A yogurt a day keeps the doctor away ! :Ticino, iYogurt House, Yogurt Me, Just Yogurt

Ticino

www.chococheese.com.tw
Factory service number: (08) 0080-0117 (bilingual service available)

Swiss chef Peter Frauchiger, a resident of Taiwan since 1992, established the Ticino brand about three years ago to allow Taiwanese consumers to taste authentic homemade dairy products. Although Peter's dairy factory, ChocoCheese, originally set out to make cheese, it has diverted its focus to yogurt-based products. Many people are accustomed to sugary yogurts, but Peter believes the appeal of Ticino products lies in their natural flavor and freshness, as they are free of preservatives, additives and starch, and contain little or no sugar. Ticino's Swiss-style scooping Plain Yogurt (NT$55) is homemade with fresh milk and yogurt culture. It is an ideal ingredient for curries or as replacement for calorie-laden mayonnaise in salad dressing. Ticino's pudding-sized Flavored Yogurt (NT$40) provides healthier options for desserts or light snacks. Choose from caramel, vanilla, and mocha. Treat your taste buds to Yogi (NT$65), a yogurt drink made from fresh milk, yogurt culture and fresh fruit; it is available in a range of flavors from plain, passion-fruit, and lemon to seasonal delights like strawberry and mango. Ticino has built its reputation on preservative-free freshness, which is why its products have a shorter shelf life: 28 days for Plain Yogurt and 14 days for Yogi drinks. Ticino products are available in Jason's supermarkets throughout Taiwan, and citywide in gourmet supermarkets such as Breeze Center's Dean and Deluca, and Florida and Wendel's bakeries. --By Dipal Khatri, translated by Ann Lee, photos by Andy Lin

iYogurt House

8-5, Lane 190, ZhongShan N Rd, Sec 7
(02) 2875-6608, (02) 2872-4712
Hours: 10 am-9 pm
http://iyogurt.com.tw
Credit cards not accepted.
No service charge.
MRT: ShiPai Station

Experience the versatility of yogurt at iYogurt, a bright and pleasant cafe based on the LOHAS (Lifestyles of Healthy and Sustainability) concept. Around 70 percent of the items on the menu are homemade with natural ingredients, including the yogurt, which is made using Natren Yogurt Starter. iYogurt imports and sells Natren products from the U.S., and encourages customers to learn about the benefits of yogurt, as well as how to make their own. The creamy texture of plain yogurt blends well with sauce (NT$90), nuts (NT$100), or organic fruit (NT$120). An advocate of healthy living, owner Ben Roan's vision is to expand iYogurt into a chain reputed for its combination of nutrition with natural preparation. One can taste the goodness of Taiwan's seasonal organic fruits with a glass of fresh Yogurt Juice (NT$120) or the popular Pita with Salad (NT$100)--wholesome local produce drizzled with yogurt sauce--while perusing the cafe's collection of books and magazines. Herbal teas and Lavazza coffee (NT$80-100) are also available. During summer, sit outdoors and savor iYogurt's specialty Frozen Yogurt (NT$80), which comes in four refreshing flavors, including pineapple and mango. Grab a glass of Plain or Frozen Yogurt to go (NT$70-80) or use iYogurt's delivery service, which is free for TianMu and NT$150 for deliveries under NT$1,000 outside TianMu. --By Dipal Khatri, translated by Ann Lee

Yogurt Me

ZhongXiao Branch
4, Alley 27, Lane 216, ZhongXiao E Rd, Sec 4
(02) 8771-4210
Hours: 11:30 am-10:30 pm,
Fri & Sat 11:30 am-11:30 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
www.yogurtme.com.tw

Yogurt Me uses specialized, patented technology to culture their yogurt, which makes the sweet treat extremely fresh and tasty. Because the culture is still active when it is sold, the store recommends eating the yogurt within 20 minutes of purchase for the best taste. The smooth texture and fresh seasonal ingredients leave no question as to why the store is popular with so many people. Their menu selections include desserts, beverages and some light snacks. Currently, you'll find three flavors--plain, Japanese green tea (mocha), and chocolate. After choosing a base, you can also add ingredients like fruit, coco puffs, and cornflakes. For a drinkable treat, try a smoothie (NT$105); flavors include the Energetic Day Smoothie, Leisure Day Smoothie, and Apple Cheeks Day Smoothie. You may also opt to add additional ingredients to make it higher in fiber or calcium. A creative snack selection on the menu is their Tuna Sandwich with Yogurt Sauce (NT$90), a light dish that's popular with regulars. --By Josie Wu, translated by Ann Lee

Just Yogurt

11, SungKao Rd, B2 (ESLITE XinYi Store, B2)
Tel: (02)5559-9282, ext. 1960

Just Yogurt's healthy Australian-style yogurt creations explode with the natural sweetness of fresh fruit and jam dressing. Just Yogurt uses a Greek recipe to produce luxuriously thick, homemade yogurt made with natural ingredients like milk powder, yogurt culture, and acidophilus; they ensure the product is 99.9% fat free and has no preservatives, thickeners, sugar, gelatin, or extra cream added. Just Yogurt monitors the daily pH level of its yogurt to ensure the yogurt is fresh and the taste is suitable for customers. The transparent counter displays a rainbow-like array of fresh fruit such as melons, grapes, oranges, bananas, kiwis, apples and passion fruit. Fruity Yogurt (NT$95) offers a choice of up to two types of fruit, layered with natural yogurt and is topped with a dressing of fruit, homemade jam and jelly. The flavors of both the jam and yogurt are changed seasonally. Skinny Yogurt (NT$65), a mini version of Fruity Yogurt, is ideal for dessert and comes in an Oreo flavor, too. During the current strawberry season, customers who purchase a strawberry Skinny Yogurt can buy a second one for only NT$10. Other healthy and delectable items include Drinking Yogurt (NT$95), which is fresh fruit blended with plain yogurt, and Just Yogurt (NT$120), a scoop of natural yogurt surrounded by four types of fruit and topped with jam. During summer, Just Yogurt will introduce Pancakes with Yogurt and Absolutely Yogurt (NT$95), a yogurt drink for people of all ages. --By Dipal Khatri, translated by Ann Lee