Monday, June 30, 2014

My Yogurtland Spoon Collection is Complete


Fro-yo girl here. I can finally call my Yogurtland spoon collection complete. My first visit to Yogurtland was the Cupertino, CA location in 2008 and the spoons were plain white. At some point that location did have the clear green and pink spoons with the old Yogurtland logo, but I didn’t live close by and didn’t know about the clear spoons until several years later. 

The first Yogurtland spoons that I remember had the old Yogurtland logo but otherwise looked like the current green and pink spoons. The early clear spoons were last spotted in 2009 around the same time I got my first Yogurtland logo spoons: http://froyogirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-love-yogurtlands-signature-spoon.html

Thanks Yogurtland (especially Terrence and Charlotte)!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Jeni’s Summer Book Tour: Urban Radish Stop





Fro-yo girl here. I’ve mentioned Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in several blog posts because Jeni’s makes crazy good frozen yogurt: http://froyogirl.blogspot.com/2014/05/jenis-splendid-ice-creams-chicago-scoop.html

Jeni recently released her second cookbook, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Desserts, and is touring the country to demonstrate her recipes, share her ice cream and sign her cookbooks. It was an honor to meet the queen of artisan ice cream, Jeni (Britton Bauer) today and sample some Manchego cheese ice cream with sauteed stone fruit. The event took place today at Urban Radish, a new community market that emphasizes fresh, local, quality ingredients and products in downtown LA. 

Jeni talked about both her cookbooks. The first one was inspired to getting the texture and body right for ice cream made at home. The second one has more bases to play with including frozen custard, soft serve and creme sans lait (a dairy free base that took a year to develop). We watched as she made Manchego ice cream and answered questions from the audience. She explained the science behind her recipe and even told us perfecting ice cream scooping and the best scoop to use. We were invited to take some freestyling cards, the cards suggest different desserts that can be made with the recipes in her book like German chocolate cake and strawberry almond cake.

I was amazed when she said that her favorite recipe is her frozen yogurt recipe. Yes, frozen yogurt is her favorite! I asked how to adapt the soft serve recipe for froyo and she suggested substituting yogurt for the buttermilk in her buttermilk soft serve recipe.

The new book has several frozen yogurt recipes (bergamot, fresh ginger, fresh peach, huckleberry, mango lassi) and even a frozen skyr recipe that I’m eager to try. Plus I need to make the mochi cake! The pictures are drool inducing.

Information about the book tour can be found on Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream website:http://jenis.com/cookbooks/book-tour-page-ii/

The next stop is Portland, OR.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.


Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Blue Bunny Mint Chocolate Chip Froyo Review


Fro-yo girl here. Albertson’s had several flavors of frozen yogurt: White Mint Chocolate Chunk, Caramel Praline Crunch and Vanilla Bean. The White Mint Chocolate Chunk, described as white mint frozen yogurt loaded with chocolate chunks sounded the most appealing.

* White Mint Chocolate Chunk: I liked how the mint flavor was refreshing and natural tasting. Also I enjoyed the abundance of small chocolate chunks. The chocolate wasn’t waxy. The frozen yogurt was firm and creamy but not quite as rich and dense as a super premium ice cream. It was sweet with little yogurt flavor. There are 130 calories and 4g of total fat per serving.

Their frozen yogurt products are all natural with live and active cultures. Each tub was 1.75 quarts and $4.99 at Albertson’s.

4 out of 5 stars.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Behind the Scenes of the Critics Choice TV Awards (Yes Froyo is Involved)



Fro-yo girl here. I enjoyed several cups of Yogurtland froyo (Madagascar Vanilla Bean, the new Peanut Butter Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel Pecan) at the 4th Annual Critics’ Choice TV Awards (CCTA) thanks to Yogurtland. The event took place at the Beverly Hilton yesterday (June 19).

* The Froyo Angle: Yogurtland’s mini-store featured four flavors (Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet, Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Peanut Butter Cookies & Cream, Salted Caramel Pecan) and a toppings bar (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, Yogurtland sprinkles, Oreos, chocolate chips, mini chocolate caramel cups). It was self-serve. Yogurtland also brought along giant froyo spoons (identical to their pink and green spoons only much larger) and included YL cards in the gift bags. Someone from the cast of Archer, which won best animated series, was spotted eating raspberry lemonade sorbet with a giant green Yogurtland spoon.

* What happened the day before the awards: Guests were invited to the gifting suite. The Yogurtland mini-store was ready to provide froyo and toppings.

* Arriving at the event: Celebrities pull up in limos are are escorted to the red carpet, which was set up inside the hotel lobby. You needed press credentials to stand by the red carpet to take pictures. Regular folks with invitations (critics, sponsors) milled around the lounge and VIP areas where drinks and appetizers were served before the show.

* Dinner and the award show: The event is intimate, with celebrities, producers, writers and the TV talent sitting at tables close to the stage and sponsors and critics sitting around the outer perimeter. Seats are assigned with nice full color programs on each seat. The programs list the nominations, network ads that congratulate nominees and sponsor ads. Dinner consisted of finger sandwiches, sweets, and champagne. We sat with Yogurtland and met the franchisees of the year.

* Post show: There was a post show party in the VIP lounge with coffee, drinks, sweets (cookies, cake pops, macarons) and appetizers. Froyo was still available (and during commercial breaks, anyone could dart over for froyo). Since all the food served as finger food, froyo was the most satisfying and delicious food option. Thanks Yogurtland!!! #CriticsChoice #Yogurtland


You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Elli Quark Review



Fro-yo girl here. What is quark? Quark is a German style fresh curd milk cheese. Elli Quark “is a spoonable fresh cheese with a creamy texture similar to Greek yogurt, but with a richer, less sour taste. It also has a better protein-to-carb ratio than Greek yogurt, with high protein and no added sugars.” Elli Quark comes in 6 oz cups in Strawberry, Lemon, Red Velvet, Pineapple and Plain.

* Lemon: The lemon flavoring comes from lemon juice concentrate and lemon pulp cells. It’s not a very lemony tasting cheese. It’s more mild and not as sour as Greek yogurt but (1) I like the sourness of Greek yogurt and (2) quark is bland. Not only is Elli Quark bland but it has a bitter artificial flavor (possibly because of the use of Stevia). The flavor is not richer than Greek yogurt. It’s slightly sweet, slighty tangy and slightly sour. It doesn’t have a cheesy flavor - or the flavor is like sour cream.

The lemon Elli Quark had no fat and was 80 calories. I was surprised that it contained additional stabilizers and thickening agents: pectic and locust bean gum. Elli Quark does have live and active cultures. You should be able to find it at Whole Foods. They plan to come out with 7 new flavors this summer.

I found Elli Quark at Lassen’s for $2.49 each. Quark isn't as common as Greek yogurt or skyr but I like Greek yogurt and skyr much better.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.


* LASSEN'S NATURAL FOODS & VITAMINS: 4071 E Main St., Ventura, CA 93003

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Yogurtland Sponsors the 4th Annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards


Fro-yo girl here. The 4th Annual Critics’ Choice TV Awards (CCTA) takes place tomorrow, June 19th, at the Beverly Hilton. Cedric the Entertainer will host and awards will be given out to the best TV shows and performers. Ryan Murphy will receive the Louis XIII Genius Award.

Most importantly, Yogurtland is a sponsor so guests will have access to the Yogurtland mini store, which includes four flavors of froyo and a toppings bar. Yogurtland’s two newest froyo flavors will be on tap along with two of their most beloved flavors.

Froyo flavors:
  • Raspberry lemonade sorbet
  • Madagascar vanilla bean
  • Peanut butter cookies & cream
  • Salted caramel pecan

I’ll be there (probably hovering around the Yogurtland mini store) to report on the action (with a focus on froyo). Read my live tweets at @froyogirl and read Yogurtland’s live tweets at @yogurtland #Yogurtland #CriticsChoice

Thanks Yogurtland!!!

Watch the show on the CW (June 19, 8 PM ET/ 8 PM PT). Red carpet coverage begins at 6 PM ET.

Here’s a list of the presenters:
  • Adam Pally
  • Angie Harmon
  • Carrie Brownstein
  • Christina Applegate
  • Colin Hanks
  • Colton Haynes
  • Danielle Brooks
  • Demian Bichir
  • Diane Kruger
  • Elisabeth Moss
  • Emmy Rossum
  • Fred Armisen
  • Gina Rodriguez
  • Isaiah Washington
  • Jim Parsons
  • Josh Dallas
  • Kat Graham
  • Kathy Griffin
  • Kunal Nayyar
  • Laura Prepon
  • Lizzy Caplan
  • Matthew Rhys
  • Max Greenfield
  • Natasha Lyonne
  • Scott Aukerman
  • Shane West
  • Tony Hale

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Father’s Day Froyo Specials



Fro-yo girl here. While there are more froyo specials for Mother’s Day than for Father’s Day, there are still plenty of places you can take your froyo loving dad for a Father’s Day froyo deal. Here’s a list of froyo shops offering deals on Father’s Day:

  • Froyo World: 50% off for dads
  • Go Greek: 20% off for dads
  • Monster Yogurt (Dallas & Richardson, TX): All costumed characters get 4 ounces free 
  • Orange Leaf Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville, Richmond, Ashland, Somerset, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Danville & Pikeville): 8 ounces free for dad
  • Orange Leaf (New Albany & Clarksville): 8 ounces free for dad
  • Summersweet: 8 ounces free for dad
  • Suzy’s Swirl: Dads swirl free from 11 AM - 4 PM
  • TCBY: Free cup for dad 
  • Toppings NY: Free froyo for dad
  • Trugurt: Buy one, get dad’s free - mention Instagram offer
  • Tutti Frutti Fargo, ND: Free cup for dad (up to 12 ounces)
  • UU Yogurt: Free cup for dad (up to 10 ounces) 
  • Yogen Fruz Canada: Buy one cup, get a cup free for dad
  • Yogurty’s: Buy one cup, get one free for dad
  • Wakaberry: 20% off of dad’s cup
P.S. Happy Father’s Day to my froyo loving dad!

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Yasso Peanut Butter Cup Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars Review




Fro-yo girl here. Back in May 2012, I tried Yasso’s Raspberry Greek Frozen Yogurt Bars: http://froyogirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/yasso-frozen-greek-yogurt-bars-review.html and I found them to be lacking in flavor. Yasso released five new flavors in February 2014: Peanut Butter Cup, Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Fudge, Dark Chocolate Raspberry and Sea Salt Caramel. The bars are made with Greek yogurt and all natural ingredients.

* Peanut butter cup: These are tastier than the Raspberry Yasso bars I tried in 2012. The best part was the thin chocolate shell that covered the top half of the bar. It’s a crisp shell that tastes like good chocolate, not the yucky waxy chocolate shells one sometimes encounters. The peanut butter part was firm and light. It wasn’t icy but I wish it were creamier. The peanut butter flavor is mild and there isn’t much yogurt flavor. It’s sweet but not too sweet. I liked how it tasted lighter. The chocolate shell fell off...I wish the shell covered the entire bar. One bar was 130 calories with 6 gms of fat.

Each box comes with 4 60 g bars. I found Yasso on sale at Von’s for $3.99 ($4.99 regular price).

4 out of 5 stars.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Yogurtland New Flavors Arrive: Peanut Butter Cookies & Cream, Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet




Fro-yo girl here. It’s that time again - new flavors have arrived at Yogurtland. Meet Peanut Butter Cookies & Cream and Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet. Both are made with real ingredients, like all Yogurtland froyo flavors.

* Peanut butter cookies & cream: “What culinary dreams are made of. Imagine dipping the world’s most beloved cookie into real creamy, dark-roasted peanut butter. Well dream no further, it’s here and just as good as you imagined.” It tasted like equal parts peanut butter froyo and cookies & cream froyo. You could taste both. Like their standalone peanut butter froyo flavor, the pb flavor is not intense. The texture was dense, smooth and creamy.
* Raspberry lemonade sorbet: “Sweet, bright, light and tart. Real lemon and real Northwestern raspberries come together for the most refreshing drink ever to be enjoyed with a spoon.” This was sweeter and less tangy than I expected. The lemonade flavor was dominant. I prefer really tangy lemonade.

Both flavors are available while supplies last. They didn’t have any new toppings but they did have several peanut toppings on hand: chopped peanuts, mini Nutter Butter cookies and Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch (bought by mistake and it happens to go well w/pb froyo). 

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Dannon Oikos Greek Frozen Yogurt Review




Fro-yo girl here. Back in late 2011 I reviewed the new Stonyfield Oikos Organic Frozen Greek Yogurt line. I tried the honey flavor and gave it a generous 3 stars. It was sold in a one pint size in six flavors: Peach Mango, Superfruits, Vanilla, Honey, Blueberry and Chocolate. I didn’t like the frozen yogurt much so I didn’t buy it again.

Oikos Frozen Greek Yogurt is back with John Stamos as the spokesperson. It’s been renamed, with Dannon replacing the Stonyfield name. It’s no longer organic. It’s available in a one pint size in six flavors: Strawberry, Cafe Latte, Vanilla, Black Cherry, Chocolate, Key Lime

* Key lime: It’s very firm, so leave it out for a few minutes before scooping. I liked how the texture was firm, thick and creamy; it was similar the texture of ice cream. It was sweet and not tart/tangy. The aftertaste was sweet. I found the flavor pleasant but I prefer a tangier key lime flavor.

One serving has 150 calories, 3g of fat per serving and live and active cultures. I found Dannon Oikos Greek Frozen Yogurt at Von’s on sale for $3.49 (regular price $4.99).

3.5 out of 5 stars.

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Announcing the Creative Froyo Flavor Awards Contest for Froyo Shops



Fro-yo girl here. Calling all froyo shops with creative froyo flavors. The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) and FrozenDessertSupplies.com’s “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest is looking for the best, most creative froyo flavors. Contest winners will receive a prize package of frozen yogurt supplies from FrozenDessertSupplies.com

The “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest recognizes and promotes frozen yogurt shops that create their own unique, creative flavors. All submitted froyo flavors will be judged by a panel of frozen yogurt experts for creativity and appeal. The experts will pick the top 5 flavors and the public will vote on the final five flavors.


The “Creative Froyo Flavor Awards” contest is open to all frozen yogurt stores in the US. Up to two entries (two flavors) are allowed per shop. 

For additional information about the contest, visit the IFYA Facebook page and the official rules. The deadline for submitting flavors is June 23rd. The contest starts on June 2.

THE PRIZES

Grand Prize Winner (~$400 value)
  • Any 2 Cases of Cups (600 – 1000 cups/case depending on size)
  • Any 2 Cases of Spoons (1000 spoons/case)
  • Any 2 Cases of Lids (600 – 1000 lids/case depending on size)

2nd Place Winner (~$200 value)
  • Any 1 Case of Cups (600 – 1000 cups/case depending on size)
  • Any 1 Case of Spoons (1000 spoons/case)
  • Any 1 Case of Lids (600-1000 lids/case depending on size)
You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

About the International Frozen Yogurt Association

The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) serves as an unbiased source of support and information for current and prospective frozen yogurt store operators. The Association works to set and promote standards to elevate the quality of frozen yogurt stores and recognizes those that meet the Swirl of Honor™ standards of the industry. IFYA represents frozen yogurt shops, suppliers and consumers across the world. Their audience is diverse in background yet united by a common love of frozen yogurt. Visit the IFYA website, http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/, for additional information.

About FrozenDessertSupplies.com

FrozenDessertSupplies.com strives to be the #1 online supplier of products to frozen yogurt, ice cream and the gelato industry. We happily serve thousands of customers all across the US. We supply frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato cups, lids, spoons, souffle sample cups and much more. We pride ourselves on low prices, fast delivery and free shipping all while having the best customer service in the industry.

We have helped 1,000′s of our customers with their custom printing needs. We offer customized logo and artwork printing for our frozen yogurt cups, clear plastic smoothie cups, as well as our paper drink cups and coffee cups. We even offer customized spoons and we make the process simply and fun.

FrozenDessertSupplies.com has a simple mission, it is to enable frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato stores to have a one stop shop where they can get all their frozen dessert packaging and supplies. We consider our customers part of our family, so please come join us and be part of the family.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.