2023 Pumpkin Yogurt Rankings

Fro-yo girl here. I’ve tasted and reviewed many pumpkin froyo brands, but this is my first pumpkin yogurt (non-frozen) taste-off. I started by buying the pumpkin flavors of yogurt brands that I like.

All of the yogurts that I selected contained real pumpkin with spices and they were all thick and creamy, though La Fermiere wasn't as thick since it isn't a Greek yogurt. But there were definite differences in the amount of pumpkin flavor, the amount of spices, and the pleasantness of the spice blends. Also, some yogurts had ingredients that weren't present in the other brands.

And the winner was...Ellenos Pumpkin Pie. This yogurt tasted a lot like a good pumpkin pie, and that was before I added the separate container of crunchy cookie crumble. Culina's pumpkin spice yogurt was the spiciest but it didn't taste like pumpkin pie. I would buy all of them again, except for the Trader Joe's pumpkin yogurt. 

Here's a bit more about each yogurt, in order of their taste ranking. 

#1) Ellenos Pumpkin Pie is a non-blended Greek yogurt made with whole milk. It comes with a separate compartment that contains a crunchy cookie crumble. Ellenos captured the true flavor of pumpkin pie, balancing spices, pumpkin, and tangy yogurt flavors. The cookie crumble tastes like buttery graham crackers. So good! One 7 oz serving is 330 calories; 13g total fat; 31g total sugars; 15g protein.

#2) La Fermiere Pumpkin Spice is a French style whole milk yogurt in a glass jar. The pumpkin puree is on the bottom. The pumpkin puree was too sweet but I did like the flavor of the puree, spices, and tangy yogurt. One 5.6 oz serving is 210 calories; 11g total fat; 22g total sugars; 4g protein.

#3) Culina Pumpkin Spice is a dairy-free coconut based blended Greek style yogurt. The strong nutmeg flavor with a hint of coconut was unique and different than the other yogurts. One 5 oz serving is 240 calories; 17g total fat; 11g total sugars; 2g protein.

#4) Noosa Pumpkin is an Australian style non-blended whole milk yogurt. It had a few ingredients not found in the other brands: honey and cream cheese and honey. It didn't have much spice and had a caramel-like flavor. One 8 oz serving is 280 calories; 12g total fat; 30g total sugars; 11g protein.

#5) Trader Joe's Pumpkin is a Greek nonfat yogurt. It had the least pumpkin flavor and reminded me of apple cider. One 5.3 oz serving is 130 calories; 0g total fat; 17 total sugars; 12g protein.

I did look for Chobani pumpkin yogurt but I only saw Chobani Zero Sugar pumpkin spice. I found all but Trader Joe's yogurt at Whole Foods. I was surprised that Whole Foods didn't have Siggi's Pumpkin & Spice skyr. I still hope to find it. It has less sugar than all the brands that I reviewed. 

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.

Last Days of the National Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey, Five Respondents Will Win Froyo Gift Cards

Fro-yo girl here. If you visit froyo shops and you’re over 13 in the US, take the National Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey. All eligible survey respondents will be entered into a random drawing to win one of five $25 froyo shop gift cards to any US shop that offers online gift cards. Winners will be selected in a random drawing and can choose their froyo gift card. One entry per person. 

Take the 7-minute survey at tinyurl.com/2023froyosurvey

The short survey, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association, asks about your current froyo consumption and preferences. The survey results will be shared with frozen yogurt shops and others in the frozen yogurt industry. 

The survey closes at midnight PST on Saturday, September 30, 2022.

Winners will be contacted via email and announced on the IFYA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/froyoassociation/) by October 7, 2023 If any prizes are unclaimed by October 14, 2023, alternate winners will be selected from the eligible entries until all the prizes are awarded. 

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 Fall Flavor at Yogurtland: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie

Fro-yo girl here. Now that the “back to school” time of year is over and it’s officially fall, Yogurtland has a new froyo flavor, Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie. It’s described by Yogurtland as a rich delight, “where the warmth of brown butter notes mingle with the sweetness of chocolate chips in a cool and creamy frozen treat.” Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie is a lowfat froyo made with real chocolate and graham crumbs.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie froyo: Well, it really does taste like chocolate chip cookies made with brown sugar. It seemed sweeter than average. I’d rather have a real chocolate chip cookie though – there’s something about the contrast between the crispy edges and chewiness with big chunks of chocolate that’s just so satisfying. Recommended toppings: chocolate chips, whipped cream, Oreos, and chocolate chip cookies.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie froyo is available while supplies last at participating locations. Check the Flavor Finder on the Yogurtland website and app.

It's hard to believe that Yogurtland didn’t have a chocolate chip cookie froyo before. The closest thing was their Cookie Dough froyo which came out in 2021 which is a chocolate chip cookie dough flavor.

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.

Gjusta’s Sheep’s Milk Yogurt Review

Fro-yo girl here. I finally made it Gjusta in Venice and I found out they have their own grocery store called Gjusta Grocer. Gjusta Grocer had tubs of Gjusta sheep’s milk yogurt with plum compote. They make their own yogurt! I think I might have seen it at Gjusta too. I’m sure the compotes are seasonal. Plums are in season.

Sheep’s Milk Yogurt with Plum Compote: The yogurt is thick (not as thick as Greek yogurt or skyr) and sour. The compote isn’t that sweet though there are chunks of plum and the plum is naturally sweet. The compote adds some tang. I loved it because it tasted simple and natural, not overly sweetened and not overly processed. I’ll have to get more. It’s better than some of the sheep’s milk yogurt that I’ve gotten from farmer’s markets because those taste sweeter.

A tub is 8 oz and $6. The list of ingredients is short: sheep’s milk, local plums, lemon, organic sugar, salt. No nutritional information is provided. I’m guessing that it’s full fat because of the richness and taste of cream.

5 out of 5 stars

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

GJUSTA GROCER: 105 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

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 Guide to Thousand Oaks

 

Sweet XO at The Oaks

Fro-yo girl here. Thousand Oaks, California is the second largest city in Ventura County, with a population of 125,766. It’s 35 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and considered one of the safest cities in the US. Thousand Oaks also has a Tree City USA designation and is home to nearly 20,000 oak trees.

The first froyo shop in Thousand Oaks must have opened in the early 1980s and was probably a Penguin’s. Penguin’s was based in Thousand Oaks. It was founded in 1983 and reached well over 100 locations in 10 years. Penguin’s filed for bankruptcy in 1991. There were at least four TCBY shops in Thousand Oaks.

The Oaks Mall has been the center of the second wave of froyo activity in Thousand Oaks. Most of the newer froyo shops in town have been at The Oaks. The Oaks is currently home to Menchie’s and a Pinkberry vending machine.

There are currently three places to get froyo in Thousand Oaks: Menchie’s, Pinkberry (vending machine), and Wild Cherry.

Current Froyo Shops (& a Vending Machine)

• Menchie’s, 168 W Hillcrest Dr. #1, opened a self-serve froyo emporium in 2012 by the movie theater. This location also sells froyo cakes.
• Pinkberry by iCream, 350 W Hillcrest Dr, is a froyo vending machine by the Sprinkles cupcake ATM at The Oaks. The machine was installed in 2022.
• Wild Cherry Frozen Yogurt, 1724 N Moorpark Rd, is a self-serve froyo shop that also sells boba drinks. When they first opened in 2010, they charged $0.33/oz. Wild Cherry also has a location in Camarillo and one that closed in Ventura.

Former Froyo Shops

• Bericup, 382 W Hillcrest Dr., was a self-serve froyo shop in the food court area of The Oaks Mall. The shop opened in 2009 and may have closed in 2014. BeriCup was a froyo chain founded in Garden Grove, CA in 2007.
• Blizz Frozen Yogurt, 2200 Thousand Oaks Blvd, was a self-serve froyo chain from Southern California. It was open from 2010 – 2011.
• Golden Spoon, 2000 Avenida de los Arboles, closed in 2013. I’m not sure when it opened but probably before 2010.
• Golden Spoon, 1404 N Moorpark Rd., probably opened before 2010 and closed in 2013. The owner changed the concept to Tizzy’s Yogurt Café.
• Go Greek, 350 W Hillcrest Dr., opened in May 2018 at the Oaks Mall and closed less than a year later in March 2019. The authentic Greek yogurteria served fresh Greek yogurt and frozen Greek yogurt. The froyo was self-serve.
• Krave It, 350 Via Las Brisas, was a self-serve froyo shop that opened in 2015 and closed in 2017
• Lotus Yogurt Bar, 540 N Moorpark Rd STE 1, was a small self-serve froyo shop in the Village Square Shopping Center that opened in 2009 and closed in 2011. Lotus Yogurt Bar also had locations in Northridge and Hermosa Beach (both now closed).
• Mali Cuisine, 140 W Hillcrest Dr suite 111, was a Southeast Asian restaurant that also had self-serve froyo. It was open from 2016 – 2021.
• Penguin’s Frozen Yogurt, 1344 N Moorpark Rd, unknown opening and closing dates.
• SweetXO, 350 W Hillcrest Dr, opened on the 2nd floor of The Oaks Mall in 2014 and closed in 2015. The shop had self-serve froyo, ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, candy, and gifts.
• TCBY, 1772 E Avenida De Los Arboles, opened and closed in 2009 or 2010.
• TCBY, 212 W Hillcrest Dr, Ste M4, probably closed well before 2010
• TCBY, 3170 Los Feliz Dr, probably closed well before 2010
• TCBY, 378 W Hillcrest Dr #K010B, was at The Oaks Mall
• Tizzy Yogurt Café, 1404 N Moorpark Rd, opened in 2013. It was started by an ex-Golden Spoon franchisee and served froyo, shakes, smoothies, Belgian waffles, oatmeal, and coffee. It may have closed in 2014.
• Yozen Frogurt, 2416 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, opened in 2008 and closed in 2011. The original Yozen Frogurt opened in West Hills in 2007. The Thousand Oaks branch was self-serve.

I found 16 former froyo shops in Thousand Oaks. There were probably other Penguin’s locations but it’s difficult to find out much about them because they closed so long ago. Did I miss any froyo shops in Thousand Oaks? 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.

Loving Cup Quietly Closes OG Location in Russian Hill, San Francisco

Fro-yo girl here. Loving Cup closed the original location in Russian Hill earlier this summer. No announcement was made, so I’m not sure exactly when it closed. The last reviews were written in June 2023. I hadn’t visited that location for many years since the other ones were more convenient.

Loving Cup opened 356 Polk St. in late 2008, back when the tart froyo craze had taken over San Francisco. Loving Cup offered something different from other froyo shops because the froyo was mix-in style. Customers selected a size, a base (chocolate, vanilla or non-dairy), and mix-ins. The associate would hand churn everything together using a machine. They also sold rice pudding.

In late 2018, the owners of La Boulangerie acquired Loving Cup. As fans of Loving Cup, Pascal Rigo and Nicolas Bernadi hoped to open 100 locations in a few years. They also talked about adding Loving Cup to a few La Boulangerie locations.

As of September 2023, there are three Loving Cup locations, two in San Francisco (608 Divisadero St, 2201 Union St.) and one in Marin County. Apizza in San Francisco also serves Loving Cup. I haven’t heard anything about Loving Cup in La Boulangerie since 2018. Loving Cup has gone quiet as well. Their last Facebook post was in April 2020 and the last Instagram post in May 2021.

La Boulangerie has five remaining locations. The location in San Francisco's FiDi district that served Loving Cup has closed in 2020 or 2021.

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.

Take the National Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey for a Chance to Win Froyo Prizes

Fro-yo girl here. The 2023 National Frozen Yogurt Consumer Survey, sponsored by the International Frozen Yogurt Association, is now open. It's open to anyone over 13 who visits frozen yogurt shops in the US. The 7-minute online survey is about your froyo attitudes, preferences, and behavior.

Complete the online froyo survey by midnight Pacific Time on September 30, 2023 for a chance to win one of five $25 froyo shop gift cards. Winners can choose a gift card from any froyo shop in the US that sells online gift cards. 

Winners will be selected based on a random drawing. One entry per person please.

Take the short survey at http://tinyurl.com/2023froyosurvey

The survey results will be shared with frozen yogurt shops and others in the frozen yogurt industry to help shape the future of the industry.

Tell others to take the survey too!

The complete contest rules are available on our website.

Want to See the Results?

Anyone who is interested in receiving the survey results simply needs to share the survey invitation using a public profile. There are several ways to share the survey invitation, including sharing IFYA’s pinned Facebook post about the survey (https://www.facebook.com/froyoassociation/), pinned tweet (@froyogirl), or Instagram survey post (@froyoassociation) before September 28, 2023. Then, after sharing the post, send the IFYA a direct message with your email address. Your profile must be public.

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.