My Best Froyo Swirl of 2020

Fro-yo girl here. What a strange year…I’ve barely swirled any froyo cups since mid-March, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s mid-December and I probably won’t serve my own froyo again this year, though I still expect to buy more froyo.

My best looking froyo swirl of 2020 is…a cup of Yogurtland’s Classic Cookies & Cream froyo with toffee bits, crushed Oreos and chocolate chips. I swirled it in March 2020 at Yogurtland San Gabriel, right before the lockdown. It’s a nicely defined swirl with a peak that points up and the toppings look neatly placed.

This year I consumed 153 cups, pints or froyo novelties. I’m guessing I’ll reach 160 by the end of the year, the same amount that I consumed last year. Most of the froyo shops in my area stayed open even during the pandemic lockdown. My first cup of the year was from Yogurtland San Gabriel in January (probably January 1).

Looking for trends, I found the following:

Most froyo shops stopped offering self-serve due to the pandemic. This year, I dispensed my own froyo (aka, self-swirled) 24% of the time. Last year, 64% of my froyo was self-swirled. Big difference!

Single flavor (90%) vs. more than one flavor per cup (10%) in 2020. This was almost identical to last year, even though froyo shops are offering differently now. Most aren’t offering samples, so I chose more than one flavor in a few cases, just to try a new flavor. But some self-serve places that offer full service are also limiting how many flavors you can select – e.g., when you order a small at some Menchie’s locations, you can only choose one flavor.

Dairy (75%) vs. non-dairy (25%) in 2020. Last year, 76% of my cups were non-dairy. I’m so consistent without trying to be - scary.

You can see every cup that I consumed on Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/2020-froyo-consumed-by-me/

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.

My Best Froyo Swirl of 2019

Fro-yo girl here. The year and decade are almost over. I might have another froyo or two but I doubt I’ll achieve a nicer looking swirl. Without further ado, my best froyo swirl of the year is a cup of peanut butter froyo with Nutter Butters and peanut butter chips, swirled on March 18 at Yogurtland Alhambra, CA. The froyo looks smooth and creamy and the full-looking swirl tapers and peaks upward slightly for a nice effect. I wish peanut butter froyo were available more often at Yogurtland. Those peanut butter chips were so good too.

This year, I consumed 160 cups of frozen yogurt (or froyo alternatives), compared to 155 cups in 2018. My first cup was from Yoga-urt in Glendale, CA. My first cup that I swirled myself was at Menchie’s Valley Village, CA (the best Menchie’s location).

I also like to look at flavors and toppings that I selected. I found the following:

• Self-swirled (64%) of cups vs not swirled by me (36%). This was exactly the same as last year. Interesting!
• Single flavor (91%) vs. more than one flavor (9%). I definitely like to enjoy one flavor per cup. If I do opt for more than one flavor, I like to have the swirls side by side vs. swirled together.
• Dairy (76%) vs. non-dairy (24%). I thought I had non-dairy more often but I still love dairy.

You can see every cup that I consumed on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/2019-froyo-consumed-by-me/

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.

My Best (Nicest Looking) Swirl of 2018

Fro-yo girl here. It’s the last week of 2018 and I probably will have more froyo, but I doubt I’ll top my nicest looking swirl from earlier this year. Truth be told, my froyo swirls haven’t looked as nice as usual lately. I think it’s because I’m getting less froyo and the cups are so big, or I’m trying to get as much froyo as possible into the cup because of the flat rate pricing.

My best swirl of 2018 happened at Yogurtland Pasadena (Lake Ave.). during the summer. It was a cup of Classic Cookies & Cream froyo with crushed Oreo cookies, malt balls, and crushed Butterfingers. The toppings are neatly placed around a nice, full cup of froyo. The froyo looks smooth and creamy. Yum.

This year, I enjoyed 155 cups of froyo. Last year, I had 187 cups. In 2016, I had 197 cups. Some were free, some were unlimited, and some were shared with Mr. Froyo.

I also like to look at flavors and toppings that I selected. I found the following:

• Self-swirled (64%) of cups vs not swirled by me (36%) – exactly the same as 2017 
• Single flavor (83%) vs. more than one flavor (17%) 
• Dairy (72%) vs. non-dairy (18%) – I had more non-dairy in 2017 
• Yogurtland (35%) vs. other shops (65%). My visits to Yogurtland, Menchie’s, and Pinkberry accounted for 60% 

You can see every cup that I consumed in 2018 on Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/2018-froyo-consumed-by-me/

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.

Best Froyo Swirl of 2015

Fro-yo girl here. This year I reached a personal high of 200 cups of froyo consumed in one year. The quest for the Unlimited Cup at Yogurtland and some other Yogurtland challenges based on the number of visits during a set time period encouraged my increased froyo consumption. I also went on several trips and that also leads to greater froyo consumption.

Cups that I consumed, a yearly comparison:

• 2015: 200 (plus a cup or two that I’ll have after this post)
• 2014: 139
• 2013: 138

Don’t believe it? You can see all my 2015 froyo cups consumed on my Pinterest board, 2015 Froyo Consumed by FYG.

I looked at all my cups of froyo that I swirled this year to find my best swirl of 2015.

And the best swirl is…a cup of Caramel Macchiato froyo with whipped cream, salted caramel bits, toffee and mochi from Yogurtland, swirled at Yogurtland Pasadena (415 S. Lake Ave.) on January 27, 2015 during the Yogurtland’s 2nd Annual Fan Choice Awards. Caramel Macchiato froyo won the Best Beverage category. It was delicious and I hope it comes back.

What I like about this swirl is that the swirls are clearly defined and uniform, with the swirls gradually getting smaller and ending in a nice upward peak. The toppings do not obscure the frozen yogurt but actually complement the swirl in terms of color. Also the whipped cream helps to fill up the cup.

There were many nice looking swirls from which to choose.

Here are a few others that I really liked:

Matcha green tea froyo w/ strawberries, pound cake and strawberries from Yogurtland (such a classic combination) 

Vanilla malt froyo w/ toffee, whipped cream & wafer roll cookie from Yogurtland (love that Sweet Treats teddy bear spoon, the whipped cream swirls look so pretty)

Candy clouds & plain tart froyo w/ strawberries, frosted animal cookies & mochi from Yogurtland (the red color of the spoons complements the froyo and toppings)

It was interesting to look back at all my cups of froyo to see which flavors and toppings I selected. I found out the following:

• 27.5% of my cups weren't swirled by me (I went to a full serve froyo shop, most often it was Pinkberry)
• 19% of my cups didn’t have any toppings (I prefer froyo to toppings)
• 37.5% of my cups contained fresh fruit (if I had a tart flavor or went to Pinkberry, I almost always selected fruit, but sometimes tart flavors aren’t available or the fruit doesn’t look fresh)
• 70.5% of my cups had a single flavor (I don’t like mixing flavors)
• 4.5% were dairy-free (I like my dairy)

And, yes, I go to Yogurtland all the time.

Want to make your swirl look nicer? Read IFYA's Froyo Swirling Tips and get plenty of practice. Practice does help because you need to swirl with precision but also have a relaxed wrist.

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 Top This: The Ultimate Toppings Challenge

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland’s fall promotion begins today and runs through November 8th. Yogurtland's Top This: The Ultimate Toppings Challenge features three flavors (two are new) and four Instagram challenges.

• Fresh Strawberry: One of Yogurtland’s most popular flavors features a mix of different types of strawberries. “A delightfully sweet treat blended with real, hand-selected strawberries for a fresh flavor that’s good for you and good for your cup!” This sweet creamy flavor reminds me of strawberry ice cream and evokes feelings of nostalgia.
• Recommended toppings: gummy bears, Fruity Pebbles, popping boba
• Vanilla Malt: “Pile it high, pack it on and use the tastiest malted vanilla flavor to create the most whimsical masterpiece imaginable.” The malt flavor is subtle but the vanilla flavor is pronounced, like vanilla soft serve but it still tastes like yogurt too. Yum!
• Recommended toppings: Malt balls, white chocolate chips, Nilla wafers, toffee bits
• Chocolate Truffle: “Indulge yourself in this perfectly decadent flavor made with real cocoa sourced straight from Europe. It’s the perfect canvas for your delicious froyo creation.” I generally don’t like chocolate froyo but this flavor was good – like chocolate ice cream with a mild milk chocolate flavor and creamy rich texture. It didn’t taste just like a fudgsicle.
• Recommended toppings: Brownies, cheesecake, chocolate sauce, cookie dough, Oreos

The flavors are available while supplies last. The three flavors remind me of the classic ice cream parlor flavors you’d find in a traditional banana split or Neapolitan ice cream sandwich. 

While you’re enjoying your creations, be sure to take pictures and share them on Instagram with the tag, #YLTopThis. Or you can share your creation via Snapchat – sent to @YogurtlandInc

The contest themes are:

• Most Decadent (9/14 – 9/27): “Make the most indulgent, truly mouthwatering masterpiece.”
• Most Fruit-a-licious (9/28 – 10/11): “Show us how you do healthy.”
• Most Whimsical (10/12 – 10/25): “Create the most magical and crazy creation you can.”
• Most Colossal (10/26 – 11/8): “Pile it to the sky.”

Oreo disks are back! And keep checking for the return of Pumpkin Pie froyo. Ask for it if your Yogurtland doesn’t carry it (maybe they’ll order it for you).

New Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/froyogirl/yogurtland-top-this-fall-2015/

Top This reminds me of the IFYA's Froyo Swirling Skills contest though that was a video contest...
You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Here’s the official Yogurtland press release for Top This:

One Year of Free Yogurtland for Winners of the Ultimate "Top This" Challenge

Yogurtland Introduces Two New Flavors

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 14, 2015) - For Yogurtland fans who like to pile, style, and go the full mile with toppings on mounds of frozen yogurt, now is the time to show your stuff. Today Yogurtland kicks off the ultimate Top This Challenge, inviting guests to use Instagram and Snapchat to showcase their topping skills for a chance to win free frozen yogurt for a Year.

Yogurtland guests are encouraged to literally play with their food by coming up with most colorful, patterned, abstract and clever frozen yogurt monuments they can imagine. Those who rise to the occasion by making giant self-served frozen works of art can post their creations to Instagram using the hashtag #YLTOPTHIS for a chance to win a year of free Yogurtland frozen yogurt. Yogurtland is also introducing its Snapchat channel, and fans are encouraged to share the making of their creation with Yogurtland at @yogurtlandinc.

Yogurtland's Top This Challenge runs through Nov. 8 and features four categories -- Most Decadent, Most Fruit-a-Licious, Most Whimsical and Most Colossal.

"We think yogurt toppings are a reflection of our culinary and artistic creativity, and we can't wait to see our fans' inspired creations," said Scott Shoemaker, Yogurtland's chief flavorologist.

To give fans a solid flavor foundation for their creative topping efforts, Yogurtland is introducing two new flavors -- Chocolate Truffle and Vanilla Malt. All locations will be serving these flavors along with Fresh Strawberry throughout the topping challenge.

Using only real cocoa sourced directly from Europe, the velvety and decadent sensation from Yogurtland's new Chocolate Truffle frozen yogurt will leave chocolate lovers with a lasting impression difficult to forget.

As the perfect complement to any topping, Yogurtland brings guests back to that glorious aroma and smoothness of vanilla flavor frozen yogurt with their creation Vanilla Malt.

The Yogurtland Difference

At Yogurtland, a modern, bright wall of flavors and a colorful appealing topping bar filled with healthful and indulgent options welcomes guests. Paying by the ounce, guests can choose daily among 16 yogurt flavors and more than 60 fruit and premium toppings to create their own delicious frozen treat and top it off their way.

Separating Yogurtland from competitors is the company's team of flavorologists who develop the proprietary recipes for the brand's more than 100 different and customized flavors. Whether traditional or exotic, each flavor uses real ingredients sourced from their original locations. By controlling the entire frozen yogurt making process, Yogurtland has raised the standards for flavors and quality to new heights and much to the delight of millions of fans.

Naturally occurring calcium makes Yogurtland yogurt a healthful, refreshing treat. Fruit flavors are also fortified with Vitamin C. 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- and low-fat yogurt flavors as well as non-dairy and no sugar added choices.

Presently there are Yogurtland locations across the U.S., Australia, Guam, Thailand, Venezuela and Dubai. For more information, visit http://www.yogurt-land.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.

Froyo Swirling Stars Selected

Fro-yo girl here. The Froyo Swirling Skills contest, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) is over and two winners have been proclaimed official froyo swirling stars.

The winners and best swirlers are:

First Prize: @db_pottery, https://instagram.com/p/4fQe99CxSz/

Second Prize: @lequarterone, https://instagram.com/p/43G7z0j_Vi/

The two winners were selected based on the Instagram videos that they submitted. The videos demonstrated their froyo swirling skills. @db_pottery is a veteran swirler while @lequarterone used the unicycle method (it’s crazy but it works) to swirl his froyo.

Be sure to check out their winning videos for inspiration.

First prize: 100 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland

Second prize: 50 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland

Congratulations to the winners!

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.

Unlimited Cup Lessons

Fro-yo girl here. For Yogurtland Real Reward members, the ultimate reward for eating froyo is the coveted “Unlimited Cup.”

To earn the Unlimited Cup you need to (1) be a Real Rewards member and (2) collect 520 points within a year of the day you first joined Real Rewards (or the anniversary of the day you first joined).

Generally, one ounce of froyo and toppings is equal to one point though sometimes they have double point promotions (most of these are for new Real Rewards members). The free froyo you earn along the way doesn’t earn you any points. If you buy gift cards, the points go to the person using the gift card at the time he/she is paying for the yogurt.

With the free froyo rewards every 36 points, you have to eat way more than 520 ounces to get to your Unlimited Cup. Once you earn the Unlimited Cup, you have a month to redeem it. You can redeem it at any Yogurtland store whenever you want. Whatever fits in the 16 ounce cup is yours, free.

Tips for Building Your Unlimited Cup

• (Pre-planning) Choose a day/time that isn’t busy (generally going when Yogurtland first opens should work) so people don’t get in your way. Bring a tray (e.g., the FreeHand ThumbTray from CarryOutSupplies.com makes it easy to carry multiple cups of froyo).
• (Pre-planning) Be sure to start with the 16 oz cup (if you start with the larger cup, you may have to transfer what’s in it to the 16 oz cup
• (Pre-planning) Survey the available flavors and toppings and decide what you want before you start. 
• Keep in mind that some toppings freeze better than others (e.g., fresh fruit, gummy bears don’t freeze well). Cookies and nuts still taste good when frozen. Nuts are probably the best because they don’t get soggy.
• Pick froyo flavors that will complement each other. Forget using a cup divider. 

You’re ready to start building your cup.

1. Build a base of toppings about 1 inch on the bottom – pack it solid with toppings – cookies and nuts. Use a spoon to mash together and make a smooth, even surface. The toppings base was about four ounces in my cup.
2. Add froyo – no one sees what’s inside the cup. Try swirling to fill the cup (usually I start from the edges and then fill in the center). Don’t exceed the rim of the cup. Once you’ve gotten close to the rim, stop and tap the bottom of the cup hard against the table. This will fill in any air pockets. Add more froyo till you reach the rim. Stop.
3. Add a ring of wafer roll cookies. Make sure the cookies are firmly placed in the froyo. Place them in right next to each other at a slight outward angle (not straight up and down). This will form a wider base for your froyo.
4. Swirl around the outside edges…then start building your froyo towers . Don’t move the cup too much, a gentle back and forth motion will work. Do this 3 to 5 times till you reach the maximum height. Towards the end you can place the cup on the shelf below and move it a little that way. The multiple towers add stability to the overall structure. The goal is to get to 50-70 ounces.
5. Add additional toppings if desired. Redeem your reward. Take plenty of pictures. Grab a few cups to transfer your froyo to so that you can take it home. The tray will come in handy.

For additional inspiration, check out the Pinterest board, Unlimited Cups of 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.

Final Days: IFYA's Instagram Video Contest Seeks Froyo Swirling Stars

Fro-yo girl here. Are your froyo swirls worthy of admiration? Can you show others how to improve their froyo swirling skills? The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) is looking for you. The IFYA is looking for froyo swirling stars to inspire others to improve their swirling skills.

The two lucky winners will win free froyo (1st prize: 100 ounces of froyo, 2nd prize: 50 ounces of free froyo) and receive official recognition as Froyo Swirling Stars.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Make an Instagram video that shows how to make the perfect froyo swirl. Be sure to explain how to achieve that perfect swirl (you can describe your technique in your Instagram caption) and clearly show that your swirl looks picture perfect. 
2. Follow @intlfroyoassn on Instagram and tag your videos #FroyoSwirlingSkills. Share your video by July 7, 2015 - time is running out.

THE PRIZES

• First prize: Gift cards for 100 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland
• Second prize: Gift cards for 50 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland

ELIGIBILITY AND RULES No Purchase is Necessary. 

You can enter as many times as you’d like. The video you submit should be your own, a video that you created for this contest.

The contest ends July 7, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST.

Contestants must be at least 18 years old.

For complete rules, see: http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/official-rules-for-the-froyo-swirling-skills-contest/

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.

New Instagram Video Contest Seeks Froyo Swirling Stars

Fro-yo girl here. The International Frozen Yogurt Association is sponsoring an Instagram video contest to find the froyo swirling stars. Froyo fans are invited to create fun Instagram videos that prove that they have the froyo swirling skills it takes to be a froyo swirling star.

The Challenge: Make an Instagram video that shows how to make the perfect froyo swirl. Be sure to explain how to achieve that perfect swirl (you can describe your technique in your Instagram caption) and clearly show that your swirl looks picture perfect. 

Follow @intlfroyoassn on Instagram and tag your videos #FroyoSwirlingSkills by July 7, 2015.

The prize: Free froyo

• First prize: 100 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland
• Second prize: 50 ounces of free froyo from Yogurtland

Two winners will be chosen by the IFYA and notified on Instagram by July 28, 2015.

Eligibility and Rules

You can enter as many times as you’d like. The video you submit should be your own, a video that you created for this contest. You’ll need to have a public profile on Instagram in order for us to see your video.

The contest starts on June 7, 2015 at 8:00 AM PST and ends July 7, 2015 at 11:59 PM PST.

Contestants must be at least 18 years old.

No Purchase is Necessary.

For complete rules, see: http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/official-rules-for-the-froyo-swirling-skills-contest/

Show off your  froyo swirling skills! Good luck froyo fans! 

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.

Best Swirl of 2014

Fro-yo girl here. I'm about to swirl my last cup of froyo for the year, so it's a good time to look back at all my cups of froyo consumed in 2014.

You can see all my 2014 froyo cups consumed on my Pinterest board, Froyo Consumed by Me in 2014.

After looking at all my cups of froyo that I swirled this year, I picked out the nicest cup of froyo that I personally swirled.

And the winner is...a cup of Flan and Black Currant Berry Tart froyo with praline macadamia nuts, chocolate covered almonds, mochi, strawberries and graham cracker crumbs swirled on March 31 at Yogurtland San Francisco during the 2nd Annual Yogurtland Flavor Quest. I couldn't get enough of the flan flavor and I loved black currant berry tart as well.

It's more challenging to swirl two separate flavors side by side than one flavor. In my best swirled cup, I've achieved two swirls of equal height and diameter, with well defined swirls that point in the same direction. Not easy.

It was interesting to look back at all my cups of froyo to see which flavors and toppings I selected. I found out the following:

* 21% of my cups weren't swirled by me (I went to a full serve froyo shop)
* 18% of my cups contained pumpkin froyo, since it's generally available for 2-3 months, that's a lot of pumpkin froyo
* Over 130 cups of froyo consumed, or more than a cup of froyo every 3 days

Want to make your swirl look nicer? Read IFYA's Froyo Swirling Tips and get plenty of practice.

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.

Best Swirl of 2013

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve examined all the pictures of fro-yo that I took this year and picked out my best looking froyo swirls. I had a good year of swirling. Years of practice have done wonders for my swirling skills.

My best swirl of 2013 was actually my first swirl of 2013. It’s a cup of plain tart froyo with neatly arranged toppings (chopped almonds, strawberries, granola, watermelon, blueberries) and two spoons. I swirled it at Yogurtland Alhambra. I remember the frozen yogurt texture was exceptional that night: firm, creamy, thick and smooth.

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

* YOGURTLAND: 1 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

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.