Frozen yogurt and FroYo are not the same thing.
Both act as a healthier alternative to ice cream, but go about it in different ways.
FroYo is a fresh, trendy treat has a tart taste and is made primarily from yogurt as a healthy alternative to the creamy, but high-calorie ice cream. Over the last few years it’s been made popular in big cities at places such as Red Mango and Pinkberry.
Frozen yogurt acts more as an ice cream imposter. The frozen treat is creamier and sweeter than its FroYo counterpart but still boasts fewer calories, fewer fat and fewer grams of sugar that traditional ice cream.
Before this month, no Abilene establishment exclusively sold either type of the frozen concoction. Leaving FroYo fans high and dry – forced to settle for sherbet or face “low-fat” ice cream instead.
But with much excitement, Nikki’s Swirl Shoppe landed in Abilene selling “self-serve frozen yogurt,” and they do – but be warned, because it’s a little different than its FroYo predecessors.
Now, I’m not saying one type of frozen yogurt is better than the other – that’s up to the individual frozen yogurt fanatic. My point is to inform the public when they step into Nikki’s they should expect less “FroYo” and more “frozen yogurt.”
Why? Because Nikki’s uses a creamier sweeter version of the trendy, fresh, west coast inspired FroYo.
Knowing this difference will help customers of Nikki’s have a more realistic expectation of the shop and in turn a more pleasant frozen yogurt experience.
Customers can choose from 12 different flavors and 6 “twist” options. Flavors range from sweet such as cake batter to fruit flavors to a plain, tart, flavor which most closely resembles the traditional FroYo.
Nikki’s also provides customers with a variety of toppings the customer can add at his or her leisure. While traditional FroYo fans might be disappointed by the lack of fresh fruit as toppings, Nikki’s has over 20 toppings and gives customers the ability to add them on their own.
The restaurant itself is in an excellent location next to Sharky’s Burrito Co. It’s retro-vibe and friendly staff makes the whole experience pleasing.
Although Nikki’s might not serve the FroYo patrons were expecting, everyone can appreciate it for the ice cream alternative it is – and that we have an tastier alternative to fast food ice cream without going across town.
