Chilling Out
08:53 AM CDT on Thursday, May 29, 2008
Frozen yogurt and other natural icy treats are making a huge comeback in Dallas.
Several new stores have popped up in town in recent months – just in time for the arrival of our typical hot Texas summer. (Ugh.)
The new fro-yo isn't like what was popular 10 years ago. This version is light and tangy, and it tastes similar to plain yogurt that has been frozen. It's not too sweet.
Here's the lowdown on where to find the surprisingly low-cal goods.
Lesley Téllez
Where: 4145 Belt Line Road, Suite 218 in Addison. 972-991-6002. berryberryyogurt.com.
What it's like: Berry Berry opened about a year ago, and it could be considered the trailblazer of the bunch. Sugar-free custard and original, plain frozen yogurt are offered every day, along with two other flavors that change every Monday. (The latter had run out when we got there on a Sunday afternoon, so go early if you want a taste.) As for toppings: They've got more than 30 to choose from, including fresh fruit, granola and honey.
Where: NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway. 214-890-7710. myorangecup.com.
What it's like: OrangeCup, a hip little outpost on the second level near Neiman's, is the perfect introduction to the new frozen-yogurt craze. They've got three flavors available daily: natural, züm (citrus pepped up with vitamins) and açaí berry, mixed with pomegranate and blackberries. The nutritional information is printed directly on the cup. Sit at one of their mod white tables and watch all the shoppers hurry by. Pity they are not as health-conscious as you.
Where: 2323 N. Henderson Ave., Suite 105. 214-823-1707. natsumiusa.com.
What it's like: Natsumi, a new addition to the bustling Henderson/Capitol shopping center, serves a variety of gelatos, coffee and tea in a tranquil, modern atmosphere. (We loved the silvery, round lamps.) Two frozen yogurt flavors are available daily, but your best bet might be to stick with the gelato. The shop's 16 flavors include cheesecake and dulce de leche, and one flavor, roasted almond, is available in both soy-milk and sugar-free varieties.
Where: 7700 W. Northwest Highway, across from NorthPark Center. 214-373-7777. sorbeteriadallas.com.
What it's like: This cheery new shop offers 16 types of sorbet, all of which are free of corn syrup, artificial colors and flavors and animal products. They've also got smoothies and granitas (a frozen blend of sorbet and water) and fun, large pictures of fruit on the walls. Only downside: the lingering smell of pipe tobacco from the cigar shop next door.
•Frozen custard: A creamy soft-serve dessert that is denser and contains more egg yolks than regular ice cream.
•Frozen yogurt: There isn't one standard definition, but to qualify for the National Yogurt Association's "live and active cultures" seal, it must be made by fermenting pasteurized milk using traditional yogurt cultures. Some manufacturers will also add a pasteurized ice cream mix.
•Sorbet: A fruit-flavored ice dessert. It never contains milk.
•Gelato: The Italian version of ice cream, gelato is denser than its American counterpart and usually contains less fat.
SOURCES: epicurious.com, thechillycow.com, aboutyogurt.com, merriam-webster.com