If the cute terracotta pots in the Rising Tide dairy section have caught your eye, you are not alone! These little pots belong to local yogurt manufacturer Kalypso Yogurt. Armed with a Mediterranean heritage, a desire to spread a planet-friendly consciousness and a love of great, wholesome dairy, Kalypso founder Nick Trastelis has distinguished his company in a sea of Greek yogurts. Made from all grass-fed cow’s milk, nonfat Kalypso Yogurt brings a fresh, clean, impossibly delicious product to the dairy scene.

RT: Who are the people behind Kalypso Yogurt?
KY: We are a likeminded team focused on mindfulness and living life with intention. We’re trying to redefine our food system by providing the highest-quality ingredients in a sustainable packaging with the goal of moving to a circular economy.  In other words, we give you some of the best Greek yogurt in a healthier and recyclable little pot.

RT: What was the impetus behind the creation of the company? In other words…why yogurt?
KY: Nic, our founder, is a fourth-generation dairy artisan. For him, yogurt and cheese runs deep…and it’s personal. While living in Greece he came across an article in Fortune magazine about another yogurt company that was beginning to lay a foundation for Greek yogurt here in the U.S. It was an instant challenge. He defined what Kalypso was going to stand for, its core values, and the importance of consistently communicating these values, and set out to deliver an unequaled quality of yogurt steeped in tradition. The unknown was how best to share this gift of nature.

RT: What makes Kalypso different from other Greek yogurt out there? 
KY: All of Kalypso’s products are crafted from pasture-fed Jersey milk, no artificial growth hormones, non-GMO’s, and packaged in a healthier terracotta pot.  The benefit here is that milk of Jerseys is naturally higher in essential nutrients, containing more vitamins and an array of antioxidants. Our packaging is an inert material and is healthier than plastic or glass containers that leech harmful chemicals and allow UV lighting to breakdown all of the above into a non-nutritious snack.

RT: How important is it for you to source ingredients locally? Why/why not?
KY: Keeping our money where our heart is, is very important to us. Sourcing locally grown ingredients is an investment in the future. By supporting our local farms we are helping to ensure that there will be farms in our community tomorrow. This is hugely important for our food security.

RT: What’s one fun thing most people don’t know about Kalypso Yogurt?  
KY: The name Kalypso is derived from Greek mythology. Kalypso was a sea nymph in Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey”. She used her powers to enchant Odysseus (the hero) and kept him under her spell for most of his stay on the island. Our tag line is “seductively delicious.” A clever little spin, we thought!

RT: What’s the latest from Kalpyso? Anything new in the pipeline we should know about?
KY: We have recently undergone our organic certification and will slowly begin to offer that certification on all  our products. We also recently launched our line of premium finishing butters in a few amazing flavors, and these have been well received by our fans. One day very soon our dessert pods will be ready to roll out, too!

RT: When you’re not noshing on yogurt… what are you loving to eat right now? What is your top go-to (snack, drink, wellness product or other)? 
KY: Balancing a busy work schedule and maintaining a wholesome diet can be a challenge. Keeping indulgent and nutritious snacks on hand is essential. Our go-to’s right now are Baresnacks banana and coconut chips, and our own homemade watermelon and key lime kombucha. Fermentation is in our DNA!

RT: What’s your favorite recipe to make using Kalypso as an ingredient?
KY: We can’t get enough of Spanakopita, or spinach pie. It’s simply fresh spinach, leeks, house-made feta and whole milk Greek yogurt. Even with all the chopping needed for the prep, it’s well worth the effort.

 RT: So many in our community dream of starting their own local business. What’s your one piece of advice for launching a successful local biz?
KY: Our time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life… get out there and do it. Don’t ask for too many folks’ opinions, you’ll hear many reasons why not to launch. Define your passion and run with it!

Try Kalypso Yogurt in Natural Plain, Madagacar Vanilla, Carolina Peach, Mission Fig, Mixed Berries and Toasted Coconut.