The Frozen Yogurt Wars of New York

by aliciak
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September 21, 2009

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New York is a competitive place, so when it comes to seemingly innocuous yogurt, well, put your fighting gloves on. Pinkberry! Red Mango! And my personal favorite, Oko. What is the deal with frozen yogurt in this city?!? Is it because it's a tasty, low-fat alternative to ice cream? Did we all OD on Tasti D-Lite, or just finally realize how gross and chemically it is? Is it because it's fun to say that you are eating live, active cultures? (It's the latter for me, definitely)

What IS frozen yogurt?

Frozen yogurt is one of those food items that is actually hard to define, or rather, to separate from its sisters, ice cream and gelato. What makes yogurt yogurt in the first place? Wikipedia defines it as “a frozen dessert made from or containing yoghurt or dairy analogues.” Yeah, okay, sure.

Contrary to popular belief, it apparently does not have to have those live active cultures I so very like. Hmm. So, what is it again? Let’s watch a YouTube video instead.

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Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt

41 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012

There is always a line at this Spring Street location, and it tends to be full of adolescent girls or tourist families or jaded people, in general. I’d take the nearby rice pudding mecca any day, especially if you want a boatload of topping choices and a glitzy, futuristic look. (Migraine? What?)

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Pinkberry

24 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003

When a frozen yogurt place copyrights the words “swirly goodness,” you know they mean business. I don’t see what the fuss is about, honestly. Pinkberry seems like one of those NYC trends that everyone follows but no one ever questions why.

Well, I’m gonna do it. Why???

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The Pinkberry Controversy

OMG, Pinkberry isn’t real yogurt? Say it ain’t so! According to California’s Department of Food and Agriculture, the Pinkberry substance didn’t have enough “cultures” to be considered yogurt. (Even though Wikipedia says you don’t need ’em?)

Finally on April 17, 2008, Pinkberry received the “Live and Active Cultures Seal.” Yes, there is such a thing.

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Frozen Yogurt Recipe

Frozen yogurt seems like it would be difficult to make, but if you have an ice cream maker, you’re almost ready to go. It’s time-consuming only in the sense that it takes a while to properly freeze.

Recipe

3 cups strained (see * below) yogurt or Greek-style yogurt
3/4 cup sugar (use less if you like it tart)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix together all three ingredients and make sure sugar dissolves. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Then freeze in your ice cream maker according to their directions, or repeat the following twice: freeze for an hour, stir with a fork to break up slightly. (Repeat until frozen yogurt consistency).

* “To make 1 cup of strained yogurt, line a mesh strainer with cheese cloth. Scrape 2 cups of whole milk yogurt into cheesecloth. Gather ends and fold over cheese cloth; refrigerate at least 6 hours. For the above recipe, start with 6 cups of strained yogurt.”

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Flurt 323

284 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010

Is Flurt trying to be Pinkberry? Very similar frozen yogurt concept, except that you won’t wait in line forever. $6 seems a little steep for me, especially for something that will leave you hungry within an hour.

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/eks/

488 Driggs Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211

I’m not sure how I feel about the slashes in the name, but /eks/ actually, gasp, uses real yogurt in their yogurt! There is only one flavor per day, however, and they aren’t quite as generous with the toppings.

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Red Mango

182 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

The Red Mango company claims to have brought on the fro-yo trend that is sweeping the nation. That’s right, BEFORE Pinkberry. They may be right, seeing as though RM started 6 years ago, and Pinkberry only 3. Fight, Fight, FIGHT!

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The Best Yogurt in the City

I know that’s ballsy of me, but out of all the fro-yo goodness I’ve had and in my analysis of design and presentation, I give Oko to “Best Yogurt in the City” award. Why? It’s slightly more sour than the others, more toppings for your $$$ and really fresh ones at that. (None of that defrosted taste) AND, the place is filled with tiny (but real) cacti.

Okay, the cacti make me a bit biased, but so does the wild berry yogurt topped with raspberries. And Oko is built with sustainable materials and all that other green pizazz.

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Oko Frozen Yogurt & Tea

152 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Did I mention Oko is the best? This particular Park Slope location can be a bit mobbed, but not by the usual crowd (teenagers, tourists); instead, the nannies with strollers contingency is strong, and makes the tiny shop feel even tinier.

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Discussions

: by theuglyone 09/21/2009 Reply

i’m like a teenage girl when it comes to froyo. “cry cry, boys, breakup, froyo, smile.”

: by mswen 07/03/2008 Reply

mmmmmmmm….Cap’n Crunch…….

: by chelsea 07/03/2008 Reply

DAMN! You did It first, I was soooo on this. lol. I love froyo!

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About The Author

aliciak

Tribeca

I like to: crochet, eat, read, write, go to museums, watch old movies, cook, bake, observe children, visit the library, travel, cut my own hair, explore New York, mix gin drinks, bike ride, take photographs, keep in touch with people, be crafty, swim in the ocean, make bets, and read blogs and ca...