On Principle, We Wanted to Hate This 'Cold Brew' Yogurt Shop

What could be a bigger trend in Beijing than fancy specialty coffee? Why pricey healthy superfoods, of course. BlueGlass Yogurt, a bright and inviting shop tucked in a mall on the north end of the CBD is dabbling with a novel item that piqued our curiosity during a recent visit: cold-brewed yogurt (priced at RMB 36 per cup). Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Well, it's actually pretty good.

Cold brew, a chilled preparation method typically associated with coffee is now being used on yogurt. How exactly? The staff at BlueGlass extract more of the whey (the watery, cloudy substance you get after straining thick yogurts and cheeses) than your average yogurt, before chilling it for ten hours.

The result: fat and sugar contents are lowered and the overall nutritional value gets a boost. For those of us who put a premium on flavor and texture over healthiness, this yogurt does not disappoint. The cup we ordered was subtly rich and thick enough to warrant a spoon rather than the straw that accompanies the sugary, runny gunk that often passes for yogurt at your average Chinese supermarket. The mixed berry jam topping makes for a light and sour finish that sealed the deal and made this yogurt a refined treat that doesn’t feel indulgent.

The shop is also set up like a café, with simple wooden tables and chairs and plenty of greenery placed throughout for an appealing atmosphere that is furthered by a selection of teas (RMB 30 for jasmine or RMB 35 for black), honey milk (RMB 37), and a range of fruit-topped yogurts (RMB 50 per cup). Together those options make BlueGlass Yogurt a fine alternative to guilt-triggering ice cream parlors or a suitable dessert stop once you've got your caffeine fill elsewhere.

Read: Healthy Yogurt Drinks from Lepur at Nali Patio

BlueGlass Yogurt
Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm. 1/F, Fortune Shopping Center, Courtyard 7, East Third Middle Ring Road, Chaoyang District
北京市朝阳区东三环中路7号院7号楼财富购物中心1层1-01

Photos courtesy of BlueGlass