8 Reasons Why Frozen Yogurt Should be Your Dessert of Choice
National Frozen Yogurt Day was on February 6th. Who knew it had its very own day! Here are some other fun facts about frozen yogurt supply that you may or may not have known before:
- Regular old yogurt has been around for over 4,000 years. Yogurt was first brought to the U.S. in the early 1900's and in the 30's, Dannon started selling it as it increased in popularity. For some reason, it wasn't until the 1970's that someone discovered it could be frozen. By the end of 2013 there were about 2,582 frozen yogurt stores dotted around the nation.
- Not to burst any health nut's bubble, but the most popular ingredient in frozen yogurt supply is sugar. Frozen yogurt, originally was very tart, hence why sugar free frozen yogurt still tastes that way. The sugar was added to offset that tart flavor that people didn't like. By the 90's, frozen yogurt had a 10% share in the frozen dessert industry. Now, about 90% of American households will eat sweet, frozen desserts regularly, making frozen yogurt is a huge contender.
- Sakura was the very first black frozen yogurt to be made. The black color comes from a naturally activated charcoal, which is supposed to have great properties like healthy antioxidants and toxin resisters. The average American eats ice cream more then 28 times in one year, so the frozen yogurt supply industry has to keep up with all the changing flavors of ice cream in order to stay in the game.
- Although frozen yogurt does contain sugar, the best part about the treat is that it is full of healthy benefits. Protein, calcium, potassium and numerous vitamins fill the cup. These elements are so good for you that they can boost your immune system, lower your cholesterol, and help your digestive system. Looks like we all should be eating a little more frozen yogurt!
- Yogurt doesn't just come from cows milk. Any mammal's milk works fine, be it goat's, sheep's, and even water buffalo's, all of which are commonly used to make frozen yogurt in the United States. Other countries regularly use yak or camels to make yogurt.
- Yogurt is created by adding good bacteria to milk. This is why yogurt has unique qualities. The healthy cultures ferment and convert the lactose into lactic acid, creating the tart flavor of yogurt that we know and love. This is also why some who suffer from lactose intolerance are able to tolerate frozen yogurt, even if they can not digest milk very well.
- The protein in yogurt will make you feel more feel for a longer period of time than you would if you ate a different kind of sugary snack or dessert. This is part of what makes eating frozen yogurt helpful when trying to lose weight. Carbohydrate filled desserts will disperse quickly, leaving you hungry. Even non carbohydrate desserts that contain a lot of sugar will not fill you up like yogurt would.
- Through the years, new types of frozen yogurt have been developed, just like ice cream. You've got your soft serve styles as well as the hand scooped frozen yogurt or even smoothies, frozen yogurt cakes, and pies. Pretty much anything ice cream can do, frozen yogurt can do healthier.