Kokoroll Café to Take Over Cherry On Top Space in Pasadena

 

Fro-yo girl here. Cherry On Top Frozen Yogurt near PCC in Pasadena, CA closed in 2019 and the space has been vacant ever since. The landlord finally found a tenant. Kokoroll Café is moving into the Cherry On Top space.

Kokoroll Café is a Hawaiian fast-casual eatery that offers poke bowls, sushi burritos, acai bowls, and boba. Their setup looks like a froyo toppings bar. They currently have locations in Burbank, La Canada, Torrance, and Hollywood.

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

* KOKOROLL CAFE: 1299 E Green St Pasadena, CA 91106

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 Yogurt Bear Opens Inside Pomona Valley Indoor Swap Meet

Fro-yo girl here. Have you ever been to an indoor swap meet in Los Angeles? There are quite a few of them. They’re basically indoor flea markets. I don’t think any swapping (trading) goes on, though I could be wrong. Valley Indoor Swap Meet in Pomona is a huge swap meet with all kinds of services (e.g., tax preparation, hair salon, nail salon, insurance, travel agencies) and stalls that sell everything from clothing to electronics. Swap meets typically have eateries too.

Way back in 2009 (not sure of the exact year), a self-serve froyo shop called Miyo Yogurt opened inside the Pomona Valley Indoor Swap Meet. It may have been open for over 10 years? Miyo also served boba drinks, and slushes. At some point, Yogurt Bear took over the space. Yogurt Bear also offers self-serve froyo, boba drinks, and slushes. They’re currently full-service though (you can’t serve your own froyo or toppings). Also, they charge a flat rate: $5 + 1 topping for a small, $6 + 2 toppings for a large. The cups are pretty big.

There are four froyo machines – so they could offer eight froyo flavors a day. During my visit, one machine wasn’t on (not sure why), so they only had 6 flavors. Froyo toppings included fresh fruit, popping boba, cookies, cereal, chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, etc. They serve Rainbow’s End froyo according to their signs.

Froyo flavors of the day:

• Chocolate overload
• Vanilla bean
• Pistachio
• Extreme Cookies & Cream
• Mango tart
• Strawberry fields

Yogurt Bear is located towards the back of VISM, by the pet store. It looked pretty clean. They have a frequent buyer card for their drinks but not for their froyo.

The froyo isn’t terrible though the texture was a bit icier than I expected. It wasn’t an attractive swirl but the amount of froyo was generous. The Oreo cookies were crisp and fresh. I don’t like flat rate pricing when the smallest size is pretty big. And it seems stingy to only allow you to pick one topping.

It looks like they make their drinks with syrups and powders, so the drinks probably aren’t that great.

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

YOGURT BEAR: 1600 E Holt Ave, Space O-33, Pomona, CA 91767

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.

San Gabriel, CA Froyo Guide

 

Yogurtland, San Gabriel

Fro-yo girl here. With a population of about 42,000 and a size of 4.09 square miles, San Gabriel is one of the smaller cities in San Gabriel Valley. It’s very diverse but predominantly Asian (61.4%). Yogurtland is currently the only frozen yogurt shop still open in San Gabriel. That location, located at 927 E Las Tunas Dr., Suite D, opened in 2013 in the shopping center anchored by 168 Market. It’s been a consistently good location – good about getting the new flavors on time, friendly service – but it’s considerably more expensive than Yogurtland Alhambra. Yogurtland Alhambra closed last fall though.

Former Froyo Shops in San Gabriel

• Nubi Yogurt, 140 W Valley Blvd, was located in San Gabriel Square, the shopping center anchored by 99 Ranch Market. The self-serve shop opened in 2008 and closed in 2012.
• Peach House was a counter-serve Pinkberryesque froyo concept. The San Gabriel shop, located at 531 W Valley Blvd, opened in 2007 and closed in 2009.
• YoGood, 704 W. Las Tunas Dr., Suite E3, was a counter-serve nonfat froyo shop that opened in 2008 and closed in 2009.

And that’s all…not many froyo shops opened in San Gabriel but it is a smaller city.

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.

Capo in Belmont Now Has Froyo

Fro-yo girl here. Capo opened on September 15, 2020 in Belmont, CA. The fast casual Mediterranean café specializes in healthy gyros, salads, sides, and spreads. They also make their own Greek yogurt panna cotta. The menu and look remind me of Souvla – you pick your form – pita, rice plate, or salad bowl, then you pick your protein.

I don’t think they had Greek froyo when they first opened. But guess what? They have one froyo machine now. There are two flavors of Greek frozen yogurt: Vanilla and Chocolate. It’s not on the menu but they have froyo – one size, no toppings. Students and teachers get 20% off Monday – Friday until 2 PM. And froyo is $3 for kids on Wednesdays. If you’re looking for Souvla style froyo, you’re going to be disappointed. Their yogurt is denser and icier plus it’s sweet but not cloyingly so.

Out of curiosity I drove by where Yoppi used to be in Belmont. It’s a Jamba Juice now. Surprisingly, Ya-Ua is still open in Belmont – 11 years and counting.

* CAPO: 2020 Ralston Ave., Belmont, CA 94002

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.

Magnolia Boba Ice Cream Review

Fro-yo girl here. On a recent trip to Seafood City at Eagle Rock Plaza, I noticed that Magnolia had a new line of boba ice cream. And it wasn’t just one flavor but eight. The ice cream features boba pearls that stay chewy when frozen. One pint was $6.99.

Available flavors: ube, mango, coffee, green tea, wintermelon, honeydew, brown sugar, and jasmine milk tea.

Jasmine milk tea boba ice cream: Whoa, super sweet. It was sweeter than most boba milk tea. The texture was thick and creamy. The pearls were soft and chewy but too soft. I liked the milk tea flavor but the ice cream was too sweet. The other flavors had about the same amount of sugar.

One serving is 2/3 cup, 300 calories, 17g total fat, 25g total sugars, 31g total carbs and 5g protein. Magnolia Ice Cream is made with real California milk in California.

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

SEAFOOD CITY: 2700 Colorado Blvd Suite #140, Los Angeles, 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.

Pinkberry’s New Flavor, Limoncello

Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry has introduced its first new flavor of the year, Limoncello frozen yogurt. Limoncello is an Italian-inspired light and refreshing tart froyo that Pinkberry recommends pairing with their new crushed amaretti cookies and lemon zest. In case you’re wondering, limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy. It’s made with lemon zest (from Sorrento lemons), sugar, water, and alcohol (often vodka or grappa). Sorrento lemons are highly acidic and described as being “subtly sweet with a zesty, tart, and tangy flavor.”

As a citrus lover and fan of Pinkberry’s Meyer Lemon froyo, I was definitely excited to try the new flavor.

Limoncello froyo: The lemon flavor is more intense than the Pinkberry Meyer Lemon flavor. It has a slightly bitter edge that I actually LOVED and it was extra tangy. The froyo itself was thicker but still very smooth. So good! Recommended toppings: Raspberries, Fruity Pebbles, mochi.

I know I'm going to get it again. 

Here's the official Pinkberry press release:

Limoncello Frozen Yogurt Set to Kick Off the New Year at Pinkberry

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Limoncello frozen yogurt is now available in Pinkberry® (www.Pinkberry.com) stores nationwide for a limited time until March 17, 2022.

Our Limoncello frozen yogurt is bursting with a fresh lemon taste that will transport you right to the Amalfi coast. This refreshing tart swirl will also be featured in a combination with crushed amaretti cookies and lemon zest.

"We know our citrus lovers will delight in this tart flavor that tastes just as refreshing as it looks," said Melissa Hubbell, senior director of marketing for Kahala Brands™, parent company of Pinkberry. "In Italy traditional limoncello is often served to finish off a meal, so we set out to create a dessert our guests can indulge in that's reminiscent of an Italian getaway."

At Pinkberry, guests can customize their swirl with a variety of toppings that include fresh, never frozen, fruit that is hand-cut in stores daily, along with premium granolas and nuts, specialty chocolates, and much more. Pinkberry is swirling with possibilities!

About Pinkberry

Pinkberry® launched in Los Angeles, CA in 2005 as the original brand that reinvented frozen yogurt. Today, over a decade later, Pinkberry continues to create great tasting treats with fresh ingredients in an experience comprised of distinctive product, outstanding service and inspirational design. At Pinkberry you can taste the difference of an uncompromising commitment to quality and freshness. Most recently, Pinkberry was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 22 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2900 locations in 28 countries.

For more information, please visit www.Pinkberry.com.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/limoncello-frozen-yogurt-set-to-kick-off-the-new-year-at-pinkberry-301456060.html

Sunscoop Vanilla Bean Cream Review

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve seen Sunscoop before but I thought it was just vegan ice cream, not froyo. Turns out that it’s a lot of other things – including all-natural, allergen-friendly, and with no refined sugar. Their organic coconut cream-based ice creams are soy-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free. The vanilla bean cream flavor is even cultured, but it’s the only cultured flavor in their current line-up.

Vanilla Bean Cream: They describe it as a “simple blend of cultured coconut cream and vanilla is brought together with a hint of lemon. It’s so creamy (and dreamy) you won’t believe it’s dairy-free or that it packs an extra probiotic boost.” It has lactic acid culture, so I wouldn’t call it frozen yogurt (because it doesn’t have Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilis). In terms of the taste and texture, Vanilla Bean Cream was dense and smooth with an icy edge. It was tangy but different from your typical tart froyo because of the strong flavor of coconut cream and a more lemony finish. I liked it but I don’t love coconut, so the coconut flavor was a bit much for me.

One serving is ½ a cup, 150 calories, 8g total fat, 19g total carbs, 14g sugars, and 1g protein. I found Sunscoop at Gelson’s. One pint was $7.99 (regular price). They’re based in Brooklyn. 

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.

Yogurtland’s First New Flavor of 2022: Plant-Based Brown Sugar Vanilla

Fro-yo girl here. January is also Veganuary, the one-month vegan challenge that's become popular around the world. Appropriately, Yogurtland just introduced their first new flavor for 2022 and I like it; Plant-Based Brown Sugar Vanilla soft serve is vegan, gluten-free, and made with oat milk. Yogurtland describes Brown Sugar Vanilla as a “delicious plant-based treat is crafted using real vanilla, brown sugar flavor and oat milk.” It has no live and active cultures.

Plant-Based Brown Sugar Vanilla: I was pleasantly surprised by the texture and flavor. It was very thick, smooth, and creamy. The brown sugar and oat milk gave it an interesting flavor. It tasted less sweet than the typical froyo. The vanilla flavor wasn’t strong. I would get it again. Recommended toppings: toffee bits (the toffee really goes well with the brown sugar), chocolate chips, and almonds.

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.

2022 Froyo Wish List

IG @koomiyoghurt

Fro-yo girl here. Happy Froyo New Year! And the new year means a new froyo wish list. But before I get to the new wishes, let’s see if any of my 2021 froyo wishes came true.

2021 Froyo Wishes

• Erewhon starts stocking Yoga-urt: This hasn’t happened though Erewhon has added more plant-based ice cream brands.
• More no sugar added froyo offerings: Yogurtland introduced a Pineapple & Greens Smoothie Bowl NSA soft serve in January 2021. And Pinkberry Nigeria introduced a Lite Chocolate NSA flavor. Those two flavors were the only new NSA flavors that I noticed.
• More tea flavors: This kinda happened. Menchie’s Canada had four Bubble Yo froyo flavors, 16 Handles introduced Chai Tea oat milk soft serve, and Yogurtland’s Milk Tea froyo.

2022 Froyo Wishes

• Purple Rice as a Froyo Topping: I’ve finally had purple rice yogurt drinks and they’re good but I haven’t had froyo with purple rice. It's a combination you can get at Koomi in Malaysia and Australia.
• Trying Israeli and Australian Froyo: Right now I’d have to go to NYC to try some Israeli froyo but I hope Anita Gelato will open a location in the Bay Area or Los Angeles…or I make it to the one in NYC. Maybe an Australian froyo shop like Yo-Chi will decide to open in Los Angeles…seems unlikely but you never know.
• Pinkberry Pops: Pinkberry Pops (popsicles) are available in other countries but not the US. Why???
• Boba Froyo: You know how boba ice cream (ice cream with tapioca pearls) became a thing in 2020 and 2021? I’d like pints of froyo with tapioca pearls.

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.