icon next to each of them.
Frozen yogurt is definitely an active culture. Since Pinkberry re-acquainted us with fro-yo's swirly goodness in 2005, yogurt shops have been popping up across the country. And, just like Shalamar sang in 1980, "Ooh, the second time is so much better, baby!"
If you're wondering how today's yogurt shops differ from the hallowed halls of TCBY, you're not alone. After spotting six different yogurt shops within 10 minutes of my home, I figured it was time to see what the fuss was about. After visiting all six shops, I have concluded that today's frozen yogurt shops have gone through more changes than the Material Girl herself.
No Trip to the Mall/Suburbs Required
Yogurt shops have moved from the mall to your block. Like your favorite coffee shop, yogurt shops have become easily accessible and are becoming part of the daily routine for many local residents.
Packed with Personality
Despite what you've heard, they don't all look alike. Today's yogurt shops are much more thoughtfully designed. Image is important to the success of a business, and neighborhood yogurt shops are creating designs that integrate with the neighborhood. It may be "healthy," but the look is far from granola. Shop design is inspired by influences ranging from Asian pop culture to Scandinavian minimalism.
It's All About the Tart
The 80s spawned really cloying, sugary-sweet yogurts laden with syrups and candy toppings. Today's yogurts have a pronounced tang, subtle sweetness, and very clean finish. The consistency can range from soft and slightly grainy (like a sorbet) to creamy and rich (like gelato). Some yogurt shops make their own yogurt, but many still buy it from a distributor.
The Kids Dig It
Unlike those of us introduced to fro-yo in the 80s, there's a whole generation of kids who have been brought up on yogurt. They don't view yogurt as "the ice cream alternative," they just think it's good.
The "P" Word
Probiotic. Good bacteria that has health benefits when ingested in adequate amounts. But, don't assume that all yogurt is probiotic—it's not.
A Healthy Alternative
Frozen yogurt can be a really healthy snack, but it can also be just as bad as anything else—especially if you load it with candy or cookie toppings. Our obsession with all things healthy has successfully moved yogurt from a fad to a trend. It's definitely here to stay, but if you're eating frozen yogurt for health benefits, be sure to ask about the nutritional value of/ingredients in the yogurt served in your neighborhood shop. Education is the real key to good health.
Our Favorite Neighborhood Yogurt Shops
Bleuet is simply adorable. It's delightfully Scandinavian, much like Broder or Sip & Kranz. It features yogurt that is handmade from natural ingredients. There are four flavors to choose from: honey, cinnamon, plain and lime mint. The yogurt is pleasantly tangy, with just a hint of sweetness. The consistency is decidedly different than other local shops—it's smooth, but not creamy—similar to the consistency of sorbet. Bleuet also offers an amazing array of tempting toppings: candied nuts, fruits, and granola. The service at Bleuet warrants super high praise—it offered the most gregarious and informative service of all the neighborhood shops I visited.
Pros: handmade yogurt (the only one in town), friendly and knowledgeable service, the selection of healthy toppings makes it easy to make better choices, Cons: parking on NW 23rd, no candy/cookie toppings (if this is what you're looking for) Bonus: compostable cups and spoons, smoothies and soup
Bleuet
1019 NW 23rd Ave
503.970.9537
www.bleuet-yogurt.com
Mon-Thu 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
I first heard about Tart on Twitter. It never hurts to have the Twitterati on your side! Tart is a very family-friendly shop that really caters to the neighborhood. It's downright cozy and cute. Love the kids' handprints! Tart serves two flavors of yogurt and two flavors of custard. Don't even think for a second that the frozen custard is low fat—it's dense, creamy and delicious, but certainly not healthy. The YoCream soft serve yogurt is creamy, with a slight tang—much different than Bleuet. The selection of toppings is adequate, but light on the healthier stuff.
Pros: best $$$ value in town, great location (next door to Bar Avignon—more on that later), friendly service, Cons: limited selection of healthy toppings, smaller selection of yogurt, Bonus: Frozen custard, Clover coffee maker, Stumptown Coffee, books and toys for the kiddos, counter seats
Tart
2128 SE Division St
503.233.4333
Active Culture is a really great neighborhood spot. Unlike the other yogurt shops in town, Active Culture is really spacious and offers a warehouse-y type of feel: high ceilings, polished concrete floors, exposed ductwork. The decor is playfully retro—orange and chrome vinyl chairs, wooden tables, large orange bubble lamps—which makes it a really fun place to visit. The yogurt is supplied by YoCream (like the other shops, except Bleuet), but Active Culture customizes the yogurt into its own signature flavors. In fact, they have about 40 flavors that rotate on and off the menu: pumpkin, butter pecan and peanut butter are a few good examples. All of the yogurt is non-fat, with the exception of Peanut Butter (did you really think it would be?) and it is rich, creamy and delicious. Active Culture has the largest selection of toppings in town.
Pros: Customized yogurt flavors, great selection of toppings, friendly service, spacious, free parking, Cons: the selection of yummy toppings makes it really hard to choose something healthy, Bonus: local art, good for groups, located in Grand Central Bowl Building, pints to go, frequent buyer card
Active Culture
839 SE Belmont St
503.477.5670
www.activeculturepdx.com
