Bridging the gap between healthy living and sweet treats, frozen yogurt has re-invented itself, yet again. “Fro-yo,” fanatics are flooding these healthy and refreshingly tasteful establishments, rather than finding comfort in high calorie desserts residing in what has become a nation smitten over Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry (my personal favorite).
So why, once again, the craving for a cold cup of guilt free bliss?
Perhaps it’s the creativity and innovation involved in positioning oneself as a frozen yogurt leader in a $2 billion marketplace, complimented by the health conscious movement sweeping our nation in recent years.
In today’s market, frozen yogurt retailers are all about developing low-calorie, zero fat, low-sugar products filled with live active bacteria cultures, often called probiotics. These cultures impart a lemon-lime like tartness to the product, aid in healthy digestion and contain immune enhancing attributes. “People who eat it every day know that it's a product with positive health benefits,” says Dan Kim, president and CEO of Red Mango. “It's part of a healthy lifestyle.”
On yogurt menus across the country, you’ll also find frozen yogurt high in protein and fiber, all-natural, gluten-free frozen yogurt, and even frozen yogurt with a Grecian flare, strained organic yogurt thickened with thickening agents for a more smooth and silky texture.
Consumers are also gravitating towards unique and exotic flavors such as green tea, cheesecake, red velvet, tart, cookies n' cream, mango, pomegranate raspberry and much more! Frozen yogurt research and development teams now have an increased focus on natural sweeteners, masking solutions and natural fruit flavors in order to satisfy their client’s throbbing sweet tooth.
Not only is the evolution of development and flavoring re-defining the frozen yogurt industry, but also the innovative design concepts surrounding its storefronts. “Fro-yo” is now being served in slick, minimalist stores with designer furniture and natural lighting. A far cry from the TCBY’s of the 1980’s.
Finally, we can’t discuss current trends and not mention the self serve frozen yogurt parlors popping up on every street corner. That’s right. Store owners are allowing the general public to create their own cups of guilt free bliss. Bring on the endless ounces of exotic yogurt flavors, fresh fruit, sliced almonds and dark chocolate slivers.
Go ahead, indulge a little. Spoil yourself with a healthy, delectable treat before the ”Fro-yo” fad retreats back into hibernation, only to re-emerge, once again, in about 10 years.