Jeni’s Ice Creams Flavor, Tropical Bloom

Fro-yo girl here. I was excited to try Jeni’s Tropical Bloom, described as “a punchy parade of mandarin, kiwi, and passion fruit wrapped in creamy buttermilk and yogurt. With a dash of citric acid for a mouthwatering, sour candy-esque finish.” I thought it was new, but it actually is a re-release and renaming of Cosmic Bloom, which was launched as part of the Punk Stargonaut Collection in 2024.

Tropical Bloom was thick, dense, smooth, and ultra creamy. The passion fruit seemed the strongest note to me. I liked the tangy sweetness but I didn’t love this particular combination of fruits. I wanted more citrus. It did remind me of creamsicle though.

It's hard to keep track of flavors when they change names!

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.

Save the Date for Eat Ice Cream (Froyo) for Breakfast Day

Fro-yo girl here. Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is on my calendar this year because Jeni’s Scoop Shops across the country are opening early, at 9 AM on that day, Saturday, February 2. And 100% of the profits from 9 AM – noon on Feb. 2 will go to a non-profit, She Should Run. She Should Run is working to get 250,000 women running for elected office by 2030. I know I plan to get Jeni’s Lemon Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt for breakfast.

Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of February. It was started in the 1960s by Florence Rappaport of New York, who came up with the idea when her kids were bored during a snowstorm.

I used to have froyo for breakfast because Jubili in San Francisco opened early. Fraiche also opened early. Back in 2013, I even had a post called Froyo for Breakfast. 

Pinkberry Union Square no longer opens early. Fraiche closed its San Francisco location. Caffe Ambrosia is still there and maybe they’ll still serve froyo early if you call ahead.

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

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

Jeni’s Calabasas Grand Opening

Fro-yo girl here. I went to Jeni’s Ice Creams grand opening in Calabasas last night, June 7. The shop opened a few days ago. It’s the fourth LA location (the others are Los Feliz, Venice, and Larchmont). Yes, Jeni’s is an ice cream shop but they make the most amazing frozen yogurt flavors with real cultured buttermilk, organic yogurt and cream. It’s rich, indulgent and bursting with flavor.

I wasn’t one of the first 50 people in line (LA traffic), so I’m not sure what was in the swag bag. Everyone was a winner though, because of free scoops.

The event was well organized with people managing the line and the number of people in the shop. There was even someone outside handing out free ice cream and sorbet samples. Once we reached the shorter line, we perused menus.

They have a passion for using small family farmers (often ones in Ohio, since that’s where they are based) and highest quality ingredients like biodynamic yogurt from Ohio producers. The flavors range from creative to classic, like Cream Puff, Gooey Butter Cake, Hard Cider Sorbet, Sweet Cream Biscuits & Peach Jam. They have chocolate, vanilla and cookies & cream too (but with fancier names like Ndali Estate Vanilla). The toppings, waffle cones and sauces are housemade.

* Mango buttermilk frozen yogurt: Tastes like a ripe mango but better, creamier, richer and more indulgent, a sweeter froyo

* Lemon & blueberries buttermilk frozen yogurt: Very tart, very lemony in flavor, rich, smooth and thick in texture, with some housemade blueberry jam but my scoop didn’t have much blueberry

I loved the extra thick, crispy housemade waffle cone. So good!

Prices: Single ($5.50), Trio of half scoops $6.50, pints are $12

The shop is shiny, new and adorable. Parking can be a challenge at the Commons Shopping Center.

They didn’t have the new Peach Lassi Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt. I’ll have to come back to try it and the other seasonal flavors.

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

* JENI’S ICE CREAMS: 4751 Commons Way, Ste A, Calabasas, CA 91302

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.

Mr. Holmes x Jeni’s Pop-Up

Fro-yo girl here. Today was the final day of the Mr. Holmes Bakehouse and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams pop-up. Jeni’s trailer was parked in front of Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. There were three pairings today:

1. Churro Croissant with Middle West Whiskey & Pecans Ice Cream
2. Cornflake Cookie with Mont Blanc Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt 
3. Chocolate Chunk Cookie with Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Jeni’s trailer also had 4 ice creams available by the scoop: Whiskey and Pecans, Salty Caramel, Milkiest Chocolate and Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso.

As a fan of both Mr. Holmes and Jeni’s, I was excited about this pop-up. Mr. Holmes’s cookies may just be the best thing they offer. The cornflake cookie is thick, dense and crunchy but it’s also chewy towards the center. It’s not too sweet and would probably pair well with any of Jeni’s ice cream flavors. The cookie is pretty amazing – the texture, the fact that it’s not too sweet, the complexity of the flavor – it’s way better than the humble corn flake.

Then there’s Jeni’s phenomenal Mont Blanc buttermilk frozen yogurt. It’s creamy, dense and has that deep molasses flavor. It is perfectly paired with the cornflake cookie.

The pop-up is over but it’s easy enough to replicate their pairings if you live near Mr. Holmes Bakehouse (with locations in SF, LA and Seoul). Jeni’s is carried in supermarkets throughout the country and you can also have the pints shipped to you.

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.

Ice Cream Shops With Froyo Worth Trying

Vanilla pear froyo, Sweet Rose Creamery

Fro-yo girl here. You won’t find me in an ice cream shop too often but when I do visit one, I always look for frozen yogurt. The newer artisanal ice cream shops rarely make or offer frozen yogurt. The old school or mainstream ice cream shops are more likely to have frozen yogurt but they usually offer boring flavors, chocolate and vanilla, and their frozen yogurt feels more like low fat ice cream than an offering that appreciates the unique qualities of yogurt.

When an artisanal ice cream maker actually likes yogurt and makes frozen yogurt, something magical can be the result.

These are my top picks for artisanal ice cream shops that carry frozen yogurt.

* JENI’S ICE CREAMS: Jeni loves frozen yogurt and she makes unparalleled frozen yogurt that’s super tangy and explodes with flavor. I think her scoop shops always carry at least one frozen yogurt. Her favorite is Lemon Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt. The current seasonal flavor, black currant, has a sweeter profile but it's still deeeelicious. Find a Jeni’s scoop shop at https://jenis.com/scoop-shops/

* HUMPHRY SLOCOMBE (San Francisco, CA): HS rarely makes frozen yogurt but when they have it, make a beeline over there to get some because it sells out fast. They recently had blood orange frozen yogurt. There are two locations: 2709A Harrison St. and 1 Ferry Building. Get your flavor updates from @humphryslocombe

* SWEET ROSE CREAMERY (6 locations in the Los Angeles area): Sweet Rose Creamery uses organic ingredients and the fruits and nuts are usually sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers Market. They usually have one froyo flavor inspired by in season fruit, like vanilla pear.

All three of my picks also offer nationwide shipping!

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

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

Jeni’s American Licks Opening Reception, 1/27/16

Fro-yo girl here. Jeni’s has a new ice cream collection called American Licks – Ice Cream as a Living Artifact, inspired by an art museum. The new flavors are classic, historic flavors improved by Jeni’s. For example, Cherries Jubilee c. 1897 a combination of vanilla ice cream and flambéed cherries was invented for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee celebration.

The opening reception took place at the Los Feliz Jeni’s Scoop Shop on Jan. 27 from 8 PM – 11 PM. Jeni was at the reception and the first 50 people in line received a swag box with American Licks pencils, Jeni’s signature orange chenille patch and two limited edition enamel ice cream pins. Plus they received a coupon for a free scoop (yes, you can choose frozen yogurt).

They were secretive about announcing the new flavors. The new flavors are: Orange Sherbet, Black & White Cookies, Candied Ginger, Green Mint Chip, Luxardo Cherries Jubilee and Pralines & Cream. I tried the Candied Ginger, a ginger ice cream with bits of candied ginger – very gingery and fresh plus it’s the prettiest peach color. Green Mint Chip has smooth peppermint ice cream with chopped chocolate and spirulina for natural green color. Black & White cookies has white chocolate – the improved version of cookies & cream.

By the way I tried the limited edition blackcurrant frozen yogurt which isn’t as tart as some of Jeni’s other frozen yogurt flavors but it’s delicious and flavorful with mellow blackcurrant flavor (reminds me of grapes and berries).

American Licks exhibition runs from Jan. 29 – Mar. 31, 2016. Check out the cute American Licks merchandise too: t-shirts, enamel pins, and pencils. There’s even an audio tour hosted by Jeni; call 866-314-7781 and learn about the history and inspiration behind the collection and its flavors.

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.