Of the six national chains we surveyed for the video above, we came across additives like guar gum, maltodextrin, sodium citrate, cellulose gum, disodium phosphate and propylene glycol monoesters to name just a few don't-sound-like-food ingredients. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Once upon a time, frozen dessert was so simple. This was ok and good at the soft-serve consistency and had a very strong yogurt flavor (which is ok, it is yogurt) but this is nothing more than a block of hard frozen solid yogurt when allowed to ripen in the freezer (I did overnight) leaving me to wonder why I went through the process of using an ice cream … Frozen Yogurt. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Never Miss a Beat! In the United States, frozen yogurt is a blend of 90% ice milk mix and 10% plain yogurt (Chandan and Kilara, 2013). Fooled me! Custard is also only overrun 20% at most, which adds to the creaminess. While ice cream is higher in fat, frozen yogurt can be higher in added sugar. Frozen yogurt has fewer calories and half the fat of ice cream, which helps me rationalize the exorbitant amount of chocolate chips piled high on top of my yogurt. In most cases, frozen yogurt contains cultured milk (read: yogurt) instead of cream, along with sweeteners and other flavorings. “Lowfat” ice cream: Contains a maximum of 3 grams of total fat per serving (1/2 cup). Some ice creams have higher fat content, and are extremely rich and creamy as a result. stated one judge. Sugars: 19g, Calories: 138 Sugars: 24g, Calories: 207 Is Frozen Yogurt Better Than Ice Cream? We sampled 27 varieties of frozen yogurt and found 3 to be the cream of the crop, Häagen-Dazs Low-Fat Vanilla Frozen Yogurt, Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta With Garlic Bread Breadcrumbs. We used vanilla varieties for our baseline. Given its signature tart flavor, many try to compensate by adding sweetness. Since the yogurt is cultured milk, frozen yogurt has a sour or tart and while some frozen yogurts are like soft-serve ice cream, other varieties have a smooth texture with a tangy and sweet flavor. Tart Frozen Yogurt: Pinkberry Original, Phileo Plain Tart, Häagen-Dazs Tart Natural, 16 Handles Original Tart, Yolato Plain, Red Mango Original, TCBY Classic Tart, Trader Joe's Plain Nonfat Pleasantly Tart. Sugars: 22.1g, Calories: 138 “In order to get rid of the tart taste, [fro-yo companies often] add sugar,” says Kofky. 4. Lastly, we sampled 8 soft-serve (or harder) frozen yogurts in the popular tart flavor widely sold at fro yo shops; 2 are available at supermarkets, and the others are sold at yogurt chains. Freeze for 2 hours. Frozen yogurt (also known as froyo or frogurt) substitutes yogurt in place of the bulk of the cream used in ice cream. "Tastes like cake batter," said another. Phew. Frozen yogurt (also known as froyo or frogurt) substitutes yogurt in place of the bulk of the cream used in ice cream. Cons: Not ideal for people who are sensitive to gluten (for more on this, see Tofutti's FAQs); however, Good Karma Organic Rice Divine Very Vanilla is a great alternative. There may also be more air churned into some frozen yogurts, since fro-yo has no weight requirement like ice cream does. TCBY (the name originally meaning “This Can’t Be Yogurt,” which was later updated to “The Country’s Best Yogurt”) opened their first shop in 1981, and by the mid-eighties, soon became the world’s largest frozen yogurt franchise. All were sampled free of toppings. I'm not really fond of plain frozen yogurt, but I'll eat it if it is coconut-flavored and has chocolate chips. W ith the explosion of high-end frozen yogurt stores in every city and the continual rollout of frozen yogurt–type desserts made with nondairy ingredients, we decided it was high time to roll up our sleeves, grab some spoons, and start tasting to decide which frozen yogurt really is the best. It is almost as smooth as ice cream, is often available in a different set of flavors, and has a lot fewer calories. Frozen yogurt does not contain cream, so it’s lower in calories and fat as compared to ice cream. Frozen yogurt is less icey, and has far fewer limitations when it comes to flavor choices. Edy's Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Vanilla Yogurt Blend may contain live and active cultures, but it was considered way too sweet by all the judges, with little body. The pH of most popular frozen yogurt is around 6 and it tastes more like ice milk/cream with a hint of yogurt. When comparing fro-yo to ice cream, you have to throw in the health benefits here too because frozen yogurt is technically healthier than ice cream. Cons: Cannot be purchased at your supermarket. “Nonfat” ice cream: Contains less than 0.5 grams of total fat per serving. Fat: 4.8g “Light” ice cream: Contains at least 50% less total fat or 33% fewer calories than the referenced product (the average of leading regional or national brands). According to the USDA, ice cream, by definition, contains between 10% and 18% milkfat, and between 12% to 16% sweeteners by weight. Frozen yogurt is a popular dessert made with yogurt. Sugar is crucial to making a creamier frozen yogurt. Low-Fat or Fat-Free Vanilla Frozen Yogurt: Häagen-Dazs Vanilla, Julie's Organic Vanilla Bean, Sweet Scoops Madagascar Vanilla, Turkey Hill Vanilla Bean, Stonyfield Farm Gotta Have Vanilla, Edy's Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Vanilla Yogurt Blend. Fat: 5.6g Likewise, a lot of folks are all about sweet, while some adore yogurt’s tangy taste. What’s Working For You Sugars: 19g, Calories: 220 Sugars: 6.3g. You might want put it back after you read about these health risks, USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 27, How to get beautiful nails: 9 tips for your next mani-pedi, Disclaimer, Disclosure & Terms of Use Agreement. Yes and no. Sugars: 21.2g, Calories: 180 Pinkberry Original Frozen Yogurt($3.43 for a small serving without toppings). Learn how your comment data is processed. Because yogurt is cultured milk, it tends to have a bit of a sour flavor, compared to milk. These days, we’re surrounded by choices — ice cream, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, gelato and other tasty treats. ), for those with a dairy, soy, or gluten allergy or intolerance; supermarket products vs. yogurt sold at chain eateries; and a multitude of flavors and degrees of tanginess. Add in your favorite healthful mix-ins, like fresh fruit and crunchy nuts, and you’ve got the perfect low-fat combination. Some frozen yogurt tastes much like soft-serve ice cream, while other ranges have a sweet, tangy taste with a smooth texture. Calories: 159 If there is no Pinkberry outlet near you, Häagen-Dazs Tart Natural is a good second in the tart category and is readily available in stores. "This one is creamy and smooth," proclaimed one judge. Required fields are marked *. Ounce-per-ounce, the average chocolate frozen yogurt has half the calories and a third of the total fat of the typical chocolate ice cream. And if you’re here reading up on the difference between ice cream and frozen yogurt, you’re probably somewhat interested in the calories, fat and sugar in each. Pros: Not only is this option only 100 calories per 1/2-cup serving and nonfat, but it is very well balanced—not too sweet, not too sour. It has less fat than ice cream, but isn't as creamy so this is 2nd or 3rd from the top for me. There was ice cream and… well, there was ice cream. Ice cream also has air blended into it to increase its volume in an aeration process called “overrun” — and can have overrun up to 100% — so the final product is often light and fluffy because half of it is made up of air. Read on for the results. Fat: 13g Our Frozen Yogurt is so creamy, you won’t believe it’s not ice cream! Pros: Judges favored this pick for its similarities to cow's-milk ice cream. It has a creamy texture and sweet, tangy taste. Sugars: 21.2g, Calories: 222 The Key Differences between Frozen Yogurt and Ice Cream Not only did it look luscious and creamy, but it lacked the soft, spongy consistency of many of its competitors. Usually more tart than ice cream, as well as lower in … Then came Pinkberry, who relaunched business design in 2005 by offering frozen yogurt that had a tart flavor more standard yogurt. © 2021 Condé Nast. Here’s what some of the terms you may see on ice cream labels legally mean, according to the International Dairy Foods Association: They also note the general guidelines for the fancy stuff: Don’t call it a comeback — it’s been here for years. No sooner did we embark on our research than we realized this was going to be as complicated as the rules for the World Cup: There are many variations on the market, including low-fat; low-cal (although frozen yogurt is already generally much lower in fat and calories than ice cream); nondairy, from every imaginable source (hemp frozen dessert, anyone? Here are some tips for making your Sugar Free Strawberry Frozen Yogurt. Protein: 4.1g Ice cream is creamy, has tons of flavors, and a rich texture. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21). Frozen yogurt still includes sweeteners and other flavors. Meanwhile, ice cream only has about 14 grams of the sweet stuff for the same serving size. We also kept an eye on brands that call themselves frozen yogurt but lack active yogurt cultures or use cream instead of milk—those being key differentiators between frozen yogurt and ice cream. It’s one thing to define the difference between ice cream and frozen yogurt, gelato and so forth, but the best way to see the difference is to experience them all for yourself. Cons: More caloric than the others, at 180 calories for a 1/2-cup serving. Häagen-Dazs Low-Fat Vanilla Frozen Yogurt ($5.29 per pint), Pros: This option delivered from start to finish. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While we love the classic, creamy taste of ice cream, frozen yogurt is the healthier choice. Just like ice cream, it needs to be mixed during the freezing process. Some frozen yogurt tastes just like soft-serve ice cream, while other varieties have a sweet, tangy flavor with a smooth texture. In return, it has a much higher sugar/sweetener content than ice cream, running in the range of 16% to 24%. Use at least 3/4 cup sugar per quart of yogurt for freezing purposes, plus more to taste. “Superpremium” ice cream: Tends to have very low overrun and high fat content, and the manufacturer uses the best quality ingredients. Frozen yogurt is a frozen product containing the same basic ingredients as ice cream, but contains live bacterial cultures. I also mentioned that draining the yogurt is one way to get a frozen yogurt that is a better texture like an ice cream … Ice cream: A frozen food made from a mixture of dairy products, containing at least 10% milkfat. The first spoonful of froyo almost disintegrates instantaneously, leaving behind a smooth, somewhat tart, somewhat bland aftertaste. Starting at just 34 calories an ounce, these delectable delights are loaded with probiotics. Frozen Yogurt Taste Test ... Tastes like full-fat ice cream." According to the company’s site, they “believe real frozen yogurt should taste like yogurt, made with… live & active cultures.”. Frozen Yogurt: It’s not yogurt, but it’s not exactly ice cream either, although it has similar characteristics. We developed a game plan and conducted three taste tests to figure out which brands are truly the "crème de la yogurt": We tested 6 fat-free or low-fat brands, then separately evaluated 13 nondairy or low-lactose frozen yogurt alternatives. Cons: More caloric than the others, at 180 calories for a 1/2-cup serving. Ice cream has a creamy and fluffy texture with a mellower flavor, while gelato is denser, with a stronger flavor. Texture & Taste: The cherry flavor was very prevalent in this … Of course, no matter which you choose, it’s wise to be aware of portion size and to watch out for those toppings, mix-ins and dips, because it’s easier than you think to assemble a thousand-calorie dessert. However, ice cream boasts more fat (there are roughly seven grams per serving in the frozen dessert compared to four grams in fro-yo, according to the USDA). Powered by the Parse.ly Publisher Platform (P3). So much deliciousness… so little time! Trader Joe's Plain Nonfat Pleasantly Tart was a mix of citrus and soy flavors. Below, you can see how the numbers for calories, fat, sugar and protein look for 100g portions — which is larger than the average serving, but the size we could best compare. According to the USDA, ice cream, by definition, Creepy cupcakes: Ghosts in the graveyard cupcakes, Grabbing a diet soda? If you just put the container in the freezer, it will form ice crystals and won't have the smooth and creamy texture you're hoping for. "I think I might have just found a replacement for my Greek yogurt addiction!" Many more companies joined the fray, however, demand all but disappeared by the late 1990s. All rights reserved. We recommend you try them all — if for no other reason than to be sure you don’t miss out on discovering your favorite dessert ever. The light texture and intense flavor of gelato — considered to be an Italian invention — comes from having a much lower milkfat content than traditional ice cream, more in the 4% to 8% range. In some markets, frozen yogurt is made from 100% plain yogurt along with stabilizers, corn syrup solids, and emulsifiers. Still really craving ice cream? Serve the frozen yogurt immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and freeze it until ready to … If you’re not sure where to start with homemade frozen yogurt, … Gelato is typically lower in fat and higher in solids than other frozen desserts. Protein: 1.8g As a result, milkfat makes up only 0.5% to 6% of frozen yogurt, with sugar or sweeteners making up 15% to 17% of the weight. Protein: 4g Both use dairy and sugar, although ice cream is made with cream, and … Fat: 0g Maybe it is because the frozen yogurt in Boston is made differently, but ice cream is a lot sweeter than frozen yogurt, which is why I find a major taste difference. At first, the consistency is a bit firmer than ice cream, but not as creamy. Protein: 4.8g Some frozen yogurt tastes just like soft-serve ice cream, while other varieties have a sweet, tangy flavor with a smooth texture. Protein: 4.5g Custard is very similar to ice cream, but there are two major differences. Nondairy or Low-Lactose Vanilla Frozen Dessert: Tofutti, Good Karma Organic Rice Divine Very Vanilla, Laloo's Vanilla Snowflake, Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss Vanilla Island, Trader Joe's Soy Creamy Vanilla, Rice Dream Organic Vanilla, Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Vanilla Bean, Almond Dream Vanilla, Double Rainbow Soy Cream Vanilla Bean, Soy Dream French Vanilla, Organic Nectars Vanilla, It's Soy Delicious Vanilla, Tempt Vanilla Bean. Ultimately, if you genuinely like ice cream better than froyo, don't … Your email address will not be published. Fat: 11g In a manner of speaking, yes. The term “frozen yogurt” is not regulated by the FDA, so there is not a standard for how much yogurt is actually in frozen yogurt. Tastes like full-fat ice cream.". Gelato overrun tends to be about 20% to 35%. We’ve seen frozen yogurt shops like Sweet Frog, Yogurtland and Pinkberry crop up in almost every city, touting their low-fat, sugar-free or non-fat offerings. Try to control your drooling for a few minutes, and read on. Place mixed ingredients into your ice cream maker (I use the KitchenAid ice cream attachment) Mix for 35-40 minutes or until consistency is reached with your ice cream maker. You'll be shocked at how fresh and fruity it tastes—the natural berry flavor of the yogurt's lactic acid enhanced by sugar. Frozen Yogurt vs. Fresh Yogurt: Facts vs. Myths Secondly, does frozen yogurt taste like ice cream? Then came Pinkberry, who relaunched the business model in 2005 by offering frozen yogurt that had a flavor more tart than traditional yogurt. Frozen yogurt is made a mixture of yogurt, milk, and cream.