Culinary Tours Icelandic Style Skyr Review

Fro-yo girl here. Stater Bros. Market recently opened its first location in Pasadena. Of course, I had to see if I could find new frozen yogurt or yogurt products to try. And I found a new line of Icelandic style yogurt, aka skyr, that I hadn’t seen before, Culinary Tours. Culinary Tours products are carried by a variety of retailers, but the only one around here (Southern California) on the list is Stater Bros.

Stater Bros. was selling Culinary Tours Icelandic Style Skyr for 79 cents on sale. The regular price is 99 cents. That’s definitely cheap for skyr, which tends to be more expensive. One cup is 5 oz and contains at least 14g of protein. It’s made with whole milk and all-natural ingredients.

Available flavors: Coconut, Blueberry, Strawberry, Key Lime, Vanilla, Plain

• Vanilla: I didn’t have high expectations because of the low price, but I was pleasantly surprised by this yogurt. I noticed some small clumps but when I stirred the yogurt, it was smooth, thick, and extra glossy. I saw plenty of vanilla bean specks. It wasn’t too sweet but had a sour flavor and sour aftertaste that I actually enjoy. Of the three flavors I tried, this one had the least sugar and it was the thickest. It was also the one I liked the best. One serving had 150 calories, 5g total fat, 12g total carbohydrates, 10g sugars, and 15g protein. 
• Blueberry: This was the second best flavor. The blueberry yogurt was very thick and tangy, with an underlying sourness. It was a little chalky but the blueberry flavor was quite noticeable. I could see tiny bits of blueberry skin from the blueberry puree. 
• Key Lime: Of the three flavors that I tried, this had the most sugar and the least yogurt intensity. It was sweeter but still tangy. The fruit flavor was not as strong. 

Ingredients (vanilla): Grade A whole milk, grade A skim milk, sugar, vanilla extract, vanilla bean, live and active cultures.

The list of ingredients is short and simple.

For some reason, there’s very little information about this product online. It’s not even listed on the Culinary Tours website.

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.

Future Froyo Shop Pics: Yoga-urt #2

Fro-yo girl here. The news broke in early October that Yoga-urt is opening a second location in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The actual spot was just revealed, 2211 W. Sunset Blvd., and I just drove by to see it. It’s between a shop that I’ve been to a few times, Memento Mori, and a candle store, near the busy intersection of Sunset Blvd. and the 2 (N Alvarado St.). The signs are up. There are pictures of froyo and smoothies in the window.

The first shop opened three years ago in Kenneth Village (Glendale, CA). Mr. Froyo and I are regulars there and it’s the only froyo that he will eat. Yes, it’s organic, vegan, kosher, probiotic, and soy free. It’s LA’s first all organic, non-dairy froyo place. We love it because it tastes so fresh and natural. It’s handmade in small batches. They make their own almond milk. It’s the freshest, best froyo you can get. The gluten free cones are so good. The housemade sauces are fabulous. The shop has a particular scent that we love. Mr. Froyo even likes the music that they play. And the amazing woman behind Yoga-urt, Melissa Schulman, has poured her heart and soul into this business. She radiates positivity and sincerity (might be the yoga training coming through).

Expect to see Yoga-urt #2 open in Spring 2019. Of course, you should visit Yoga-urt #1, especially if you haven’t already tried it. Bring friends and anyone who loves froyo.

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

* YOGA-URT #1: 1407 ½ W Kenneth Rd., Glendale, CA 91201, http://www.yoga-urt.com/, IG: @yoga_urt
* YOGA-URT #2 (opening in 2019): 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.

Menchie’s Mandalay Village Opens in Port Hueneme, CA

Fro-yo girl here. I did miss the soft opening on October 22, ribbon cutting ceremony on October 26, and the grand opening weekend of Menchie’s Mandalay Village (Port Hueneme, CA), but it was pretty far to travel even for free froyo. However, I did swing by the shop before it opened and I visited it recently.

As I mentioned earlier, this location has 12 flavors a day for 59 cents an ounce, and the usual Menchie’s topping bar. They also sell frozen yogurt cakes and pre-packed quarts of froyo for $6.99. On Wednesdays, waffles are free, and a 20% discount for anyone who shows a military ID. It’s a fairly large location but far from the freeway. It’s in a large shopping center next to the Habit and across from Ross.

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

* MENCHIE’S MANDALAY VILLAGE: 563 West Channel Islands Blvd., Port Hueneme, CA 93041

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 Frozen Greek Yogurt Alert: Pita GR in Downey, CA

Fro-yo girl here. Pita GR (the GR stands for Greek) is a fine-fast casual Greek street food eatery that opened in late September 2018. The chef is Greek. I also learned that there's a good number of Greeks living in Downey and a Greek church.

The menu is simple: choose lamb (soulva or lamb chops), pork (yeero or souvlaki), chicken souvla or roasted sweet potato as a pita sandwich, salad or plate/merida. They also have dips, meat sold by weight, sides, desserts, Greek beer, Greek wine, drinks and GREEK FROZEN YOGURT with sour cherry syrup, lemon preserve, housemade baklava, or wildflower honey.

They make their own frozen Greek yogurt with their own recipe and they make their own baklava as well. There's only one flavor, plain.

* Frozen Greek yogurt with crumbled baklava ($5): I was impressed they had a shiny new Carpigiani soft serve machine. The set up, toppings, machine and cups made me think of Souvla SF. However, Pita GR’s Greek frozen yogurt is better than Souvla’s – and I love Souvla’s. There’s one flavor, plain, and the texture is amazing – it’s thick and smooth, it’s not icy or too creamy either. It tastes fresh and mildly tangy, with a clean finish. They make it with Greek yogurt. The baklava was fresh and soft. If I lived closer, I’d come for the froyo all the time. It's amazing.

Oh, the owners plan to open a Greek donut (loukoumades) shop next, at 9232 Lakewood Blvd. in Downey. They won't have froyo at the donut shop. Greek froyo with fresh loukoumades sounds divine, doesn't it?

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.

Pinkberry Introduces Pineapple Colada Flavor, Partners with New Aquaman Movie

Fro-yo girl here. I remember Pinkberry had a pina colada froyo flavor. Their newest flavor, Pineapple Colada, sounds very similar but it must be different because it’s listed separately on the Pinkberry website. Pineapple Colada froyo is tart and features pineapple and coconut. Sounds like pina colada? I doubt I ever had a cup of Pina Colada Pinkberry because I don’t like coconut.

However, I decided to try the new Pineapple Colada because of the special offer for Pinkcard holders, buy two Pineapple Colada Wave creations within two weeks, and get a free swirl. I was also intrigued to see the special Aquaman Pinkberry cup, because I’ve never seen a special Pinkberry promo cup before, except for the launch of the PinkCard years ago. The blue cup says Aquaman on one side and Pinkberry on the other.

The Pineapple Colada Wave features pretty blue Pineapple Colada froyo w/ fresh pineapple and metallic blue, silver, and white sprinkles. It was an unusual combination that I would have never chosen on my own but it worked. The yogurt was smooth and light. The coconut flavor was not too strong. It was mildly tangy. The sprinkles were bits of sugar that added a little crunch. The tangy pineapple pieces helped keep the creation from being too sweet.

Aquaman the Movie comes out on December 21, 2018.

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

Here’s the official press release:

Pinkberry Teams Up with the 'AQUAMAN' Movie to bring Fans a New Frozen Yogurt Flavor

Pineapple Colada Frozen Yogurt is Available for a Limited Time Only

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinkberry® (www.Pinkberry.com) is excited to introduce a new flavor, Pineapple Colada, to celebrate the new action adventure film Aquaman in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, on behalf of DC Entertainment. The film is set to release nationwide December 21, but customers can enjoy the special limited time flavor starting November 16.

The new tart flavor will also be featured as a combination called Aquaman's Pineapple Colada Wave. Made with Pineapple Colada frozen yogurt and topped with fresh sliced pineapple and metallic-toned sprinkles, Aquaman's Pineapple Colada Wave is a powerful new blend that is sure to please.

"We are ecstatic to team up with Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of Aquaman," said Lindsay Seli, national marketing manager for Kahala Brands™, parent company of Pinkberry. "The new Pineapple Colada flavor and super-powered combination are sure to be a hit on both land and sea!"

Pineapple Colada Frozen Yogurt is available at participating U.S. Pinkberry stores now until January 4. For more information or store locations visit www.Pinkberry.com, "Like" Pinkberry on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @Pinkberry or on Instagram @PinkberrySwirl.

About Aquaman

From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king.

Wan directs from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall, story by Geoff Johns & James Wan and Will Beall, based on characters created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger for DC. The film is produced by Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, with Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Jon Berg, Geoff Johns and Walter Hamada serving as executive producers. Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a Peter Safran Production, a James Wan Film, Aquaman. The film is set to hit theaters December 21st in 3D and 2D and IMAX, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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 27 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2900 locations in 34 countries.

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.

Hundreds of Collectible Froyo Spoons For Sale or Trade

Fro-yo girl here. Confession time. I’ve been collecting froyo spoons since 2009, when Yogurtland introduced ther first character spoons, the Tokidoki froyo spoons. Over the years, my froyo spoon collection has expanded – to the point where I have TOO MANY FROZEN YOGURT SPOONS. The spoons are taking up too much space. After a couple of hours, I’ve organized my spoons and I’m ready to reduce my froyo spoon collection.

Here are the spoons that I’d like to sell or trade:

Yogurtland Looney Tunes spoons (2013)

• 8 Bugs Bunny grey spoons 
• 3 Tweety yellow spoons - CLAIMED
• 5 Road Runner blue spoons 
• 6 Marvin the Martian green spoons 

Yogurtland Ultimate Summer metallic spoons (2014)

• 8 purple 
• 5 blue 
• 4 green 
• 7 silver 
• 10 red 

13 Yogurtland Hershey’s chocolate spoons (2015)

Yogurtland Candy Crush (2015)

• 5 blue sphere candy Sublime spoons 
• 10 teal gummy bear Tasty spoons 
• 7 orange Sodalicious spoons 
• 5 red Swedish fish Divine spoons 
• 3 purple flower candy Sweet spoons 

7 Yogurtland 10th anniversary logo magenta spoons (2016)

Yogurtland Kung Fu Panda (2016)

• 9 black panda spoons 
• 2 orange tiger (Tigress?) spoons - CLAIMED
• 6 yellow baby panda spoons 

Yogurtland Nintendo (2016)

• 5 Princess Peach pale pink spoons 
• 13 Mario red spoons 
• 7 green dinosaur spoons 
• 2 Luigi green spoons 

Yogurtland Trolls (2016)

• 7 magenta troll spoons 
• 14 pale blue troll spoons 

Yogurtland Hope (2017)

• 6 sunflower yellow spoons 
• 4 three flower pink spoons 

Yogurtland Joy (2017)

• 6 mud pie spoons 
• 11 red watermelon spoons 

6 Yogurtland blue flip flop spoons (2018)

Menchie’s Angry Birds (2016)

• 2 black bird spoons 
• 2 white bird spoons 
• 4 red bird spoons 

4 Menchie’s purple Mookie Born in the Moo-S-A spoons

6 Menchie’s brown Chip Away spoons

19 Menchie’s green Kiwi Mix It Up spoons 

2 Menchie's blue Pan spoons

4 Menchie’s color changing Menchie blue wizard spoons

5 Menchie's Oh What Fun Christmas red spoons (Menchie holding a gingerbread man) 

8 Menchie's Unwrap the Yumm! Christmas red spoons (Menchie in a froyo cup with a bow)

7 Menchie's Alvin & the Chipmunks red Christmas spoons

3 Tutti Frutti orange fruit spoons 

2 Tutti Frutti green fruit spoons

I’m happy to send pictures of any spoons.

Price list:

• 1-9 spoons: $1 each 
• 10 spoons: $8, 80 cents each additional spoon 
• 20 spoons: $15, 70 cents each additional spoon
• 30 spoons: $20, 60 cents each additional spoon 
• 50 or more spoons: 50 cents each 

Shipping:

• $2.75 + 75 cents for each additional item 
• Free shipping if you order 10 or more spoons 

If you’d like to trade, I’m looking for the following froyo spoon designs:

• 16 Handles heart and froyo cup spoons in pink and green, blue logo spoons, Welch’s grape spoons 
• Frogurt Calgary white mascot spoons
• JOJI Yogurt purple space girl spoons 
• Moyo spoons from Mexico (especially the Sanrio ones, but also the yeti ones, bird ones, heart ones, etc.) 
• Sour Sally green hand spoons 
• Yogen Fruz blue spoons with cut out smile/U shape 
• Yoppi Yogurt Hello Kitty spoons from Taiwan 

If you think you have some rare froyo spoons that I haven’t mentioned but might be interested in, let me know. I also have other frozen yogurt spoons, not listed here (e.g., Yogurtland's Tokidoki and Sanrio spoons, Tutti Frutti light up spoons, Tuttimelon spoons), that I might be willing to trade if you have any of the spoons that I’m looking for. Leave a comment below or email froyogirl@gmail.com.

Also, if anyone wants hundreds of plain Yogurtland and regular Menchie's spoons, let me know.

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.

Tenth Blogiversary of Fro-yo Girl Speaks

Fro-yo girl here. This is embarrassing, but I forgot to acknowledge my tenth blogiversary on October 20, 2018. I was so busy planning for Halloween that it just slipped my mind. This week I finally organized my froyo spoon collection and I realized I’ve been collecting froyo spoons for almost ten years. I have so many spoons that I need to sell or trade some of them (see my next post).

Ten years. I’ve seen so many froyo shops come and go. The ones that closed that I really miss are:

• Culture Organic Frozen Yogurt in Palo Alto (my 2008 cup of Culture strawberry froyo with nectarines is pictured, the first picture ever posted to this blog) 
• Jubili in San Francisco: The first place I tried tart froyo and mochi balls
• The original (1st) Tuttimelon on Irving St. in San Francisco 
• Pinkberry in Pasadena and Glendale 
• Sno:la in Beverly Hills 

The question I get asked the most is who has the best froyo. During the past few years while froyo shops have added soft serve ice cream, gelato, and frozen custard, along with indulgent flavors, I’ve been obsessed with the simplicity of the plain Greek frozen yogurt with Greek toppings at Souvla in San Francisco, the organic, sophisticated flavors at Easy Breezy in San Francisco, and the plant-based, organic, kosher, soy-free, probiotic luscious offerings at Yoga-urt in Glendale, CA. The frozen yogurt at the three places I listed tastes fresher and less processed.

If I lived in NYC, I’m sure that I would be a frequent visitor to Culture. I’m happy that I’ve been there more than once. 

My favorite froyo memories over the years are:

• Attending the 2014 Critics Choice TV Awards as Yogurtland's guest. Yogurtland served froyo at the event. The big winners that year were Orange Is the New Black, Masters of Sex, and True Detective. Thanks, Yogurtland!!!
• Attending YoCream's Froyo Conference in 2011 as YoCream's guest. I learned about froyo store operations, toured the factory, and met the founder of YoCream, John Hanna, and other important people in froyo. Thanks, YoCream!!!
• Visiting Yogurtland HQ and talking to Phillip Chang in his office.
• Visiting Menchie's HQ and talking to Amit Kleinberger. He kept smiling!
• Meeting the Pinkberry team, including Ron Graves, and sampling test flavors at Pinkberry HQ
• Attending the NRA Show in Chicago
• Meeting Roy Lam of Tuttimelon and getting the VIP treatment at Tuttimelon openings. I still have all the t-shirts, Tuttimelon merchandise, and Tuttimelon bear.
• Visiting Jonathan Rim, the owner of Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt in Dublin and getting free froyo to take home
• Spending time with the owners of the Bay Area Red Mango locations: Richard, Steven and Yul
• Every National/International Frozen Yogurt Day
• Starting the National Frozen Yogurt Association
• Conducting froyo research
• Winning the Yogurtland San Francisco marketing plan competition
• The time Yogurtland sent me a set of Tokidoki froyo spoons and a Tokidoki t-shirt

I started the blog in 2008 to track frozen yogurt news – and that’s still the main purpose. Thank you so much to my fans and readers and keep eating frozen yogurt! 

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.