Pressed Juicery’s New Toppings and Sundaes

Fro-yo girl here. A couple of new things have been launched at Pressed Juicery as of Friday, June 28. First, there are new toppings and a new way to display toppings. New toppings include peach gummy bears, chocolate chip cookie crumble, marshmallows, sprinkles, praline pecan pieces, and raspberry puree. I don’t think they eliminated any toppings (whew).

I noticed the toppings display changed recently. They used to have a list of toppings on display on the glass divider near the Freeze station. Now you can see the toppings in clear glass bottles. Each one also lists whether the topping is vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO.

As for the Freeze Sundaes, they are:

• Summer Delight: Strawberry Freeze with vegan peach gummy bears + blueberries
• Chocolate Churro: Chocolate Freeze with granola butter + cacao drizzle
• S'mores: Chocolate Freeze with vegan marshmallows, chocolate chips + granola butter
• Blueberry Muffin: Vanilla Freeze with honey, blueberries + granola butter
• Tropical Dream: Pineapple mango Freeze with raspberry puree, sprinkles + shredded coconut
• Strawberry Pie: Strawberry Freeze with vegan marshmallows, praline pecans + granola butter
• Chocolate Chip Cookie: Vanilla Freeze with chocolate chip cookie crumble, chocolate drizzle + chocolate chips
• AB&J: Vanilla Freeze with almond butter, raspberry puree + strawberries

I selected the AB&J which was refreshing and delicious. The raspberry puree was obviously natural and not overly sweetened. The price hasn’t changed and they're running a promo right now, two items for $10.

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.

I-Mei Blueberry Yogurt Ice Bar Review

Fro-yo girl here. It feels like forever since I found a new frozen yogurt popsicle at 99 Ranch Market. It’s been five years, but I recently spotted I-Mei yogurt ice bars. I-Mei is a Taiwanese brand and the popsicles are imported from Taiwan. I’ve seen their popsicles/ice bars for years, but not yogurt ones. 99 Ranch Arcadia had two flavors, Blueberry and Passion Fruit. One 260g box is $4.89 and contains four individually wrapped bars.

* Blueberry Yogurt Ice Bar: The bar had a thin, sweet white coating which seemed like white chocolate. The interior was soft and creamy, a nice texture. I was surprised by how tangy it was – way more than most yogurt bars. I didn’t think the coating was necessary but maybe it enhances the tanginess. There was a cream aftertaste. The I-Mei bars remind me of the Korean Greek yogurt bars from Lotte Foods but they’re tangier and have bits of dried blueberries.

One bar is 130 calories, 6g total fat, 18g total carbs, 15g sugars and 2g protein.

Ingredients: Water, sugar, milk powder, vegetable oil (coconut oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, antioxidant (mixed tocopherols concentrate)), blueberry, whey powder, pectin, citric acid, hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, emulsifier (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), artificial flavorings (vanilla, blueberry, chocolate), soy lecithin, cocoa butter, cultured whole milk.

4 out of 5 stars.

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

* 99 RANCH MARKET: 1300 S Golden W Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

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.

Tadashizen Nomu Yogurto Japanese Yogurt Drink Review

Fro-yo girl here. It’s been a year since my trip to Japan and one of my fond memories of the trip was the delicious tiny Japanese yogurt drink I found at the rest stop. I found something similar at Mitsuwa in San Gabriel, CA. Tiny Japanese yogurt drinks! These were called Tadashizen Nomu and they were imported from Japan, flash frozen to extend shelf life. 

One bottle was 150 ml, 90 calories, 4g fat, 10g sugars. There was one flavor, plain, and the plastic bottle looked like an old-fashioned milk pail. One bottle was $2.59.

Tadashizen Nomu yogurt drink: It’s a thinner yogurt drink, but thicker than milk. I really like the tang – it tastes like real yogurt and it’s even sour, but not overwhelmingly so. It doesn’t taste like Yakult (yay!)

Mitsuwa also had yogurt and cheesecake from the same Japanese farm.

Ingredients: Milk, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, isomaltooligosaccharides, milk product, lactic acid

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

4 out of 5 stars.

* MITSUWA MARKETPLACE: 515 W Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel, CA 91776

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.

Summer of Froyo Contests

Fro-yo girl here. I can barely keep up with all the summer froyo contests. Pinkberry’s Be More Chill sweepstakes to win a trip for two to NYC to see Be More Chill the Musical is over, but there are many other froyo contests that are still open. 

Here’s a roundup of current froyo contests:

• 16 Handles First Day of Summer Giveaway: One lucky person will win free soft serve for a year. Visit 16 Handles’ Facebook page, @16Handles, comment on 16 Handles’ Facebook post with your favorite flavor by June 28, 2019, 11 AM EST. One entry per person
• Menchie’s Hershey’s Experience Sweepstakes: The grand prize is a trip for 4 to Hersheypark & Hershey’s Chocolate World. It’s a three-day trip that includes airfare, hotel, and $500 spending money. You’re automatically entered when you used your Mysmileage account at Menchie’s. Or you can complete an entry form on Menchie’s website. The Sweepstakes ends on June 30.
• Menchie’s Chip Instagram Spoon Contest: There’s a Menchie’s spoon photo contest! I think it’s the first one! To enter, (1) take a picture of the new Chip froyo spoon in your Menchie’s mix, (2) post your pic on Instagram and tag @MyMenchies and #MenchiesSpoon #froyo from a public IG account. The contest ends on June 30.
• Orange Leaf Make Your Summer Sour Sweepstakes: For a chance to win 5 tickets to Universal Studios Florida, visit Orange Leaf, make a purchase, visit the secret web page detailed on your receipt and fill out the entry form
• sweetFrog’s 10 Years of Sweet Contests: sweetFrog turns 10 this year and they’ve been celebrating with several contests. There’s still time to enter one of them. Just post a photo and use #10YearsofSweet on Twitter or Instagram for your chance to win a $5 sweetFrog gift card by Sunday, June 30th, 2019.
• Yogurtland Create a Cup as Unique as You Photo Contest: There’s a $100 Yogurtland gift card up for grabs. To enter the contest, visit Yogurtland to create your unique flavor masterpiece and take a picture. Then, follow @yogurtlandinc on Instagram, post your photo on your public Instagram account using the hashtag #uniqueasyou, tag Yogurtland – do this by 11:59:59 PM PST on June 30, 2019.

Hurry up and enter…Good luck!

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.

Greek Yogurt by HASK Deep Conditioner Review

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve tried yogurt masks, lotions, and skin care, but this is the first time I’ve seen Greek yogurt haircare. The HASK Greek Yogurt haircare line is exclusively available at Walmart brick and mortar locations, though you can also buy them online at Amazon. In the past, HASK Greek Yogurt products were exclusively available at Walgreens.

Walmart had the deep conditioner packets, but not the shampoo and conditioner. A 1.75 oz deep conditioner packet was $2.47. There were four varieties:

• Blueberry & Acai – Repairing
• Coconut & Honeydew – Smooth & Shine
• Fig & Honey – Hydrating
• Pomegranate & Cranberry – Color Protection

I tried the Blueberry & Acai packet because I scent appealed to me. However, the conditioner didn’t smell like blueberry or acai. It smelled floral and fruity though. One packet worth of conditioner seemed like too much, even though I have long hair. I used about half a packet and left it in for about 5 minutes after washing my hair. It’s probably not realistic to expect to see results after one use? But, my hair did seem smoother and silkier after one use.

I don’t deep condition my hair but I do use conditioner regularly. My hair doesn’t seem dry. It also doesn’t seem to matter which hair products I use. I’ve used many different products over the years. I do get quite a few hair compliments, including from my hair stylist, so my hair seems to be healthy.

HASK products are not tested on animals and they are paraben free and sulfate free. They do actually contain Greek yogurt, as well as collagen, milk protein, and fruit extract. Greek yogurt is supposed to moisturize your hair, while the fruits they use deliver other benefits. For example, the antioxidants in blueberries restore dry and damaged hair, while acai berries have vitamins that help prevent split ends and breakage.

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.

The Crème Shop Raspberry & Yogurt Fusion Mask Review

Fro-yo girl here. The Crème Shop is a Korean skincare and color cosmetics brand. I’ve seen their masks around for years and then they caught my eye with the Sanrio/Hello Kitty collaboration. They have a wide variety of fusion sheet masks. Fusion sheet masks capture the benefits of 2 masks in 1. One of the fusion sheet masks is Raspberry & Yogurt. Raspberry is supposed to fight off bacteria, while the lactic acid in yogurt gently exfoliates to “reveal a bright and luminous complexion.” The mask also has hyaluronic acid which moisturizes the skin and helps it to retain moisture.

The Crème Shop Raspberry & Yogurt Fusion Mask is made in Korea and retails for $3 for a single use sheet mask. While it’s made in Korea, it’s desiged in Los Angeles. The Crème Shop’s products are cruelty free. You can purchase it from The Crème Shop website.

Raspberry & Yogurt mask: The mask is saturated in liquid. You apply it to clean skin and wait for 20 – 30 minutes. I liked the light raspberry scent. After taking the mask off, my skin felt sticky, cold, and very moist. The next morning, my skin still felt moisturized. It seems like the effect of the mask lasts longer than other sheet masks.

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 Menchie’s Spoon: Surfing Chip and the Spoon Contest

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s has introduced the first NEW collectible froyo spoon of 2019, the blue Chip surfing spoon. The spoon says Splash into Summer on the front. On the back, you can see the back of Chip and it says Chip.

And there’s a Menchie’s spoon photo contest! There are four $100 Menchie’s gift cards up for grabs. One winner will be selected by Menchie’s each week in June. To enter, (1) take a picture of the new Chip froyo spoon in your Menchie’s mix, (2) post your pic on Instagram and tag @MyMenchies and #MenchiesSpoon #froyo from a public IG account.

While I was at Menchie’s, I also spotted new stickers. They feature Chip with a suitcase, hat, sunglasses, and a cup of froyo and say “Ready for Summer Vacation.”

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.

Father’s Day 2019 Froyo Specials

Fro-yo girl here. This post is dedicated to my father, who enjoys frozen yogurt, cake, and candy bars (especially Snickers, Baby Ruth, and Kit Kat). Hmmm, put those together and you have a frozen yogurt cake.

TCBY is keeping up its tradition of offering free froyo to fathers on Father’s Day (and to mothers on Mother’s Day). Thanks, TCBY!

Here’s the list of places with Father’s Day froyo specials, in alphabetical order. Unless noted, all these specials are good on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, 2019:

• 3 Spoons Yogurt (Waco, TX): Dads get 50% off yogurt on Father's Day
• 20 Degrees Froyo (Cookeville, TN): Mention Instagram post for $1 off on Father's Day
• Alpine Chill (Alpine, CA): Free 16 oz yogurt or ice cream on Father's day this Sunday, June 16, at Alpine Chill. Open 11am-9pm
• Blitzer's Yogurt (CA): Dads get 12 oz free on Father's Day
• Cherry on Top (Riverside, CA): Free yogurt for all dads up to 5 oz. with purchase of 10 oz or more on Father's Day 
• CherryBerry (MN): Fathers get a free 8 oz froyo or cookie dough on Father's Day, show offer on Twitter @Cherryberry_MN
• Chill'd (Conifer, CO): Buy a cup of froyo, get dad's free on Father's Day (up to $5)
• Chiller Bee (TX): Free froyo for dads on Father's Day
• Crazy for Yogurt (CA): Dads get a free 6 oz froyo with any $5 purchase on Father's Day
• di'lishi (Athens, GA): BOGO froyo, coffee or tea when you bring your dad on Father's Day
• Dink's Place (Starke, FL): Bring dad in on Father's Day and he will get 50% off his froyo
• Emerson’s By the Bay (New Baltimore, MI): Free “sweetie” cup for dads on Father’s Day
• Feeney's (Greensboro, NC): Fathers get 4 oz free on Father's Day
• Fresh Cup (Austin, TX): Dads get 25% off on Father's Day
• FROLO Frozen Yogurt (Manteca, CA): Get 10% off your entire purchase when you treat your dad on Father's Day
• Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt (FL): Buy one cup, get 6 oz free for dad on Father's Day
• Jelly Beans Frozen Yogurt (Milledgeville, GA): Free froyo for dads on Father's Day
• llaollao (Houston, TX): Free toppings for dads on Father's Day weekend 2019 (Saturday & Sunday), show the IG post and must be following @llaollao_houston
• llaollao (Philippines): For every minimum single receipt purchase of P150, dads get a topping from June 14 to 16, 2019!
• Menchie's Eagle Rock (Los Angeles, CA): Dads get free 5oz with a purchase of frozen yogurt on 6/16/19.
• Menchie's Glendale & South Pasadena, CA: Dads get 10 oz of free froyo on Father's Day, with a purchase of equal or more 
• Menchie's Kitty's Korner (Lexington, SC): BOGO FREE from 2pm to 4pm Sunday June 16th 
• Menchie's (Rancho Cordova, CA): 50% off for all dads on Father's Day
• Orange Leaf: Free froyo for dads on Father's Day with coupon
• Oregon Froyo (Oregon, WI): BOGO for dad on Father's Day 
• PS Froyo (Pagosa Springs, CO): Bring your dad on Father's Day and he receives 20% off
• Reis & Irvy's (Salt Lake City, UT): Get $1 off on Father's Day with the code "froyodad"
• Rosie's Self Serve Froyo (Heath, OH): BOGO 1/2 off any equal or lesser purchase on Father's Day
• Smile Yogurt (Hong Kong): Special Father’s Day froyo parfait features a chocolate bow tie
• Spoonlickers (MI): Free froyo for dads (10 oz) on Father's Day
• Sugar Booger (Augusta, GA): Dads get 50% off frozen treats on Father's Day
• Suzy’s Swirl (Lake Bluff, IL): Dads get a free cup ($5) on Father’s Day
• sweetFrog: Bring dad for froyo on Father's Day 2019, get a bounceback coupon for a free cup
• Sweetspot Frozen Yogurt (Longview, WA): Bring your sweet dad on Father’s Day for a FREE 8oz cup of froyo
• Swirlicious Yogurt (Carlsbad, CA): Bring dad in on Father's Day and the entire party gets 20% off on Father's Day
• TCBY: Free froyo (up to 6 oz) for fathers on Father’s Day at participating locations
• The Pass Daq and FroYo Shoppe (Pass Christian, MS): Dads get 10% off on Father's Day 
• The Patio (Coldwater, MI): Show the offer post @thepatio.yum for buy 1, get 1 bowl/shake 50% off on 6/15-6/16/2019
• The Skinny Dip Ghent (Norfolk, VA): Tell the dipper on duty why you love your dad and dad gets his bowl of froyo free (discount up to $3 with purchase of an additional item of greater value on Father's Day)
• The Tavern by sweetgreen (Washington DC): Stop in this Sunday 6/16 for free #sweetflow, in celebration of #FathersDay.
• The Yogurt Shoppe (Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA): Free $5 gift card with any $25+ gift card purchase during June 2019, 8 oz free for dads on Father's Day
• Top It Yogurt Shoppe (Snohomish, WA): 10% off for dads on Father's Day, mention Instagram ad
• TOPZ Frozen Yogurt (McMinnville, TN): Dads get 4 oz free on Father's Day
• Turkey (Ecuador): Free topping for dads on Father's Day 
• Tutti Frutti (Mexico): Unlimited free toppings w/ froyo cup purchase for dads on Father's Day 2019
• Twisted Frozen Yogurt (New Buffalo, MI): Free froyo for dads on Father's Day
• Urban Swirl Goshen (Elkhart, IN): Dad gets 4 oz free w/ the purchase of another froyo on Father's Day (must mention IG post to the cashier)
• Urban Swirl (Granger, IL): Free froyo for dads (up to 6 oz) with the purchase of any other froyo on Father's Day
• Yogurt Beach (Reno & Sparks, NV): BOGO free on Father's Day
• Yogurt Breeze (Lake Nona, FL): Buy a cup of froyo for dad on 6/16/2019, get a coupon for 8 oz free for his next visit 
• Yogurt Factory (Temecula, CA): BOGO with purchase of yogurt of equal or greater value - mention offer to cashier 
• Yogurt Fusion (Miami, FL): Buy one frozen yogurt and get the second one free up to $5 Value on Father's Day 
• Yogurtini Square (Independence, MO): BOGO 50% off on 6/15-6/16/2019 Father's Day special
• Yogurtland Anaheim Hills (Anaheim, CA): BOGO free on Father's Day when you show the offer post to the cashier @yogurtlandanaheimhills
• Yogurtland (Fullerton, CA): BOGO free on Father's Day when you show the offer post to the cashier @yogurtlandanaheimhills
• Yogurtland Irvine (Jeffrey Rd): BOGO free on Father's Day from 11 AM - 5 PM. Must show post, @yogurtland_fullerton
• Yogurtland Jordan Landing (West Jordan, UT): BOGO all day Sunday June 16th.
• Yogurtland (Santa Monica Promenade, Santa Monica, CA): BOGO free on 6/19/2019 with a minimum $6 purchase when you bring your dad
• Yogurtland (Beverly Connection, Los Angeles): Show the offer on Instagram @yogurtland155 & bring your dad to get BOGO free from 11 AM - 5 PM on Father's Day
• YoJay's (Forest Park, GA): Bring in dad for a special BOGO 50% offer on Father's Day
• Yotopia (Iowa City, IA): Dads get half off their froyo from 1 - 5 PM with additional purchase on Father's Day
• Yoville (Oroville, CA): BOGO free, up to $4 on Father's Day
• Yumberries (Hermitage, PA): Buy a cupcake and get your cup of yogurt 50% off on Father's Day
• Yumz Yogurt: Special bourbon butter pecan flavor during Father’s Day week
• Zoyo (AZ): Dads get their first 6 oz free on Father's Day

I’ll keep updating this list as I learn about more Father’s Day froyo specials. Many shops announce these specials on or the day before Father’s Day, so check back. Also, ask your local shop if they have a Father’s Day froyo specials.

If you plan ahead, it’s the perfect occasion to purchase or make a froyo cake.

Happy Father’s Day to all froyo loving dads!

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.

Be More Chill Promotion & New Pinkberry Summer Combination: Mango Froyo w/ Tajin & Lime

Fro-yo girl here. Back in late May, Pinkberry introduced a new swirl combination called “Two-Player Game,” inspired by the new Broadway musical, Be More Chill. The “Two-Player Game” combination is a swirl of pomegranate and matcha frozen yogurt, topped with blueberries, mochi, and granola. They also introduced a special Be More Chill cup design, hosted a meet-and-greet of the Be More Chill cast members, and sponsored a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to NYC to see Be More Chill. The “Two-Player Game” combination is available in NYC only (sad face). But, the Be More Chill sweepstakes is open to legal US residents, 18 and over no purchase necessary. The contest ends on June 17, 2019.

In other Pinkberry news, last week Pinkberry announced a new “Ama-ZING” combination for summer, Mango frozen yogurt with freshly cut mango, Tajin, and a lime wedge. For those of you unfamiliar with Tajin, it’s a chili-lime-salt seasoning. Tajin is the leading brand in Mexico it’s produced in Zapopán, Mexico. I’ve seen Tajin for sale in many grocery stores. Trader Joe’s even has its own private label version. Tajin is added to just about everything, including fresh fruit. Mango frozen yogurt is not a new flavor at Pinkberry.

Honestly, I like my fruit plain and I also don’t love mangoneadas/chamango. I had one and the flavor of the chamoy sauce was overwhelming. However, I like Tajin on my corn.

I tried the “Ama-ZING” combination at Pinkberry and it was better than I expected. Tajin is strong, so ask for a light sprinkle, unless you know you love it. The Tajin isn’t that spicy or salty. Both the Tajin and fresh lime juice make the mango froyo tangier. The mango froyo is one of their sweeter tart flavors, so I appreciated the extra tang.

I’ve seen Tajin at a good number of frozen yogurt shops. Yogurtland introduced Chili Mango sorbet in August 2017, which was made with Tajin.

Mango Frozen Yogurt is available at participating U.S. Pinkberry stores until August 15. Ask for the "Ama-ZING" combination.

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 Is No Longer Opening in Arleta, CA

Fro-yo girl here. I first heard about the plans to open a Menchie’s in Arleta, CA (San Fernando Valley) over a year ago. The location was listed as “coming soon” on the Menchie’s website. But then I didn’t hear anything else. I happened to be in the area, so I drove by the proposed site, 9007 Woodman Ave., Suite D, Arleta, CA. It’s a strip mall anchored by Vallarta Supermarket.

There’s a Panda Express where Menchie’s was supposed to open. Turns out that the Menchie’s Arleta address has been taken off the Menchie’s website. A new churros place is opening soon, two doors from Panda Express and there's a Mexican snack/ice cream shop in the same strip mall.

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.

Yoga-urt Echo Park Grand Opening Coverage

Fro-yo girl here. I already covered the opening of Yoga-urt in Echo Park, so I’ll just share the pictures that I took at the grand opening. I also went to the soft opening last weekend but the grand opening details hadn’t been announced, so I didn’t write about it. They’re giving free minis from 2 PM – 4 PM today and raffle tickets with purchase. The prizes are from Yoga-urt and other businesses in Echo Park.

Froyo flavors of the day: Vanilla Harmony, Chocolate Bliss (best-seller), Peanut Butter Prana, Thai Iced Tea, Strawberry Serenity, Ganesha’s Sweet Greens (no sugar added). I opted for Vanilla Harmony.

For the soft opening, the flavor line-up was a little different: Chocolate Bliss, Vanilla Harmony, Strawberry Serenity, Peanut Butter Prana, Salted Caramel Zen, Ganesha’s Sweet Greens.

Froyo prices: Mini $4.75/ Small $6.25/ Medium $7.75/ Large $8.25

Their high-quality, plant-based, hand-crafted, organic, kosher, soy free, gluten free froyo is so dense and filling that it feels like you’re indulging – but it’s actually good for you. Hmm. Portions are generous. Some of the flavors (Ganesha’s Sweet Greens, Purple Power, Tahini) have no added sugar. It seems too good to be true.

I appreciate their healthy toppings (cacao nibs, fruit, nuts, brownies, coconut, sprinkles, chocolate chips, shaved chocolate, mochi, etc) and innovative flavors (e.g.,Tahini, Radiant Golden Rose, and Purple Power).

I’m eager to find out the next new flavor and see what they do with their new oven. I also want to try the almond milk.

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

* YOGA-URT: 2211 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026

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.

Yoga-urt Brings Organic, Plant-Based, Hand Crafted Froyo to Echo Park, Los Angeles – Grand Opening This Weekend

Fro-yo girl here. Yoga-urt just opened their 2nd location in Echo Park (2211 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA). The grand opening is this weekend, June 8-9, from 1 PM – 11 PM. The flavor line-up is still being finalized but the Thai Iced Tea flavor will be back. And the purple sprinkles are new. Yes, there will be free froyo - get a complimentary mini from 2 PM - 4 PM on both days. 

If you love delicious froyo or soft serve that’s made from scratch with love, this is your place. Yoga-urt checks all the boxes: organic, vegan, kosher, soy free, gluten-free, all-natural, probiotic, hand-crafted, small batch, woman-owned, and eco-conscious. While their froyo is “free” of many things, it is flat out incredible – fresh and full of flavor. 

The first Yoga-urt location opened in Kenneth Village (Glendale, CA) in July 2015. The two locations are very similar, including the inspirational quotes and the zen-like vibe. The Echo Park location has a larger kitchen, including an oven.

Yoga-urt founder, Melissa Schulman, was inspired to combine her passion for yoga and frozen yogurt back in 2014. She wanted to create a healthier, allergy-friendly, plant-based frozen yogurt for yogis – something organic, soy-free, gluten-free, kosher, and all natural. Schulman joked that everyone can enjoy Yoga-urt except “for those with nut allergies.”

They start by making their own almond milk, crafting their froyo base out of almond milk and cashews, and adding probiotics. They don’t take shortcuts. For example, to make their Cookies & Cream flavor, they bake their own cookies because the cookies on the market don’t meet their criteria of being organic, plant-based, kosher, gluten-free, soy-free, etc. Their cookies and pie crusts are made with almond flour, a byproduct of their almond milk. The cones are handmade on site and the sauces are made in house.

Most flavors were inspired by what her friends and family liked and she’s still collecting flavor ideas using social media. There are some exceptions though. Purple Power was inspired by the color purple, Melissa’s favorite color, and the desire to have a purple colored soft serve for their second anniversary. For Ganesha’s Sweet Greens, a no sugar added flavor made with spinach, kale, pineapple, kiwi, mint, and more, Melissa wanted to offer something even healthier. 

Chocolate is their most popular flavor. My personal favorites are Vanilla Harmony, Ganesha's Sweet Greens, Strawberry Serenity, and Pistachio Passion. Mr. Froyo's favorites are Ganesha's Sweet Greens, True Tahini, Peanut Butter Prana, and Pistachio Passion.

In addition to froyo, Yoga-urt has organic smoothies, kombucha floats, organic drinks, froyo sandwiches, froyo popsicles, and froyo pies (by the slice or whole). Custom froyo pies are available. If you want to take some home, pre-pack pints are in the grab n’ go freezer. They started selling their almond milk and almond flour too.

Cups and spoons are compostable of course. Their products are good for you and they care about the Earth too. Ask for a stamp card.

Don’t live near Yoga-urt but want to try it? They ship their pints nationwide! Order from the website.

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.

Innovative Froyo Shop Spotlight: Live Culture Café in Leucadia, CA

Fro-yo girl here. It’s been awhile since I’ve run into a new, innovative froyo shop to tell you about, so it’s with great pleasure that I share my experience at the new Live Culture Café in Leucadia, a beachside community within Encinitas, CA (greater San Diego). To understand the charm of Live Culture Café, it helps to describe the sleepy, beach town feel of downtown Leucadia. The vibe and the offerings of Live Culture Café fit the community.

Live Culture Café was opened in February 2019 by the people behind Bambucha Kombucha, chef crafted kombucha brewed with fresh, organic ingredients in San Diego. The café serves “delicious, probiotic rich, living foods,” including kombucha on tap, froyo, vegan soft serve, acai, toasted sourdough sandwiches, gluten free baked goods, energy bars, shakes, and locally roasted coffee.

For kombucha fans, they have kombucha tasting flights, lunch specials (sandwich plus kombucha), and kombucha happy hour from 4 PM -6 PM weekdays. I love the idea of a kombucha happy hour!!! Love froyo and kombucha? They have kombucha froyo floats with your choice of soft serve and choice of kombucha.

The froyo is not self-serve but they make whatever you order look nice. The toppings are healthier and include fresh fruit, sauces (peanut butter, chocolate, honey, agave), dates, crystallized ginger, flax, almonds, goji berries, sunflower seeds, coconut, chia seeds, hemp granola, etc.

Froyo/soft serve flavors:

• Vanilla froyo
• Chocolate froyo
• Culltured coconut (vegan
• Acai sorbet

* Vanilla froyo float with blueberry tart kombucha: My first kombucha float! The blueberry kombucha was light, fruity, and refreshing. The vanilla yogurt was thick and creamy without seeming too heavy or too sweet. The froyo and kombucha went well together. There were a few blueberries on top. There was much more froyo than kombucha.

* Thai ginger kombucha (ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf): a light kombucha that’s slightly tangy, slightly sweet, and refreshing. As a comparison, GTS’s gingerade kombucha is darker, heavier, and tastes more like vinegar.

The shop is cute and small with plants out front, a palm tree, and an outdoor patio. There are a few window seats inside. It feels like the perfect spot to go after surfing on a hot day.

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

* LIVE CULTURE CAFÉ: 1076 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024

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 June Flavors at Menchie’s & New Peppa Pig Cup

Fro-yo girl here. Menchie’s has three new feature flavors for June and a new limited-edition cup design. The collectible cup features Peppa Pig and a few of her friends. Peppa Pig is holding a cone of cotton candy, which is appropriate since Menchie’s created the Cotton Candy frozen yogurt for her. There’s also a new topping, cotton candy fizzies.

Who is Peppa Pig? I only found out about her last year. She’s the star of a British animated series that debuted in 2004.

* Peppa Pig’s Cotton Candy froyo: I was pleasantly surprised by this flavor. I don’t like cotton candy since it just tastes like sugar. Cotton Candy froyo is better than cotton candy because the yogurt mutes the cloying sweetness of cotton candy. And this flavor is nonfat, gluten-free, and contains no artificial colors or flavors. Recommended toppings: Sprinkles, Circus Animal Cookies, white chocolate chips

Last year was the year of Jolly Rancher flavored sorbets. This year, it’s Sour Patch Kids turn. First Orange Leaf came out with dairy-free Sour Raspberry. Menchie’s Blue Raspberry sorbet is made with Sour Patch Kids flavor. I’ve always loved Sour Patch Kids, but a big part of why I love them is the chewiness of the candy. That’s not present in a sorbet.

* Blue Raspberry sorbet: It was certainly sour and tangy in a Sour Patch Kids way. The bright blue color was scary, though I would have loved it as a child. The sorbet is nonfat, dairy-free, gluten-free. Recommended toppings: Fresh fruit and popping boba.

The third flavor is S’mores frozen yogurt made with Hershey’s milk chocolate and real graham cracker crumbs. I’m not a fan of s’mores because they’re gooey.

* S’mores froyo: S'mores was creamy and tasted like milk chocolate, maybe with marshmallow. I could not taste the graham cracker crumbs. S’mores froyo contains no artificial flavors or colors and no high fructose corn syrup. Recommend toppings: Chocolate shell, Nilla wafers, chocolate chips.

Menchie’s is also sponsoring a sweepstakes. The grand prize is a trip for 4 to Hersheypark & Hershey’s Chocolate World. I think you’re automatically entered when you used your Mysmileage account at Menchie’s.

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 Summer Flavor at Yogurtland: Fruit Punch Sorbet

Fro-yo girl here. Last week I was at Yogurtland getting my last taste of their feature flavor, Blueberry Lavender ice cream. Today, the new Yogurtland flavor arrived in stores, Fruit Punch sorbet. Yogurtland describes Fruit Punch sorbet as, “Plunge into endless flavor, with a blended combination of pear, apple, orange, pineapple, cherry, and more fruit flavors, mixed into real grape juice that delivers a bright sorbet punch.” It’s a good flavor choice for summer, though I think the flavor appeals more to young kids than to adults. Maybe it’s just me, but I stopped liking fruit punch a long time ago.

* Fruit Punch sorbet: Well, it did taste like fruit punch. It was hard to make out the different fruit flavors, but I mainly tasted cherry and grape. It wasn’t tangy. I wouldn’t want to get a cup of it but it’s a decent option if you can’t have dairy and want something light and fruity.

Fruit Punch sorbet is gluten free, dairy-free, vitamin fortified, and nonfat. Catch it at your local Yogurtland 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.

National Frozen Yogurt Month 2019: Reflections on Frozen Yogurt Trends

Fro-yo girl here. Happy National Frozen Yogurt Month 2019! TCBY declared the first National Frozen Yogurt Month, National Frozen Yogurt Week (the first week of June) and National Frozen Yogurt Day (the first "Sundae/Sunday" in June) back in 1993.

Every June I like to take a look at the popularity of frozen yogurt according to Google Trends. Google Trends captures how often people search for a particular term using Google Search, the #1 search engine in the world, over a period of time.

Interest in frozen yogurt in the United States has been quite steady, with seasonal declines, over the past 5 years. It’s currently trending upwards, since interest peaks in June/July. While I can think of many frozen yogurt shops have closed around the country, even in sunny California, the search volume does not show a significant drop. Of course, people search for frozen yogurt for a variety of reasons, not just to find the nearest frozen yogurt shop. Google Trends has this covered too.

The top frozen yogurt queries in the US for the past 12 months are:

1. Frozen yogurt near
2. Yogurt near
3. Frozen yogurt near me
4. Ice cream
5. Yogurt ice cream

The most popular queries show that people are looking for frozen yogurt when they use Google Search. One can also look at rising queries to see a rise in interest in keto frozen yogurt and frozen yogurt robots.

Interest by subregion refers to the percentage of inquires about frozen yogurt compared to total searches, not the total number of searches for frozen yogurt. Using this measure, interest in frozen yogurt over the past 12 months was highest in:

1. Idaho
2. Oregon
3. Arizon
4. Utah
5. Nevada

Looking at the past 12 months at worldwide searches for frozen yogurt, the following countries showed the most interest in frozen yogurt:

1. United States
2. Canada
3. Australia
4. Singapore
5. Norway

In 2018, frozen yogurt as a search term is the most popular in #1. United States, #2. Canada, #3. Australia, #4. Greece, #5. Denmark. The top two positions have stayed the same for years. The Australian frozen yogurt pictures look amazing. Their shops are stylish and focused on quality and creativity. 

Froyo Trends and Musings

Frozen yogurt shops continue to open and to close as prices rise. I’ve personally cut back on portion sizes. Also, since there aren’t as many new froyo spoons (e.g., there have been NO new collectible froyo spoons so far this year) and new froyo flavors, I haven’t had as many reasons to eat froyo. I’ve also seen more flat rate cup specials but those encourage me to get a lot more froyo than I really want.

I really fear for Pinkberry. Locations keep closing and some of the ones that are open have quality and consistency issues. I hope they can turn things around before it’s too late. In terms of consistency and quality control, I’d have to say Yogurtland is best at this though I can think of some locations that need additional oversight. Menchie’s has been the most active in terms of promotions in recent years, surpassing Yogurtland.

On a brighter note, I have found excellent froyo at non-froyo shops (e.g., Souvla, Pita GR, Spread Kitchen, Foodhall) and I’m eating plant-based, lower sugar soft serve more often.

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.