Pinkberry’s New Summer Flavor: Island Mango Froyo

 

Fro-yo girl here. Pinkberry just came out with new items for the summer: Island Mango Frozen Yogurt and two cold brew fruit teas, Strawberry Hibiscus and Island Mango. They recommend topping Island Mango Frozen Yogurt with freshly sliced mango, kiwi and granola pieces.

My first thought was, how is Island Mango different from their other Mango froyo flavor? According to the press release, Island Mango froyo has hints of banana and pineapple.

Though I wanted to try the new flavor, I was also filled with dread since I loathe bananas. Fortunately, the Pinkberry associate was able to offer samples. I tried it and it tasted like a tart mango froyo. I could not taste banana. When I asked the associate about it, she said she wasn’t told that Island Mango contained banana and she didn’t think it did. Very strange. I hate banana so much that I thought I could detect even a small amount of it. Also, the image they used for the flavor just shows a sliced mango – no bananas or pineapples. Strange. Did I try the real Island Mango? Did I fail to detect the banana? 

Island Mango froyo is available for a limited time, while supplies last.

I noticed multiple locations of Pinkberry changed their almonds from the sliced Marcona ones to roasted and chopped almonds. The sliced almonds were better. Sigh.

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

Full press release below:

Pinkberry Welcomes Summer with Island Mango Frozen Yogurt and Cold Brew Fruit Teas

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for warmer weather, Pinkberry® (www.Pinkberry.com) is serving up a mouthwatering frozen yogurt flavor, Island Mango, and two Cold Brew Fruit Teas, Strawberry Hibiscus and Mango Passionfruit. These refreshing treats can be enjoyed in stores beginning on May 21.

For a real taste of summer, try topping the Island Mango frozen yogurt with freshly sliced mango, kiwi and granola pieces. To quench your thirst, the Strawberry Hibiscus Tea and Mango Passionfruit Tea can both be shaken with fresh, hand cut fruit and flavored Bursting Boba.

"Our light and refreshing Island Mango Frozen Yogurt and Cold Brew Fruit Teas are the perfect addition to hot summer days," said Melissa Hubbell, senior director of marketing for Kahala Brands™, parent company of Pinkberry. "We know our customers are looking for delicious ways to stay cool this season and Pinkberry has something for everyone."

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!

Promotional Flavor:

Island Mango – mango frozen yogurt with hints of banana and pineapple

Promotional Cold Brew Fruit Teas:

Strawberry Hibiscus Tea – Cold brew hibiscus tea with strawberry bursting boba, fresh strawberries and fresh blueberries

Mango Passionfruit Tea – Cold brew black tea with mango bursting boba, fresh strawberries and fresh mango

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.

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.

Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt Finally Opens in Arcadia, San Gabriel Next

Fro-yo girl here. Yomie’s Yogurt opened in Rowland Heights in April 2021, becoming the first dedicated purple rice yogurt drink shop in the Los Angeles area. I drove over there a few weeks ago to try it and the shop was closed for maintenance that day. Very disappointing. According to the reviewers, it’s not an authentic Yomie location but a knockoff. The name is certainly very similar to the Australian chain that started the purple rice yogurt craze in Sydney’s Chinatown in late 2018: Yomie’s Yogurt vs. Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt.

The real Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt expanded into multiple countries and just opened branches in California this year. The first US location was in Bellevue, Washington. The California shops are in Arcadia, Millbrae, and San Leandro with locations opening soon in San Gabriel, Westfield Valley Fair (Santa Clara, CA), and Portland, Oregon

They say that they make the yogurt fresh in the store. I noticed there was a big refrigerator that seemed to be being used as a yogurt maker. The other places I had purple rice yogurt did not make their own yogurt.

Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt opened in Westfield Santa Anita on Friday, May 28. They took over the old Matcha Matcha space. Thought they just arrived in SoCal, they were already swamped with orders. They're known for the purple rice x yogurt drinks but also have fresh fruit tea and other yogurt drinks with durian, red bean, oats, jujube, salted egg, avocado, etc. The drinks come in one size and you can specify normal or less sugar.

Purple rice x yogurt ($6.15, less sweet): The sweet purple rice is nice and chewy and the yogurt lightly tangy. I like how the rice wasn't in tiny bits or clumped together. There was also a lot of rice, so every sip had yogurt and rice. The yogurt was a bit mild for me though (like mine tangier). It wasn't an icy slushy, so I liked that too. While I liked the drink, I wouldn't wait an hour for one and it feels a little overpriced. I'd rather have a froyo. But I'll be back to try a few more drinks.

For a history of purple rice yogurt drinks and health benefits, see IFYA’s post, Now Trending: Purple Rice Yogurt Drinks.

* YOMIE’S RICE X YOGURT: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Space 2203, Arcadia, CA 91007

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 Cerritos Sets Reopening Date, June 1

Fro-yo girl here. Back in March 2021, I was wondering if some of the temporarily closed Yogurtland mall locations in the Los Angeles area would reopen. Yogurtland Montebello and Yogurtland Century City have reopened. Yogurtland Cerritos remained closed with no updates that I could find. I don’t live near Cerritos but I decided to check out Los Cerritos Center and see what was going on at Yogurtland.

To my surprise, someone was inside Yogurtland Cerritos. Upon closer inspection, I spotted a sign that said re-opening June 1. Finally! Prinkipia Frozen Yogurt in Los Cerritos Center has already reopened and they allow self-serve.

Yogurtland Cerrito’s last Facebook post was in July 2020.

YOGURTLAND CERRITOS: 430 Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos, CA 90703

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.

West Covina, California Froyo Guide

Fro-yo girl here. West Covina, California caught my eye because it has two Yogurtland locations. The city is in the eastern end of San Gabriel Valley and has a population of 106,589. If you’re looking for froyo in West Covina, your options are:

• Yogurtland, 1002 W Covina Pkwy, opened in 2009: The first Yogurtland in West Covina is across the street from Plaza West Covina. I’ve been there a few times and haven’t had any issues. They actually moved from 1000 W Covina Pkwy.
• Yogurtland, 2500 S Azusa Ave, opened in 2015 at Island Plaza. I visited once and it was messier than the other Yogurtland West Covina location.
• Menchie’s, 245 N Barranca Ave, Ste 14, opened in 2011. I went once and the froyo was too icy. They have 14 self-serve froyo flavors a day.
• Yummy Yogurt, 112 Plaza Dr Spc 4592 – opened during the pandemic inside Plaza West Covina. It’s a kiosk on the first floor with 10 self-serve froyo flavors a day.

Froyo shops that closed:

• Joghurt, 3660 Nogales St, Ste B, from 2009-2019, was a self-serve froyo shop that also sold boba drinks.
• TCBY, 603 Plaza Dr., unknown dates – I’ve seen the listing for a TCBY inside West Covina Fashion Plaza, the indoor mall. I looked for TCBY at the mall and did not find it. TCBY is not listed in the mall directory. Foursquare says it’s closed. Yelp has one review from 2015.
• Tutti Frutti, 112 Plaza Dr., from 2010 – unknown closing date. Tutti Frutti was a kiosk on the 2nd floor of Plaza West Covina. It closed but I’m not sure when.
• Yogen Fruz, Westfield West Covina Mall 1474 Plaza Dr., from 2009-2012. Reviews were mostly favorable. People liked Yogen Fruz’s thicker mix-in style yogurt but some found it pricey.

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.

A Visit to Egg N Bird, Fried Chicken Café Opened by Yogurtland Founders in Maywood, CA

 

Fro-yo girl here. I heard about Egg N Bird a few months ago, but I didn’t think it had froyo, so I didn’t rush over. There was a froyo connection though. It’s the new concept from “the founders of Yogurtland.” But Egg N Bird does not have froyo machines and I didn’t see a mention of offering froyo till May 7. The new promo says you can “get a free cup of froyo from Yogurtland with your first online order. Create an account to receive the offer.” The offer is good for a limited time only (no end date was specified).

Egg N Bird opened in January 2021. It was started by the founders of Yogurtland and specializes in craveable egg and chicken sandwiches inspired by street food flavors from around the world (e.g., Korean, Nashville, banh mi, Southern). They use antibiotic and hormone-free chicken, cage-free eggs, and scratch-made sauces. They serve breakfast sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, chicken bowls, sides, desserts, and beverages.

Back to the froyo, they have a small freezer filled with pre-packed Yogurtland froyo cups ($2.99 – free with first online purchase). I decided to place my order online to get the free cup of froyo. I specified the pickup time and showed up on time. The app told me to go to the takeout window on the side of the building. I did but no one came to the window. They told me they could not open the window. My order was ready but they must have cooked it way before I picked it up because the chicken was warm (not hot) and the bottom bun was totally soggy.

Also, it was unclear how to redeem the free cup of froyo since the website and app did not say. If you added the froyo to your order, there was no code given to deduct the cost of the cup.

Soggy bun aside, I enjoyed the banh mi fried chicken sandwich and my cup of Plain Tart froyo. Of course, prepacked froyo isn’t as tasty as froyo coming out of a soft serve machine.

They’ve been open for five months now and still have some technical issues to work out. Hope that they do.

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

* EGG N BIRD: 4469 E Slauson Ave, Maywood, CA 90270

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 Lakewood Grand Reopening – New Menu Items, New Look

Fro-yo girl here. Yogurtland Lakewood recently closed for remodeling and reopened with a new look and expanded menu. They’re having a grand reopening event this Saturday, May 22. The first 50 people will get a free $20 promo card. They’ll have music, a balloon artist, games and more.

The green tiled wall has been replaced by white rectangular tiles. The Yogurtland logo is accented with a green leaf with the initial H, mini green leaves, and the word Holsom. So Yogurtland Lakewood is now Holsom by Yogurtland.

There are new menu items: Smoothies, shakes, fruit bowl fusions, and create your own acai bowls. While Yogurtland Lakewood already had shakes, these are different. Before, you’d choose whatever you wanted and they’d blend it. Now there are set flavors. Prices are very reasonable ($4.99 -$7.95). They added premium toppings like goji berries, flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, matcha powder, cacao powder, etc.

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

* YOGURTLAND LAKEWOOD: 5017 Lakewood Blvd, Lakewood, CA 90712

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.

Kenji x Tsujiri Matcha Brown Sugar Boba Bars Review

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve heard of Tsujiri’s matcha cafes before (there aren’t any in the US yet) but I’ve never tried one. Tsujiri was founded in 1860 in Kyoto, Japan and is a well-respected matcha tea brand. “Mr. Tsuji has refined the cultivation of Gyokuro (the highest grade of Japanese green tea) and his method is still being used to this day. He is also the inventor of the tea box that preserves the longevity and freshness of the tea leaves during transportation, making fresh tea from Kyoto available to other Japanese cities a century ago.”

I found Tsujiri Matcha Brown Sugar Frozen Dessert Bars at H Mart in Arcadia, CA. One box contains four individually wrapped bars. Each bar is 80g. The box was $8.99 (regular price). The bars were imported from Taiwan and manufactured by Kenji.

Tsujiri Matcha Brown Sugar Boba Frozen Dessert Bar: The bar had a firm but not icy texture. I took a small bite from the top and already encountered soft, chewy tapioca pearls (boba). The bar had brown sugar swirls throughout. The matcha was a bit bitter. The bar had an abundance of boba. I might be in the minority but I don’t think that brown sugar and matcha are complementary flavors. But the bar had better than average textures for a boba ice cream bar. It's very similar to A-Chino’s version. One bar is 158 calories, 6.4 total fat, 23.5g total carbs, 15.4g total sugars, and 1.5g protein.

4 out of 5 stars.

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

HMART: 1101 W Huntington Dr., 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.