(Photo Credit: Mark Lennihan/Associated Press)
To some, today is just another day; Friday (YAY!), February 6. But to many others across the country, today is celebrated as one of the nation's top food holidays — National Frozen Yogurt Day.
There really is a day for everything. Foodies around the nation will likely be flocking to the nearest frozen yogurt (aka froyo) shop, as most are offering deals.
Yogurtland, Menchie's, RaceTrac and Pinkberry, for example, are giving out free cups of the cool dessert. Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt and TCBY are offering deals via social media — "like" their Facebook page and get a buy one, get one free coupon.
So, froyo fans, grab a friend and go get your snack on with these sweet BOGO deals! Or, if you're anything like me, you'll get the two for yourself and wish hopefully that the employee behind the counter believes your lie that one is for your friend. I'm not the only one who does this, right?
What's the Scoop?
Frozen yogurt was a trendy food item in the 1980s and early '90s and it has in recent years made quite the comeback. Entire businesses have begun selling the soft serve dessert at edgy stores, with hip decor and pulsating music drawing in a younger crowd.
This tangy dessert combines the textures of ice cream and sherbert. Frozen yogurt is made in a very similar way to how ice cream is made, with the exception of yogurt culture. Two of the most important elements in this dessert are actually just water and air. Air is incorporated into the mixture to help add volume, while water exists in the liquid elements of the mix and is considered a "continuous phase."
And although the name frozen yogurt implies it's in a frozen state, the dessert is never completely frozen. It simply contains ice crystals.
While the dessert seems simple enough, the manufacturing process is anything but. The ingredients are picked for freshness and quality and then measured in precise quantities. And did you know that FROZEN yogurt is heated up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit? Who knew! The heating process is done to dissolve and blend together the ingredients.
To read more about how this tasty dessert is made, take a look at this article.
And while you're reading about this lengthy process, you'd better have a cup of the good stuff right beside you. You know, to be able to fully understand and appreciate the production it underwent.
So what's your favorite flavor? There are literally dozens of them out there, not even including the many delicious toppings that are available. I prefer plain ol' vanilla. Or mint. Or "succulent strawberry." Hmmm, I think I know where I'll be going for lunch today!