Press Brothers Juicery Introduces Coconut Milk Soft Serve

Fro-yo girl here. Plant based vegan soft serve seems like the perfect treat on a hot day. It’s light and refreshing. I was walking through Grand Central Market in downtown LA when I saw the big sign for Press Brothers Juicery’s Coconut Milk Soft Serve.

Press Brothers is Los Angeles owned and operated. They specialize in cold pressed juice which you can find at Grand Central Market and other locations throughout LA. The Grand Central Market shop also has frozen slushies, popsicles and now, Coconut Milk Soft Serve.

PBJ’s soft serve is vegan, organic, gluten free, soy free and probiotic. They add a six strain blend. It’s $4 for a four oz cup. They only had the one Madagascar Vanilla flavor though apparently they do have a chocolate flavor too. Toppings choices are limited to sprinkles, coconut flakes and cacao nibs.

* Madagascar Vanilla Coconut Milk Soft Serve: The cup looked small but 4 oz is a good amount of froyo. I’m not sure how much sugar was added but it was pretty sweet. The texture was smooth but icy. The flavor was not unpleasant but I’d definitely call it subtle. The vanilla flavor was subtle and the whole treat didn’t have a lot of flavor. It was light and refreshing though, without tasting overly processed. And I liked the crunchy, flavorful cacao nibs. I prefer the flavor of Pressed Freeze but PBJ’s soft serve has a smoother texture but the best vegan soft serve by far is from Yoga-urt (1407 W Kenneth Rd, Glendale, CA 91201).

Look for a new location opening in Hollywood (Franklin Plaza).

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

* PRESS BROTHERS JUICERY: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

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.

Morinaga ALOVE Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. Morinaga introduced a new Japanese style yogurt called ALOVE Yogurt at Natural Products EXPO West in March 2017. The new line of yogurt comes in three flavors: Original Aloe, Strawberry and Blueberry. It’s the first Japanese style aloe vera yogurt offered in the US. 

Morinaga describes their yogurt as “a delicious and nutritious, kosher-certified yogurt snack that offers a good source of protein and calcium, with no artificial flavors. Made in the U.S. from locally sourced California milk, the product contains zero high-fructose corn syrup, is gluten-free and does not contain aloin. ALOVE is made via Morinaga’s proprietary process; fresh aloe is removed from the aloe plant leaves, leaving only the best and tastiest parts, and then mixed into creamy yogurt.” 

The key selling point of this yogurt is the addition of aloe, which is considered by some to have many health benefits, such as supporting digestion and the immune system, promoting hair growth, lowering cholesterol and detoxification. Aloe drinks have become more popular and it’s sometimes added to tea drinks at Asian boba shops. 

I found ALOVE Yogurt at Good Fortune Supermarket in Monrovia, CA. They had all three flavors. One 6 oz cup was $1.48 on sale, $1.99 regular price. ALOVE Yogurt doesn’t appear to be strained, so it has a runny consistency. The tiny bits of aloe vera gel are soft and lightly sweet; they add texture and heft. It has live and active cultures. 

• Original aloe: This had the strongest aloe flavor, so this was the flavor that I liked the best. Aloe has a mild, sweet flavor. The yogurt was pretty tangy though not sour. One serving is 150 calories, with 4g total fat, 23g carbohydrates, 18g total sugars, and 6g of protein. 
• Blueberry: The blueberry flavor comes from blueberry juice, so it’s noticeable but not very strong. 
• Strawberry: The strawberry flavor was mild. The aloe flavor makes it a bit different. 

I wasn’t used to the thin, runny consistency. The yogurt wasn’t that different except for the aloe. If you really like aloe or believe in its health benefits, I recommend trying it. 

3.5 out of 5 stars. 

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

* GOOD FORTUNE SUPERMARKET: 935 W Duarte Rd., Monrovia, CA 91016 

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 Introduces Ice Cream for the "First" Time

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland is introducing ice cream for the first time ever. I encountered the two new flavors today. They’re classic, full fat flavors: Vanilla and Chocolate. The ice cream is soft serve and doesn’t have live and active cultures (that would make it frozen yogurt, presumably). Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream will be available for a limited time. 

Yogurtland already offered gelato, which is ice cream, but the new flavors are different. Both were rich and creamy but I found them to have less flavor than Yogurtland’s gelato and frozen yogurt flavors. The ice cream texture was different - smooth and chewy. The chocolate had cocoa flecks. Frozen yogurt is way better but you know that I’m biased. Has anyone else tried their ice cream? If so, what do you think of them?

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

Here’s the official Yogurtland press release:

Yogurtland Introduces Ice Cream for a Limited Time

Beginning August 30, Yogurtland is giving everyone’s sweet tooth a reason to rejoice with the limited time addition of premium chocolate and vanilla ice cream. The new serve yourself ice cream gives Yogurtland fans an indulgent option to create their own customized treat.

With the addition of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, Yogurtland is providing a one-stop shop for all to enjoy. Yogurtland guests can swirl up their choice of chocolate or vanilla ice cream, or both, and head over to the topping bar to build their satisfying, delicious masterpiece. With over 60 fruit, candy, cereal, nuts, cookies and other toppings to choose from, Yogurtland offers fans the chance to completely customize both their yogurt and ice cream experience with all their favorite additions.

“One of the many joys for Yogurtland fans is to build their creation to perfectly suit their taste buds,” says John Carlson, senior vice president of marketing, development and operations at Yogurtland. “Now, fro-yo fanatics and ice cream lovers alike will have the chance to do so, all under one roof at Yogurtland.”

Yogurtland’s flavorologists are continually hand crafting craveable flavors that keep fans loving their experience. Yogurtland owns its own dairy and by controlling the frozen yogurt making process, the company can deliver the highest quality flavors, setting new standards for millions of fans.

Presently Yogurtland has more than 320 locations across the U.S., Australia, Guam, Singapore, Thailand, Venezuela and Dubai.

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.

Yogurt Haven Celebrates 8 Years in Eagle Rock

Fro-yo girl here. Happy 8th anniversary to Yogurt Haven Eagle Rock. The anniversary celebration this weekend included 50% off all purchases, raffles, prizes, live music and the introduction of their new offering, Dole Whip Floats.

I went when the live band was there and the place was packed. I didn’t see or hear anything about raffles or prizes but I did see Dole Whip floats.

Yogurt Haven was the first froyo shop in Eagle Rock. It’s Boba Time opened across the street in 2014. While it’s primarily a drink shop, it does have froyo. Yogurt Haven added boba drinks even before It’s Boba Time opened, froninis (frozen yogurt pressed donut sandwiches), crepes, and floats.

Yogurtland opened in the next plaza in 2015 and then Menchie’s opened not far away this year. It’s a very competitive area for froyo. Yogurt Haven currently charges 50 cents an ounce compared to Yogurtland’s 47 cents/oz and Menchie’s 51 cents/oz.

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

* YOGURT HAVEN: 2256 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles (Eagle Rock), CA 90041

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.

Norr Skyr Review

Fro-yo girl here. Icelandic Provisions, Smari, Siggi’s and now Norr Skyr specialize in Icelandic/Nordic style yogurt, known as skyr. I stumbled upon Norr Skyr at Bi-Rite in San Francisco. It’s a San Francisco based company founded by two Scandinavians who value foods “that are authentic, clean and simple.” Norr Skyr is made with organic, grassfed milk from small American farms with curative Nordic botanicals.

All the skyr brands offer all-natural products and they all claim to have less sugar. Icelandic Provisions skyr is not certified organic but their milk is sourced from family run farms in New York which do not use growth hormones. They are the only brand to use heirloom skyr cultures from Iceland. Norr and Smari are certified organic. Norr and Icelandic Provisions focus on providing Nordic flavors, using Nordic fruits and flavors.

Siggi’s, the original brand of skyr in the US, is not certified organic but it uses milk from grassfed cows and is free of growth hormones and is all natural and non-GMO. It has more flavors, including some Nordic and some American flavors. Smari is made with organic milk from grassfed cows in Wisconsin. Their flavors are more American (key lime, strawberry, coffee) than Nordic.

Bi-Rite had four varieties of Norr for $2.49 each: plain non-fat, plain whole milk, gooseberries and elderflower. They recently introduced a new flavor, Sea Buckthorn, but I didn’t see it at Bi-Rite.

* Organic elderflower skyr: The yogurt smelled potent. I was surprised that it wasn’t as thick as the others but more like a thick soup. The texture was creamy but it did have a few small lumps. The lid said to stir before eating. The flavor was extra tart/sour and also tangy. I liked the elderflower; it was fragrant but not too floral. The yogurt definitely has less sugar and I liked the flavor but I wish it were thicker.

One serving is 5.3 oz, 100 calories, 0g of fat, 10g sugars, and 15g of protein.

Ingredients: Organic pasteurized skim milk, organic elderflower extract (water, organic elderflowers, organic lemon juice, Vitamin C), organic cane sugar, live active probiotic cultures

* Organic gooseberries skyr: The fruit was on the bottom of this one. The yogurt was thicker than the elderflower version but not as thick as Smari or Siggi’s (less straining, perhaps?). The gooseberries didn’t have a strong flavor though I could taste them. They tasted vaguely like grapes. I didn’t like the texture of the product; it was very grainy and clumpy. I think they kept the gooseberry skins. Also, the flavor wasn’t pleasant like the elderflower. I wouldn’t get it again.

One serving is 5.3 oz, 100 calories, 0g of fat, 15g of protein, and 8g of sugars.

Ingredients: Organic pasteurized skim milk, organic gooseberries, organic cane sugar, water, apple pectin, organic vanilla extract, live active probiotic cultures

Use the store locator feature on Norr’s website if you’d like to find the nearest retailer that carries their products.

3 out of 5 stars.

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

* BI-RITE: 3639 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94110

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.

First National Frozen Yogurt Survey Seeks the Input of Froyo Consumers

Fro-yo girl here. Frozen yogurt fans, the first National (US) Frozen Yogurt Survey is your chance to share your feedback about frozen yogurt with frozen yogurt shops across the country. 

This survey is open to anyone over 13 who lives in the US.

Survey participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of eight $25 froyo shop gift cards.* You can choose a gift card from any US froyo shop that sells online gift cards.
The short survey takes about 5 minutes to complete.

Take the survey now, http://tinyurl.com/nationalfroyosurvey

The survey will remain open till September 20, 2017.

Frozen yogurt shop operators and those who are interested in the survey results, the International Frozen Yogurt Association is asking for your help getting the word out about the survey. In return for your help, the IFYA will share the results of the consumer survey with you. To help, simply share IFYA's pinned Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/froyoassociation/), survey Tweet (@froyogirl) or Instagram survey post (@intlfroyoassn) by 9/13. After sharing the survey invite, send a direct message with your email address.

The frozen yogurt shop operator survey will launch in September. Anyone who completes the operator survey can sign up to receive the results of that survey. The operator survey will include questions about operations, main challenges, supplier satisfaction and more.

“We created the National Frozen Yogurt Survey to help our members and shop operators by providing them rich data that has never been available before. This is the first time a comprehensive survey of frozen yogurt consumers and shop operators has been conducted. We hope that this will become an annual survey," said Susan Linton, President of the International Frozen Yogurt Association.

For questions about the survey, please contact the International Frozen Yogurt Association at info@internationalfrozenyogurt.com

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. For complete rules, see: http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/official-rules-national-frozen-yogurt-consumer-survey-sweepstakes/
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.

Kentro (Fullerton, CA) Adds Baklava Topped Frozen Yogurt

Fro-yo girl here. When another restaurant starts offering its own housemade frozen yogurt with housemade baklava, I find it newsworthy. Kentro, a casual Greek restaurant, has been open in downtown Fullerton for several years. I learned that they recently invested in a Taylor froyo machine and started offering frozen Greek yogurt topped with housemade baklava. At the moment that’s the only froyo option they offer – one flavor with baklava and honey citrus syrup.

Kentro uses the same cup, only offers one flavor/plain and has baklava and honey as a toppings combination, so it does feel like they were inspired by Souvla, the Greek eatery in San Francisco. Being inspired by Souvla is a good thing.

* Baklava frozen Greek yogurt ($7): At Kentro, when you order the baklava frozen Greek yogurt, you get a cup of plain Greek frozen yogurt with honey citrus syrup drizzled on top and housemade crumbled baklava. It’s their own froyo recipe. I heard that they strain their own yogurt too. It wasn’t overly sweet but had a bit of sourness and tang. The frozen yogurt was good because it tasted closer to yogurt and less processed. The texture was icier and not as smooth as Souvla’s. The baklava was soft and very sweet. It must have had nuts, but I didn’t see or taste any. It tasted mostly of cinnamon. Souvla gives you more baklava and their baklava is better…but they’re in SF, so I can’t go there too often.

The restaurant is large and has an attractive, modern look. There’s a bar area where you can sit and dine. There was a lot of natural light inside. Service was very friendly. In case you’re curious, the menu includes appetizers (calamari, spanakopita, etc.), spreads (served with bread), soups, salads, flatbreads, pita sandwiches, entrees (moussaka souvlaki, brizola, etc.), sides, Greek wines, Greek coffee and desserts. Order at the counter and grab a number. They’ll bring your food and frozen yogurt to you.

P.S. Mr. Froyo recommends their dolmades. He says their the best that he’s ever had.

* KENTRO GREEK KITCHEN: 100 S Harbor Blvd. #A, Fullerton, CA 92832

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 Hope Froyo Flavor, Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland’s Hope promotion continues with the launch of a new handcrafted, limited time flavor, Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet. They describe the flavor as follows, “This unique flavor was inspired by the popular flavor combination from Mexico of fresh mango with Tajin spice and lemon. Alphonso mangos from India, cayenne red chilis, and lemon juice combine to make this flavor a delicious treat!”

Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet must be inspired by the Mexican mangoneada which is made with shaved ice or sorbet blended with fresh mango, chamoy sauce (which has tamarind) and chili powder. It’s often decorated with a tamarind straw. I think tamarind is fine in small doses but I’m not a big enough fan to want to have it all over my dessert. From what I can tell, Yogurtland’s Chili Mango Sorbet does not have tamarind.

* Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet: The mango variety that Yogurtland uses is really sweet and that’s mainly what the sorbet tastes like. The heat creeps up on you, so it’s not overwhelming but it’s definitely noticeable. It’s an interesting flavor. Traditionally you’d top it with fresh mango, chamoy, Tajin and tamarindo sticks. Recommended toppings: mango, pineapple, sour gummy worms.

A few Yogurtland locations have recently added new Froyo Loco Mexican toppings. Yogurtland’s Anaheim and Compton locations now offer chamoy, tamarindo sticks and salt & chili fruit pulps. Yogurtland Pico Rivera has chamoy sauce, Tajin and tamarindo. Yogurtland Chino Hills added tamarindo sticks. Yogurtland Claremont had chamoy sauce.

Chamoy sauce is made with pickled fruit, vinegar and chile powder, so it’s spicy, tangy, salty, sour and sweet.

Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet is available while supplies last. The next new Hope flavor is the only new tart flavor, Pear Tart, which arrives on September 4.

Remember to pick up your donation Hope cup for $1. The donations will go to three charities, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Exodus Cry and Rescuing Lives.

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.

Guest Appreciation Day at Yogurtland Claremont, August 20, 2017

Fro-yo girl here. Claremont is too far for me to be a Yogurtland Claremont regular but it isn’t too far to go for free froyo. I visited Yogurtland Claremont for the first time for Guest Appreciation Day on August 20, 2017. It's in downtown Claremont, aka Claremont Village.

They had free froyo and toppings from 11 AM – 2 PM, face painting, balloons and more from 2 PM – 5 PM, a buy two get one free special and prize wheel from 5 PM – 8 PM and $2 off, plus a raffle to win a $50 Yogurtland gift card from 8 PM – close.

This was their first Guest Appreciation Day. They first opened in August 2009. Better late than never? People who downloaded the Real Rewards app and signed up for Real Rewards received a free giant Yogurtland spoon and coupons. I already am a Real Rewards member, so I just got free froyo. 

People were pretty slow getting their froyo and toppings but Yogurtland did manage it pretty well. They greeted you, asked if you were a Real Rewards member, handed out the small 8 oz cups, and stopped the line at times, so that it wouldn’t get too crowded inside.

I saw the sign for Froyo Loco which encourages you to use their Mexican toppings and sauces but I only saw chamoy sauce.

If you can’t make it to the Guest Appreciation Day, they have a 50% off happy hour Mondays and Tuesdays in August from 1 PM – 4 PM. On Saturdays in August, they’re hosting Kids Corner, with free games, crafts and activities from 12 PM – 2 PM. There was a $5 Unlimited Cup event on August 9 that I missed.

Follow Yogurtland Claremont on Instagram, @yogurtlandclaremont or Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/YogurtlandClaremont/

Thanks for the free froyo, Yogurtland Claremont!

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

* YOGURTLAND CLAREMONT: 101 N Indian Hill Blvd Suite 103, Claremont, CA 91711

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.

Custom Shakes Now at Yogurtland Lakewood

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland Lakewood now offers custom shakes. It’s currently the only Yogurtland location to offer shakes. The shakes are $5.99 each. They’re available in one size.

The process is easy. Pick up a metal cup at the shake station and fill it to the line with frozen yogurt (you can choose any flavor/s you’re in the mood for). Then, fill the cup to the top with anything from the toppings bar, including sauces, fruits, cheesecake, candy, cereal, etc. Once the cup is full, take it to a Yogurtland employee for blending. After blending, you can add whipped cream and more toppings!

I did hear that gummy bears sometimes get caught in the blender so you might want to save those as a topping vs. use them as a blend in.

I didn’t want a very sweet shake, so I chose plain tart (one of their best flavors) and doused it with lots of raspberry puree. Their premium fruit purees are really good. I was essentially creating a raspberry tart froyo shake. For mix-ins, I selected fresh strawberries, blueberries and some Cap’n Crunch.

My shake was super thick, tart and fruity. The fruit seeds added texture. The Cap’n Crunch got lost after being blended but maybe I didn’t put enough in my cup. The cup was 20 ozs and it was filled to above the brim. I added another spoonful of Cap’n Crunch. It’s a good deal – tons of yogurt and toppings – but it’s super filling. I can’t eat over 20 ozs of froyo at once.

With so many froyo flavors, toppings, sauces and syrups, there’s room for endless creativity and customization.

P.S. Don’t forget $5 Unlimited Cup Tuesdays at Yogurtland Lakewood, August 22 & August 29 from 11 AM - 5 PM.

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

* YOGURTLAND LAKEWOOD: 5017 Lakewood Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712.

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.

What’s Going On at Cups Frozen Yogurt?

Fro-yo girl here. CUPS Frozen Yogurt, based in NJ, had 23 locations, mostly on the East Coast in 2014. They opened locations in California, in Westminster, Torrance, Northridge, Torrey Hills, and Irvine. It was in the news quite a bit in 2013 as the Hooters of frozen yogurt and was one of the fastest growing frozen yogurt franchises at the time.

CUPS is known for its club like ambiance, featuring dance music and a lounge area. People used to line up to go to CUPS, though I never saw that at the CA locations. Perhaps it was a Jersey thing?

In New Jersey, they’ve closed the following locations (most were open for 1 – 2 years):

1. Bayonne

2. Bridgewater

3. East Brunswick

4. East Hanover

5. Edison

6. Franklin

7. Freehold

8. Morristown

9. New Brunswick

10. Paramus

11. South Plainfield

The main complaints have been price, runny yogurt, loud music, cleanliness and indifferent employees.

The Torrance location closed in March 2017. It rebranded and reopened as Friza Frozen Yogurt.

The CUPS website lists 2 locations in Florida, 1 in Texas, 5 in New Jersey and 1 in New York, for a total of nine locations. Three California locations are still open as far as I can tell (Irvine, Northridge, Torrey Hills), but they are not listed on the website. The Northridge location opened in April 2015 and the Irvine location in 2016. Their Facebook page hasn’t been updated since January 2017. The last tweet was in October 2016. They’ve been updating their Instagram account regularly though. They’ve never been that active on social media but they’re quieter than ever. 

“CUPS was created and is owned/operated by The Briad Group, one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in the US. The Briad Group’s entities are: licensed franchisees for Wendy’s, TGI Fridays™, Marriott, Hilton and a licensee for Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar. The Briad Group is the largest TGI Fridays franchisee in the world.”

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 Day at Yogurtland Claremont

Fro-yo girl here. I don’t make it out to Claremont too often and I’ve never been to Yogurtland Claremont, but now I have a great reason to make the trek. Yogurtland’s Guest Appreciation Day is this Sunday, August 20, 2017.

They’ll have FREE FROYO from 11 AM – 1 PM and fun activities all day long.

If you can’t make it to the Guest Appreciation Day, Yogurtland Clarement has a 50% off happy hour Mondays and Tuesdays in August from 1 PM – 4 PM. On Saturdays in August, they’re hosting Kids Corner, with free games, crafts and activities from 12 PM – 2 PM. There was a $5 Unlimited Cup event on August 9 that I missed.

I have to build up my froyo appetite now, by not eating froyo for a few days. 

Follow Yogurtland Claremont on Instagram, @yogurtlandclaremont or Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/YogurtlandClaremont/

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

* YOGURTLAND CLAREMONT: 101 N Indian Hill Blvd Suite 103, Claremont, CA 91711

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: Bloomfield Creamery to Take Over The Blissery Space in Pasadena

Fro-yo girl here. The space that Yoguroo occupied that later became The Blissery will be occupied by yet another dessert shop. The sign is up for Bloomfield Creamery. According to the banner, Bloomfield Creamery will offer ice cream, edible cookie dough and of course, frozen yogurt.

While Pasadena has many places to get froyo, these locations are concentrated in west Pasadena. Bloomfield Creamery will serve northeast Pasadena/East Washington Village. It won’t be the first business in town to offer edible cookie dough; 21 Choices has been making its own cookie dough for years. However, I don’t think there’s a cookie dough place in east Pasadena and edible cookie dough has become the treat of 2017.

I took a peek inside and it didn’t look that different from before – the counter was still in the same place and there were tables and chairs on the left.

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

* BLOOMFIELD CREAMERY: 1727 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

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.

Innovative Soft Serve Shop Spotlight: Zooies

Fro-yo girl here. I love finding innovative froyo shops. Zooies is definitely a hidden gem. It’s inside a gas station convenience store called We Got It! They opened a few years ago in San Diego as a cookie and ice cream shop inside the We Got It! United Oil convenience store. Now they’re in LA at the We Got It! The United Oil gas station looks new and the gas prices were the lowest in the area.

The convenience store looks new too. Zooies is to the right when you walk in. They had over 20 kinds of cookies and bars to choose from, including vegan, paleo, diabetic friendly, and gluten free options. The staples are there: chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, and some creative kinds like s’mores, baklava and morning glory.

The froyo is self-serve and they have four flavors. The froyo is average but what stands out is the toppings bar. The toppings are their chopped up cookies!!! The limited time special is a steal, $3.50 flat rate for a 16 oz cup. The only toppings they have are cookies and syrups but who cares. They have over a dozen types of chopped up cookies. The baklava cookies have a strong cardamom flavor. Love.

Froyo flavors of the day:

* Vanilla: creamy, like soft serve ice cream

* Chocolate

* Plain tart: didn’t have much tang and didn’t have a clean finish

* Passionfruit orange sorbet

They also have coffee cake and coffee drinks. There isn’t any place to sit. If I lived nearby, I’d fill cups with chopped cookies and froyo and freeze them for future consumption. Also note that they close earlier than the gas station.

Rating: 4/5

* ZOOIES: 9815 National Blvd., Los Angeles (Cheviot Hills), CA 90034

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.

$5 Unlimited Cup Tuesdays Coming to Yogurtland Lakewood

Fro-yo girl here. Froyo fans, do you love the challenge of creating a spectacular unlimited cup? Do you love showing off your swirling skills?

Be sure to mark these $5 Unlimited Cup dates on your calendar: Tuesdays, August 22 & August 29 from 11 AM - 5 PM at Yogurtland Lakewood, 5017 Lakewood Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712. This promotion does not apply to Yogurtland's Custom Shakes.

That's right, Yogurtland Lakewood has Custom Shakes. Pick the froyo and toppings you'd like in your shake to create the perfect shake for you. Custom shakes are just $5.99. Try one before, after or during the Unlimited Cup event. After all, you can never have enough 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.

Yogurtland’s Hope Promotion Begins

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland launched its new Hope promotion today. The Hope promotion which runs from August 7 to October 1, features five new handcrafted flavors, two new limited edition spoons, limited edition cups, and new toppings. During the promotional period, Yogurtland will also collect donations for three charities that it supports, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Exodus Cry and Rescuing Lives.

During my visit, I spotted two new flavors, Banana Toffee Pie and Lava Cake Gelato, a new topping (Coconut Caramel Cookies), two new spoons, and the Hope cups. The new 3D spoons are nice and hefty. It’s cute how the Yogurtland symbol has been incorporated into flower designs.

New flavors (and release dates):

• Blissful Banana Toffee Pie (8/7): This lowfat flavor is made with real banana and graham crackers. It’s inspired by Banoffee Pie from England. Bananas are my least favorite food in the world, so while I tried this flavor, I can’t say much about it other than the warm toffee is a nice edition. Recommended toppings: almonds, whipped cream, toffee bits.
• Molten Lava Cake Gelato (8/7): This cultured gelato flavor is inspired by the French soufflé and made with two different cocoas and shortbread cookies. It’s rich and has a cake flavor that chocolate lovers will appreciate. Recommended toppings: whipped cream, chocolate shell, coconut caramel cookies.
• Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet (8/21)
• Simply Sublime Pear Tart (9/4)
• Perfectly Roasted Pistachio Almond (9/18)

New toppings:

• Chocolate covered sunflower seeds
• Coconut Caramel Cookies

New spoons:

• Pink flowerpot 
• Yellow sunflower

New cups:

• Hope Cup
• Donation Cup

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

Here’s the official press release from Yogurtland:

Yogurtland's Newest Scratch-Made Flavors Share Deliciousness and Hope with Every Cup

Featuring New Hope Cup to Support Charities And Two Limited Edition 3D Collectable Spoons 

(IRVINE, CA) August 7, 2017— Inspired by delicious desserts from around the world, Yogurtland’s newest flavors are a way to continue to enjoy all of life’s favorite moments while providing hope for those less fortunate. Along with a line-up of five new delicious, handcrafted flavors, Yogurtland is introducing a “Hope Cup” where guests can help support Yogurtland Cares and charities that support children and women in need.

Before embarking on their flavor journey, guests will decide to fill an original Yogurtland cup or for an extra $1 they can choose the Hope Cup to fill with their handcrafted flavors and topping choices. All proceeds from the Hope Cups will equally benefit the following three Yogurtland Cares supported charities:

- Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals – Providing treatment, comfort and hope to millions of sick kids and their families.

- Exodus Cry – Assisting and empowering victims of exploitation around the world.

- Rescuing Lives – Rescuing and caring for widows and orphaned children in poverty stricken areas around the world.

“At Yogurtland, we are grateful for the support our guests show us every day, and we feel it is important for us to share that support and become a beacon of hope for others. Our new Hope Cup will allow us to team up with our fans and provide needed support for children and women in less fortunate circumstances,” said Chad Bailey, senior director of marketing, Yogurtland.

The new promotional flavors, available from August 7 to October 1, give froyo lovers the chance to explore new delicious yogurt combinations and pairings while collecting two special edition spoons. For the first time, Yogurtland is offering three-dimensional spoons. These specially designed spoons reflect the theme of hope with a bright yellow sunflower shape and a charming pink flowerpot shape.

Additionally, Yogurtland is offering two promotional toppings - coconut caramel cookies, available August 7, and chocolate covered sunflower seeds, available, September 4. The five delectable promotional flavors are:

- Blissful Banana Toffee Pie- Available August 7 and inspired by the English dessert ‘banofee pie,’ this flavor will have froyo lovers enjoying every spoonful. By combining real bananas with a toffee base and adding hints of graham cracker and shortbread, this tasty froyo perfectly captures the spirit of this popular, decadent dessert pie.

- Molten Lava Cake Gelato- Beginning August 7, guests can enjoy this flavor that derives its taste from the French classic soufflé. This flavor exemplifies a perfect chocolate cake, mixing cocoa and shortbread cookie creating every chocolate lover’s dream flavor.

- Spicy Sweet Chili Mango Sorbet- Guests will be able to explore this tasty treat beginning August 21. As a tribute to the popular combination in Mexico, this flavor brings together Alphonso mango with hints of red chili and lemon flavors. This refreshing flavor delivers the perfect balance of sweet and spice in every spoonful.

- Simply Sublime Pear Tart- Reminiscent of the Asian pear, this scratch-made flavor will be offered in stores beginning September 4. Starting with a pear puree made with Bartlett pears, this flavor mimics sweet, fresh, and ripe in every spoonful. This tart based flavor will have froyo enthusiasts feeling as though they are biting into a deliciously ripe pear.

- Perfectly Roasted Pistachio Almond- Starting September 18, this no sugar added pistachio almond yogurt will have froyo fans satisfied without the added guilt. Incorporating roasted pistachio butter and real almond butter, this flavor provides the perfect nutty combination that will be sure to please all yogurt lovers.

Yogurtland’s flavorologists are continually seeking craveable flavors that keep fans loving their experience. Yogurtland owns its own dairy and by controlling the frozen yogurt making process, the company can deliver the highest quality flavors, setting new standards for millions of fans.

All of Yogurtland’s flavors meet the National Yogurt Association Criteria for “live and active culture frozen yogurt” and are produced in a kosher-certified facility. Yogurtland features non-fat and low-fat yogurt flavors as well as non-dairy and no sugar added choices while using milk that does not contain antibiotics or added hormones. Fruit flavors are fortified with Vitamin C for an extra boost.

Presently Yogurtland has more than 320 locations across the U.S., Australia, Guam, Singapore, Thailand, Venezuela and Dubai. Flavors are always subject to creative change and popular demand. For more information, visit http://www.yogurt-land.com or http://www.facebook.com/yogurtland.

Yogurtland Cares is a charity arm of Yogurtland, serving children and women in need through various charities in the US and abroad. Yogurtland Cares operates as a 501(c) 3 non-profit (Tax ID # 27-1491723). For more information and to learn about the charities Yogurtland Cares supports, please visit www.yogurtlandcares.com

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.

IFYA Contests Conclude, Winners Selected

Fro-yo girl here. The winners of the two International Frozen Yogurt Association contests have been selected. 

Far Out Froyo Flavors Contest

In the Far Out Froyo Flavors contest, frozen yogurt fans were invited to share their most creative and appealing frozen yogurt flavor ideas from July 4 – July 18, 2017. Each eligible entry was judged for originality, appeal and practicality.

The winning flavor, White Peach Oolong Tea frozen yogurt, was submitted by @xtracetracex on Instagram.

The sweet prize package included a froyo tote bag, Miniso nap pillow, Pressed Juicery x Sugarfina Green Juice gummy bears, Sugarfina Bear-y Smoothie bears, Miniso black coin purse, Miniso lips mini pan, Daiso popsicle pencil case, Miniso notebook, and a Livework pen & pencil set.

Susan Linton, President of the IFYA said, "We created this contest in honor of the IFYA's fourth anniversary. Our creative frozen yogurt flavor contests in the past were for frozen yogurt shops. This year we wanted to give frozen yogurt fans the chance to share their creative frozen yogurt flavor ideas with us. We were inspired by the fact that far out frozen yogurt flavor ideas can come from anywhere. We think it’s important for the frozen yogurt industry to stay innovative and open to new ideas.”

Linton added, “We received great flavor ideas. The winning flavor stood out. It’s a flavor that we haven’t seen before. White peach oolong tea frozen yogurt sounds like a complex, light, refreshing, and fragrant flavor. Imagine the different notes from the tea and the white peach. It sounds like a flavor we would love to try.”

Congratulations to our winner, @xtracetracex.

Menchie’s Num Noms Photo Contest

For the Menchie's Num Noms photo contest, frozen yogurt fans were invited to submit photos that featured Menchie’s and Num Noms on Instagram from July 19, 2017 – July 27, 2017.

The cutest photo contest winner, @db_pottery, won a limited edition Menchie’s Sweet Friends Num Noms starter pack. The Sweet Friends starter pack is available exclusively at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide and online beginning July 2017 for $9.99. Num Noms features food based collectible, scented characters. The line was launched in December 2015 and it now has over 80 licensing partners, 400 characters and 50 scent variations.

Susan Linton, President of the IFYA said, "We created this contest to highlight the partnership between MGA Entertainment and Menchie’s, which included the “Smell So Delicious” makeover of Menchie’s locations in the US, Num Noms cup designs and the Sweet Friends Num Noms starter pack. The winning photo featured the Num Noms cups, Menchie holding a trophy and a prize worthy froyo creation. We encourage everyone to look for the winning entry on Instagram, using the hashtag #menchiesnumnomscontest.”

Congratulations to our winner, @db_pottery.

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.

Froyo Showdown in the Mission (San Francisco, CA)

Fro-yo girl here. Foodhall opened in April 2016 as a stylish gourmet grocery store with coffee, pastries, cheese, produce and a large wine and spirits collection. The space is beautiful, especially the ceiling. The chalkboard sign out front says Best Froyo Ever.

Foodhall serves Italian style frozen yogurt made with Straus organic milk. There’s just one flavor, plain. I can respect that. Plain is usually one of the best flavors.

Froyo prices: Small ($3.50)/ Medium ($4.50)/ Large ($6.50)/ Cone ($6)

Toppings ($1.50 each): Dark chocolate hazelnut sauce, salted caramel sauce, espresso, sour cherries (they didn’t have any during my visit), organic macerated strawberries, organic blueberries, organic raspberries, toasted hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, pine nuts, granola, maple bacon

Complimentary toppings: Olive oil & sea salt, honey, maple syrup, sprinkles

The cones are gourmet, hand-rolled ones from the Konery in Brooklyn. The froyo is dispensed from a countertop Taylor machine. It’s generally available all day, unless they happen to be cleaning the machine.

The small froyo was a generous size. The froyo was thick and smooth. It was sweet but tangy. It reminded me a lot of Yogorino’s Italian froyo, only denser. It has that unique taste that Yogorino had.

Is it the best froyo? The answer definitely would have been yes when they first opened but since then, Souvla opened a few blocks away at 758 Valencia St. Souvla also offers just one flavor of froyo (plain tart) dispensed from a countertop Taylor machine, but it’s Greek style. Both Foodhall and Souvla offer excellent froyo. Souvla’s isn’t as sweet or dense; it tastes more like natural yogurt. Souvla’s also isn’t as dene. I prefer the Greek toppings at Souvla though their toppings selection is more limited. Personally, I prefer Souvla froyo but I can see why others who like a sweeter yogurt would argue in favor of Foodhall’s version.

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

* FOODHALL: 3100 16th St., San Francisco, CA 94103
* SOUVLA: 758 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110

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 August Flavors, Emoji Movie Promotion, American Heart Association Fundraiser

Fro-yo girl here. There’s a lot going on at Menchie’s this month. First, there are two new flavors, Original Strawberry and Pina Colada Sorbet. Some locations are offering a Pina Colada float (mine wasn’t). Next, they’re promoting The Emoji Movie with a limited edition cup design and two new limited edition Emoji spoons. The spoons feature two characters from The Emoji Movie. Finally, Menchie’s is accepting donations for the American Heart Association. If you donate, you’ll get a paper sign that they’ll post on the wall and a coupon for 20% off a future purchase.

New flavors:

Pina colada sorbet: It’s made with real pineapple, real coconut cream, no artificial colors and no high fructose corn syrup. The coconut cream gives it a richer, creamier texture. The tangy pineapple flavor is dominant but then the coconut cream is the flavor that lingers. Recommended toppings: maraschino cherries, pineapple, Nilla wafers.

Original strawberry: It’s made with real strawberries, no artificial colors, no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors. I didn’t taste the yogurt and it seemed very sweet, creamy and heavy even though it is nonfat. Recommended toppings: Cool Whip, strawberries, sprinkles

The new cups feature three characters from The Emoji Movie.

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 Noosa Mates Review

Fro-yo girl here. Noosa Yoghurt recently expanded its offerings with a new line called Noosa Mates. Noosa Mates pair Noosa’s creamy full fat yogurt with toppings. The toppings are kept in a separate compartment. I found Noosa Mates at Target for $2.39 each. One serving is 5.5 oz, so it’s smaller than the typical Noosa container.

Available flavors: Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter, Honey Pretzel Peanut, Coconut Almond Chocolate, Maple Ginger, Honey Cranberry Almond.

* Honey Pretzel Peanut: The honey yogurt was thick, smooth, and creamy. The honey flavor is very prominent, to the point that it overwhelmed the flavor of Guittard chocolate bits. I could taste the peanuts and pretzels. It felt like there weren’t enough toppings. The toppings were good and complemented the yogurt but I wasn’t wowed. I did like the yogurt.

* Maple Ginger: This featured maple yogurt with crunchy granola, gingersnap streusel and candied ginger. The maple yogurt tasted quite similar to the honey yogurt but with a hint of maple. The granola was in small clusters. One serving was 240 calories, 9g fat, 32g carbohydrates, 24g sugars and 8g protein.

I like Noosa and while there was nothing wrong with Noosa Mates, I found the combinations predictable and safe. I think the toppings should be more interesting and that there should be a wider base of yogurt flavors.

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.