Menchie’s Holiday Dessert Fair Returns with New Flavors, Part II

Fro-yo girl here. It hasn’t been easy to find the new November holiday flavors at Menchie’s even though November is almost over. Menchie’s South Pasadena rarely answers the phone and no Menchie’s in the area posts flavor updates. If I want to find the new flavors, I can usually rely on Menchie’s Huntington Oaks in Monrovia.

I finally found Spiced Gingerbread Cookie and Dark Chocolate Mousse made with almond milk.

* Dark Chocolate Mousse made with almond milk: This flavor is dairy-free (vegan). I really like almond milk and it works well here. It mutes the chocolate and gives it a slightly nutty flavor. The texture was quite creamy. Recommended toppings: Cool Whip, Ande’s Mints, Oreos

* Spiced Gingerbread Cookie: This lowfat flavor tastes more like gingerbread spices than gingerbread cookies. The spices like ginger and cinnamon are definitely noticeable but not overpowering. Recommended toppings: almonds, Heath, Magic Shell and brownies.

It looks like the December flavors won’t be arriving on December 1.

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.

21 Choices Pasadena to Reopen Next Month?

Fro-yo girl here. The white spray that they sprayed the windows of 21 Choices with has started to wear away. The building retrofit is taking forever. While there is no new sign at the location, the 21 Choices website now says, “The construction to our building seems to be finishing up! We do not have an opening date yet but are hoping to be back next month.”

Meanwhile, you can stop by and peek inside. The 21 Choices sign is still up and you can see the menu board.

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.

Jeni’s Mont Blanc Frozen Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Holiday 2016 flavors included one new frozen yogurt flavor, Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc features “toasted chestnuts and molasses with fresh organic yogurt, buttermilk, and cream.”

I know Jeni’s makes very tangy and intensely flavored frozen yogurt, so I wasn’t sure how her tangy style would work with chestnuts and molasses. The Mont Blanc buttermilk frozen yogurt is the sweetest Jeni’s frozen yogurt that I’ve tried to date. The tang isn’t there. The molasses has a deep, rich, sweet flavor that dominates this frozen yogurt. The chestnut gets lost because of the molasses. The texture was super dense, rich and creamy.

Verdict: I prefer the fruity tart frozen yogurt flavors that Jeni makes but Mont Blanc would be nice on top of pie or with a hot beverage (e.g., in an affogato).

Take advantage of Jeni’s special now through Cyber Monday: Buy 4 pints, get 2 pints in the scoop shops and online (use the code TWOFREE at checkout).

* JENI’S ICE CREAMS: Find a Jeni’s scoop shop at https://jenis.com/scoop-shops/

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.

New Yogurtland Trolls Poppy Spoon, Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel Flavor, Black Friday Special

Fro-yo girl here. Happy Black Friday! What a day – lots going on at Yogurtland. First, the Black Friday 2017 voucher booklets went on sale at participating Yogurtland locations. You get a year’s worth of yogurt (a $290 value) for $50. The booklet has one coupon for every week. Each coupon is good for 12 ozs of free yogurt good during that week only. Limit one voucher per customer per cup. The coupons can be redeemed at the locations listed in the booklet (in California, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana). It’s definitely a great deal if you are a Yogurtland regular. The booklets were selling quickly. The shop was supposed to open at 11 AM and people were asking about the booklets starting at 8 AM.

Yesterday was supposed to be the first day for the new Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel flavor. However, most Yogurtland locations were closed yesterday. 

Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel froyo is described as “If you thought peanut butter couldn’t get any better, think again. We swirled dark roasted peanuts with real caramel for a deliciously sticky situation that even Branch can’t help but get excited about.” The flavor is low-fat and gluten free. I could taste the peanuts and the caramel. The caramel had a buttery flavor. It seemed like the caramel flavor was stronger but that might be because I prefer peanut butter. Recommended toppings: peanuts, raspberry puree, Nilla wafers, mini Nutter Butters and peanut butter sauce…inspired by PB&J.

I also picked up the new Poppy spoon. It’s a bit hard to see her features (the imprint is light) and the back of the spoon is plain. The spoons and new flavor are available while supplies last.

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.

Black Friday Froyo Specials at Yogurtland

Fro-yo girl here. Some Yogurtland locations (Bakersfield, Chino Hills, Monrovia, Pasadena/Lake, Rancho Cucamonga, San Ramon) have announced Black Friday specials. They’re selling the 2017 Voucher Booklet (a $290 value) for $50. The first 25 guests will be able to purchase the booklet for $25 at certain (but not all) locations. The booklets will be available while supplies last. Voucher booklets only available with yogurt purchase. The vouchers are only good at the location where they are purchased.

There will be giveaways for the first 50 guests at select locations. I’ll be there for sure and I’ll report back with pictures of the vouchers. 

Here's the list of participating locations:

California

• Almaden
• Bakersfield
• Bishop Ranch
• Burbank
• Campbell
• Capitola
• Carson
• Century City
• Chino Hills
• Dana Point
• Escondido
• Fair Oaks
• Fullerton Downtown
• Huntington Beach 5 Point
• Inglewood
• Irvine Spectrum
• Miracle Mile
• Mission Viejo
• Monrovia
• Montebello
• Morgan Hill
• Mountain View
• Murrieta
• Newport Beach
• Pasadena Lake Ave.
• Rancho Cucamonga
• San Ramon
• Santa Ana
• Stockton
• Watsonville
• Westgate

Colorado

• Cherrywood Square
• Denver 5th & Grant
• Governor's Plaza
• Northridge Center

Louisiana

• Lafayette
• LSU
• New Orleans
• Towne Center, Baton Rouge

Washington

• Bear Creek Plaza
• Bellevue
• Kent
• Lynwood
• Sammanish

P.S. Your local Yogurtland is likely going to be closed on Thanksgiving and they might be closing early on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

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.

Customer Appreciation Weekend at Yogurtland

Fro-yo girl here. This is Customer Appreciation Weekend at multiple Yogurtland locations in Southern California. The participating locations are:

• Fullerton
• UCI
• Alhambra
• Lakewood
• Shops at Rossmor/Seal Beach
• Gateway Downey
• South Gate
• Edinger Plaza/Huntington Beach
• Genesee Plaza/San Diego

The first 25 guests each day will receive 5 oz of free yogurt. You get a small cup which you can fill up with however much froyo and toppings will fit – for free. Thanks Yogurtland!

On Saturday, November 19th the special is a $5 unlimited cup. On Sunday, November 20th the special is a buy one, get one free offer. Some locations like Downey have other promotions like contests for best unlimited cups and giveaways.

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.

Humphrey Yogart Reopens in Sherman Oaks

Fro-yo girl here. Humphrey Yogart first opened in Sherman Oaks in February 1984. In March of this year, they closed their doors when they couldn't come to an agreement with their new landlord. Froyo fans were understandably devastated but this story has a happy ending. The owners, Jim and Paula Sheftel, looked for a new location and they found one in the same shopping center as their original shop. The two met and fell in love at the shop and they were both there on opening day, making yogart (so cute).

The new Humphrey Yogart is located inside Gelson’s grocery store. Thank you, Gelson’s! They started swirling at their new location today, November 18, 2016. Look for their kiosk at the front of Gelson’s.

The menu still provides many options but they no longer offer soups, sandwiches and coffee. The menu includes frozen yogurt, ice cream, shakes, sundaes, and acai bowls. Their most popular item is the blend-in style “yogart” where you choose the base of yogart (sweet vanilla, tart vanilla, chocolate), ice cream, organic soy (vegan), organic coconut (vegan) and low carb daily flavor, choose your blend in ingredients (fruit, peanut butter, nuts, green tea, cinnamon, espresso, chocolate chips, candy, cookie dough, cookie butter, brownies, cream cheese, etc.) and add a topping or cone. Your custom creation is placed in a machine and blended together.

I personally prefer the tart vanilla base because it is quite tart. It goes well with fruit and green tea.

Froyo prices: Non-fat yogart mini $3.05, small $4.05, medium $5.25, large $6.50, XL $8.05. Blend in prices start at 30 cents (the price goes up as the cup size increases).

The old stamp cards still work or ask for a new one. If you like blend-in style yogart, Humphrey’s is the place to go in the San Fernando Valley. It’s open daily from 11 AM – 11 PM.

I looked over at the old location. The building is still standing but it’s completely vacant and the façade/exterior has been removed. It looks like the entire building is being renovated. There was a sign for the Burger Lounge which must be moving in.

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

* HUMPHREY YOGART: 4520 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

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.

DreamWorks Animation Trolls Inspired Flavors at Yogurtland: DJ Suki’s Cranberry Raspberry Tart & Biggie’s Frosted Cookie

Fro-yo girl here. The Yogurtland Celebrates Trolls promotion continues with a new limited time flavors, DJ Suki’s Cranberry Raspberry Tart (released on November 10) and Biggie’s Frosted Cookie (released on November 17.

Unless I’m mistaken, Cranberry Raspberry Tart isn’t a brand new flavor. It often shows up around this time of year as a special holiday flavor. Cranberry Raspberry Tart was first introduced in 2011.

Biggie’s Frosted Cookie is brand new. This lowfat flavor is described as: “Biggie is a huge softie when it comes to frosted cookies. Real shortbread cookies with the rich flavor of buttercream frosting make for the tastiest cookie that has ever been enjoyed by the spoonful. It’s so good, even Mr. Dinkles can’t resist.”

Yogurtland usually has excellent cookie flavors, so I was looking forward to trying Frosted Cookie. I was pleasantly surprised by the light blue color. The flavor is pretty sweet like a sugar cookie with buttercream frosting. It tasted more like the frosting than the cookie. For me it was a miss because it was just sweet on sweet sugar without much else going on. Recommended toppings: Butterfinger, Cap’n Crunch, peanuts and peanut butter sauce.

The next new flavor is Branch’s Peanut Butter Caramel on November 24. I know several peanut butter froyo fans who are excited to try it. The new Trolls spoon will also be released next week.

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.

Baklava Froyo, Froyo Topped with Baklava

Fro-yo girl here. Did you know that today is National Baklava Day? Baklava is good on its own – the papery thin layers of filo pastry, chopped nuts and honey or sugar syrup – but it is dense, sweet and rich.

Baklava happens to be the perfect froyo topping, for plain froyo. It’s not as sweet or rich when paired with a light, tangy froyo. I became obsessed with baklava topped froyo when I had it at Souvla in San Francisco. Mini-chain, Yalla, also serves plain Greek froyo with baklava in Northern and Southern California. And it’s been spotted at the Pago cart and GRK in NYC, Yiaourtaki in Greece and Blu Spoon in Australia.

Turkey Hill had a baklava flavored froyo but I never had a chance to try it. Turkey Hill isn’t available in California, I think.

I found a recipe for homemade froyo with baklava: http://www.kalofagas.ca/2013/08/02/homemade-frozen-greek-yogurt/

Check out my Pinterest board for pictures of froyo with baklava: https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/froyo-with-baklava/

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.

Gugen Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Bar Review

Fro-yo girl here. I spotted Gugen popsicles at the Plaza Market in Koreatown. Gugen bars are distributed by Wang Globalnet and are a product of Korea. Plaza Market had two flavors: Mango (without yogurt) and Blueberry Yogurt for $4.99 a box. One box contains four individually wrapped bars.

Each bar is 2.9 fl oz, 130 calories, 4.5g of total fat, and 20g of sugar. It’s gluten free, probiotic and free of artificial colors.

* Frozen blueberry yogurt bar: The bar smells good – like sweet blueberry yogurt – and that’s what it tastes like. The texture was firm (but not icy hard) and creamy. It really tastes like blueberries; there are even tiny blueberries in it. I could taste the yogurt too. The bar was tangy and very flavorful but pretty sweet (too sweet for me).

Ingredients: Milk, skim milk powder, cultures, milk cream, sugar, corn syrup, glycerin esters of fatty acids, guar gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, sodium alginate, calcium sulfate, sodium metaphosphate, potassium citrate, salt, acesulfame potassium, blueberry, blueberry flavor, yogurt powder, passion fruit, water

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

* THE PLAZA MARKET: 928 S Western Ave. #100, Los Angeles (Koreatown), CA 90006

4 out of 5 stars

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.

Menchie’s 2016 Holiday Spoon

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s is full of holiday spirit with new holiday cups and limited edition holiday spoons. The 2016 holiday spoon is red and it features Menchie in a swirly Santa hat holding a smiling gingerbread man.

The Holiday Celebration is also in full swing with four limited time flavors featured in November and four more coming in December. I’ve only seen two of the four flavors so far, Double Espresso Tiramisu and Dark Chocolate Cherry Brownie.

The November flavors are:

• Double Espresso Tiramisu: the taste of the espresso is combined with the taste of ladyfinger cookies, it’s a nice balance – not super strong coffee/espresso but sweeter and more indulgent. Recommended toppings: Nilla wafers, almonds, Cool Whip
• Dark Chocolate Cherry Brownie
• Spiced Gingerbread Cookie
• Dark Chocolate Mousse made from almond milk

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.

Yogurtland Testing New Product: Snow

Fro-yo girl here. Two Yogurtland locations (CSUF Fullerton and Lakewood, CA) are currently testing Yogurtland Snow. Yogurtland Snow is a shaved ice product. It’s made with a milky liquid that’s transformed into ice and shaved in a machine. There are currently two flavors: original sweet milk and matcha green tea. You can also choose one of their flavor creations:

* Mango madness: original snow, fresh mango, mango puree

* Strawberries & cream: original snow, fresh strawberries, strawberry puree

* The original: original snow, red beans, mochi, condensed milk

* Green tea: green tea snow, red beans, mochi, condensed milk

Order Yogurtland Snow at the counter. A team member will make the snow and your flavor creation. You’re also free to further customize your treat by adding froyo, toppings and sauces. It’s priced by weight at the same price as their yogurt and toppings.

The snow isn’t shaved with a Taiwanese style shaved snow machine (the ones that start with a block of snow that’s shaved into thin ribbons as it spins). The texture is more like a Korean style patbingsu (shaved ice). I prefer the Taiwanese style because it’s smoother and lighter. Granted, I don’t eat a lot of shaved ice or snow because I’d rather have frozen yogurt but I have had what’s considered to be the best Taiwanese snow at Class 302 and I’ve had it some other places too.

I tried the Green Tea snow with red beans, mochi and condensed milk. It’s more like a Korean style shaved ice. The texture is like tiny bits of flavored ice. It’s gritty and doesn’t have the smooth, lightness of Taiwanese snow. The green tea flavor was sweet and pleasant but I’d rather have Yogurtland’s matcha green tea froyo than their shaved ice.

I was told it was Taiwanese style snow but it’s Korean style.

After trying the Snow I filled out a survey and received a coupon for $2 off Yogurtland Snow.

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.

New DreamWorks Animation Trolls Inspired Flavor at Yogurtland: Cooper’s Caramel Apple

Fro-yo girl here. The Yogurtland Celebrates Trolls promotion continues with a new limited time flavor, Cooper’s Caramel Apple.

The flavor is described as “Taste one spoonful of our buttery caramel apple flavor and you’ll know why Cooper has a smile permanently plastered on his face. With the sweetness of real caramel blended with real Granny Smith apples, it’s like eating a caramel apple in every bite.” It’s lowfat and gluten free.

I’ve never had a caramel apple before (I know that I wouldn’t like it), but I can imagine what it would taste like. I also don’t like caramel as it tends to be too sweet. While I didn’t find Yogurtland’s Cooper’s Caramel Apple to be too sweet, it tasted like a mild caramel with a tiny hint of apple. I could barely taste the apple. I was expecting more of a sour-sweet flavor. The texture was smooth and creamy. Recommended toppings: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, mochi, salted caramel sauce

The next featured flavor is DJ Suki’s Cranberry Raspberry Tart, which starts swirling on November 3. I’ve had it before and it’s yummy.

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.

Pinkberry Introduces New Holiday Flavor, Peppermint Cookies & Cream

Fro-yo girl here. It feels like it’s been a looong time since Pinkberry has introduced a new flavor, probably because I tried their newer items over a year ago, while they were still in the test market stage (e.g., Pinkbee’s, Just Fruit). It’s exciting to see a “new” flavor for the holiday season, Peppermint Cookies & Cream. Cookies & Cream always sounds good and I also liked Pinkberry Peppermint.

* Peppermint Cookies & Cream: It’s sweet and it tastes like chocolate cookies with a strong mint flavor. It’s not as creamy as other sweet frozen yogurt brands but it’s not icy or watery either – the correct description is that the texture is lighter. I was reminded of their Mint Chocolate Cookie flavor which had tiny bits of chocolate cookies and tasted like Thin Mint cookies. I think I prefer the Mint Chocolate Cookie to Peppermint Cookies & Cream.

Peppermint Cookies & Cream is available through January 3, 2017. They also have a holiday creation, Peppermint Cookies & Cream frozen yogurt topped with cookies n’ cream, candy cane pieces and drizzled with chocolate.

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.

Menchie’s Holiday Celebration Brings New & Returning Flavors

Fro-yo girl here. Remember last year’s Menchie’s Holiday Dessert Fair? This year the holiday promotion is called Holiday Celebration. There will be four holiday flavors swirling at Menchie’s in November and four more flavors coming out in December. The November flavors are:

• Double Espresso Tiramisu
• Dark Chocolate Cherry Brownie: This lowfat flavor was introduced during 2015’s Holiday Dessert Fair. It’s a rich dark chocolate flavored with real cherries. You can really taste the cherries though the chocolate flavor is stronger. 
• Spiced Gingerbread Cookie
• Dark Chocolate Mousse made from almond milk

They also have a limited time holiday promotion on gift cards, buy $25 of gift cards and get a $5 gift card. I spotted some festive holiday cups with Menchie and friends in their holiday garb. There will be a limited edition holiday spoon too – coming out later this month.

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.

Future Froyo Shop Picture: Menchie’s Glendale

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve been watching this space for months. It’s a new looking building in downtown Glendale that has space for a few businesses. The Menchie’s signs are finally in the windows. The yoga studio next door has opened.

Menchie’s signed a ten year lease. I’ll keep watching the space (I always pass it on the way to Glendale Galleria/the Americana).

* MENCHIE’S: 251 N Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203

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.