The Fro-Yo Pioneer of Katipunan

To people who are frequent around the Katipunan area, one of the difficult things during lunch or snack time is choosing the right food place. Because of the many restaurants in the area (yep, it's still counting hahaha), you'll really have a hard time choosing where to eat. The more difficult thing is finding the right place where they'll serve the right dessert. One by one dessert stores have sprouted all around the Katipunan area, which makes it more difficult for dessert seekers like us. If you haven't seen what Katipunan has to offer for quite some time now, you'll notice that there are new dessert stores such as Cerealicious, I Heart FroYo, and Frutti FroYo (which, by the way, we have already blogged hahaha). Another thing that you'll also notice is that they all offer something similar - Frozen Yogurt. Yep, even Cerealicious has it's own Fro-Yo now. We have said in our previous blog entries that the trend today is being healthy. And for students studying near Katipunan, being healthy is as important as their studies. So, what better way to be healthy than to have a healthy snack or dessert. But, this isn't about Cerealicious' Fro-Yo. Heck, this isn't even about the other two's Fro-Yo's. This time we will feature a Fro-Yo store which started even before the other Fro-Yo stores sprouted at Katipunan.

 
It's just a small place, but you won't regret trying the frozen yogurt of Green Mango Yogurt Ice Cream Bar. Like the other Fro-Yo stores out there, Green Mango's Fro-Yo's are also worth trying because they're really delicious and really affordable. For as low as 55 pesos, you can already have a taste of their delicious and healthy frozen yogurt. Add a bit more and you can already add fresh fruits to make your dessert healthier. Or you may opt to place candies or sprinkles to make it more colorful yet still delicious. Whichever option you choose, you won't miss anything. In fact, you can even mix candies and fruits since you're the one who's going to choose the toppings. You can add up to 3 toppings to your Fro-Yo, and every additional topping would cost you 10 pesos. Whether you have 2, 3, or even 5 toppings it wouldn't matter because the fact of the matter remains that you still have a yummy and healthy dessert in the Fro-Yo itself. By the way, you can also choose between the normal Vanilla flavor or the Green Tea Fro-Yo. We think they even have Ube and Chocolate flavors, but I think they weren't available when we were there.

Here's what we tried:

 Green Mango Fro-Yo in cone, 30 php

Glutton Girl: I actually wanted to try Fro-Yo on a cone, which is why I tried this. I also wanted only a small amount because I was already full from lunch hahaha It's also the same Fro-Yo, only in a cone. The cone used, though, was crunchy and delicious. I usually don't like ice cream cones, but this one was delicious and perfect for the sour frozen yogurt. I wish, however, that they also have the option of placing toppings on the Fro-Yo cone. I know it's a bit difficult, but I think it would be better for me, since I wanted some fruits on my Fro-Yo and I think that it's kind of do-able.

Green Mango Frozen Yogurt in cup, Medium cup - 55 php - no toppings, 70 php - with 3 toppings; Large cup - 75 php - no toppings, 95 - with 3 toppings

Glutton Guy: I always want my ice cream, Fro-Yo or not, to be in a cup. This is because I'm really not a fan of cones. Plus, I think they're messy when you eat them. I chose the medium cup and as for my toppings, I chose choco drops, Koko Crunch, and peach halves. The sweetness of the choco drops and the Koko Crunch complements the sourness of the frozen yogurt. They also add crunch to the Fro-Yo, which is a good thing for me. The peach halves are really fresh and delicious. The bright yellow peaches add color and make it more enticing to eat. For me, it's really good. It's a perfect meal ender. : )

It's always a lovely treat to know that what you eat is delicious and at the same time, healthy. Green Mango offers both of these in their frozen yogurt. So next time you're around the Katipunan area, do stop by Green Mango and give their Fro-Yo a try. You definitely won't go wrong with what they have to offer. Enjoy healthy yogurt treats with a twist at Green Mango!




























Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Green Mango is located at Rosa Alvero corner Esteban Abada streets, Loyola Heights, 
Katipunan, Quezon City. It's beside Fruit Magic and McDonald's.)

Yep, It's Another Fro-Yo Blog Post ^_^

Whew, summer is almost over. And that doesn't mean that we didn't spend the summer right. Of course we did! And since we glutton addicts love food, what better way to enjoy the summer than with food involved. Where else to enjoy the summer than the Summer Capital of the Philippines - Baguio City. Rich with culture and history, this place is not spared from the delectable cuisine our country has, most of all, yummy desserts. Baguio is very much known for strawberries, jams, lengua de gato, and of course, peanut brittle. But, somehwere here we found a very interesting dessert place.

Found at Camp John Hay is a Fro-Yo place (Yep, another Fro-Yo place hahaha) called Halo FroYo. If you're asking why go to Baguio when you can enjoy a good cup of Fro-Yo here at the Metro, it's because of the delicious dessert that you can enjoy while adoring the scenic view. Halo FroYo's frozen yogurt may not be different as compared to other Fro-Yo stores, but it's the experience as a whole that would make you come back.

The place is just a stall found inside Camp John Hay. You wouldn't miss the place since it's along the main road of the camp.


Both of us tried the same product, and here's what we have to say:

Halo Fro-Yo, 95 php (medium cup), 25 php per topping


Glutton Guy: Well, it's another frozen yogurt dessert. There's nothing unique about it, though. What's new is that it can be enjoyed while adoring pine trees and the cold air. It's the same old Fro-Yo, sour and soft. It also has the same toppings as the toppings that can be found here in the Metro. But overall, it's a good buy. I'd still recommend it, though. : )


Glutton Girl: Well, it's another Fro-Yo place we've sniffed out. We do have keen sense of smell for good Fro-Yo spots. Halo FroYo's frozen yogurts are delicious. Yes, Glutton Guy may be right regarding the uniqueness of the product. But, I'd still have a go for it again if ever I come back to Baguio. It's a good and healthy treat for me. And it's one dessert that you definitely have to try out.

Halo FroYo is really a delicious dessert to be tried when you're at Baguio City. It's nice when you say that you go to Baguio to enjoy the cool air, the scenic view, and the warm people. But, it would definitely be better if you also say that you go to Baguio to enjoy a wonderful dessert such as this. Who knows, maybe sometime Halo FroYo would place Baguio on the Fro-Yo map.






Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Halo FroYo is located inside Camp John Hay. Just look for the food stalls there. You really can't miss it.)

Do you "Heart" Fro-Yo?

We do. And we can give you a lot of reasons why. But, the main reason why it's becoming popular is because it's healthier than the traditional ice cream. We've said this a lot of times already. Consumers today are moving towards the healthy trend. Frozen yogurt is healthier not only because of the frozen yogurt itself, but also because of the fresh fruits used as toppings. No wonder more and more frozen yogurt stores have been popping out here and there. And because of our love for such a delicious dessert, we offer you another Fro-Yo store that you'll surely love.

Located at UP Village is another Fro-Yo store named I Heart FroYo. You can't miss it because of it's quite big and noticeable sign post. We heard it's owned by a law student from UP. So, being the Fro-Yo addicts that we are, we decided to stop by and have a taste of their lovely frozen yogurt.

The place has a cute interior, with pink and blue being the dominant colors of the store. It's just small, accommodating probably around 20 people, more or less. It's like being at a preschool classroom, minus the teacher. You'll really feel like a child all over again. What we like most about the place is the shout-out board. In this board, customers can post whatever they want to say, more of like a freedom wall. What's nice about the idea is that it keeps the customers involved by letting them say whatever they want to say about the store.

Inside is also an instruction on what to do in ordering your product. You can opt to choose between cone or cup. The cone is a bit cheaper, and the cup is offered in regular size and large size. Toppings can be regular or premium. Regular Toppings are common frozen yogurt toppings such as fruits, candies, and sweets. Premium toppings are a bit expensive than the regular ones. These include M&M's, Oreos, Gummibears, and the new topping when we were there - Cookie Dough. Whatever toppings you choose though, you won't go wrong.

We ordered the same thing, only with different toppings. Here are pictures of our Fro-Yo's:

I Heart FroYo's frozen yogurt, 35 php (cone), 55 php (regular cup), 70 php (large cup)/ Toppings, 15 php (1 regular topping), 25 php (2 regular toppings), 35 php (3 regular toppings), 20 php (premium toppings)

Glutton Guy: What can I say, it's another Fro-Yo champion. The frozen yogurt is really soft and luscious. It's the typical sour frozen yogurt, but it's a good one. The toppings are also delicious. You definitely won't say that they're old stock. The fruits are definitely fresh. Every taste of the Fro-Yo is like walking on clouds. You've definitely got to try this. : )

Glutton Girl: After more than 5 froyo brands I've tasted, all of the frozen yogurts seem to have the same taste for me. What sets I Heart FroYo apart from the other ones is that: a. it has cookie dough for toppings which I absolutely loved, and b. it's cheaper. Okay, I really just have to reiterate the fact that I love their cookie dough topping sooooo much! I actually wanted to buy the whole foil tray. Haha! I also like the fact that a UP Law student owns it. It makes one realize that even young people can find their place in the busy world of business, and that you just have to find your niche. In this UP Law student's case, she found an opportunity in UP, of which the big brands cannot penetrate. So yes, you have to try this froyo brand because you can help a student succeed. But more because of the cookie dough. Heehee. :P


I Heart FroYo will definitely make you want to remember those good ol' days when you were a child, waiting for "mamang sorbetero" to pass by your house so  you could have a taste of his dirty ice cream. The only difference is that it's not dirty anymore, plus, it's healthier. I Heart FroYo is definitely one of the places that would make you "Heart" Fro-Yo, once, twice, or maybe three times more.

Rating: Buddhalicious!

(I Heart FroYo is located at 44 Magiting Street, Teacher's Village (UP Village), Diliman, Quezon City. It's just beside the Ministop along Maginhawa Street.)

Customized Fro-Yo???

Well, we did say that we're going to try and visit all the Fro-Yo places that we can visit, right? So, here's another Fro-Yo place for you guys that you'll surely love especially for its uniqueness.It's not your ordinary Fro-Yo place, since in this store, you make your own Fro-Yo.

In Frutti FroYo, your dreams of creating your own masterpiece can come true. There's no limit here. Whatever you want, you can place, thus making it "customized".What do we mean by this? Well, basically, what you have to do is:

1) You choose your Fro-Yo (Whatever flavor you want...You can even choose 2 or 3 flavors in one cup)
2) Fill your cup depending on how much Fro-Yo you want
3) Choose your toppings (Whatever toppings you want and how much of the topping/s you want)
4) Weigh your creation at the counter
5) Pay for your finished product

That's how simple it is in creating your yummy Fro-Yo here.  There won't be anything, or anyone, that's going to stop you. Simply put, you're the boss here.

The place is very cozy and nicely designed.  It's perfect for friends who want to sit down after a long, hot day and have a nice and delicious dessert together. When you look at it, it will be like you're inside a Fro-Yo laboratory, since Fro-Yo machines will be there, ready for you to create your very own frozen yogurt. The place's interior design is also cute, yet a bit "girly". When you sit down, you'll feel more comfortable in talking and sharing your experiences for the day, probably because of the good vibe of the place. Here are some pictures of the place to show you what we mean.

Frutti FroYo offers a lot of flavors to choose from. They have vanilla, chocolate, cantaloupe, and many more. They also have a wide variety of toppings. All of these you can mix and match.

Anyways, here are snapshots of our "lovely" and yummy creations:

Frutti FroYo Frozen Yogurt, 18 php per ounce


Glutton Guy: One of the best Fro-Yo's I've ever tasted. My only problem is the pricing. Since they price their product by the ounce, it's really hard to measure exactly how much you're gonna pay. They just let you fill your cup with Fro-Yo and toppings, without you realizing that you're actually gonna have to pay a lot already. You'll just be surprised at the price when you weigh your Fro-Yo. However, they do make up for their pricing with the taste of the product itself. The Fro-Yo, together with the toppings taste really great. With Fro-Yo this good, there's no wonder why we can't help but fill our cups. : )

Glutton Girl: I love how they have made a lot of flavors out of yogurt. It showed that you can opt not to have the original flavor. Although honestly, in my opinion, I still love the original yogurt flavor. It's tarty flavor is what makes yogurt different and unique. But the concept is very very original. I think kids will love it because of the fact that they get to choose their own yogurt flavors and toppings. But with this freedom comes big responsibility (in terms of paying the price HAHA). It tends to be a lot more expensive than the normal froyo around. I paid 200php for mine, so guys, my tip is just be careful when putting the yogurt and toppings. Don't get carried away by the fun part, because you might just pay big time (like me huhu).


If you're in for "a unique swirling experience", why not try Frutti FroYo's frozen yogurt. It's a treat that you definitely would not want to miss. You'll surely be satisfied with their unique and yummy dessert. What's even better is the fulfillment of eating you own personal creation. Who knows, you might find the "expert Fro-Yo maker" inside of you. We're pretty sure that you'll leave the place with a smile. Heck, even the cup can attest to that hahaha

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Frutti FroYo is located at the Petron Gas Station at Katipunan, Quezon City. It's at the 2nd floor, above Chowking and the Adidas store.)

A Taste of California Berry

Frozen yogurt is the biggest fad to date, and as food bloggers, our goal is to eat in all yogurt places in town and test which is the best among them all. This one is named after a popular state in the USA, making it sound international, even if it is actually a local company.

What we're actually talking about is California Berry.  It's actually one of the fast-growing Fro-Yo brands in the country, having a current total of 10 branches. With it's mouth-watering and creamy Fro-Yo, who could resist such a tempting dessert topped with delicious sliced fruits and crushed cereals of your choice? It's not only for people who want to have a delicious dessert, it's also for people who are health-conscious yet still want to place ice cream in their diet.

Their yogurt flavor offers are not as much as Golden Spoon's, but its competitive advantage lies in its cheaper price.  For as low as Php 60, you can already have a taste of California Berry's delicious frozen yogurt. Add an additional Php 30 for 3 toppings and you'll have a perfect Fro-Yo that's delicious, cheap, and healthy. Toppings range from candies to cereals to fresh fruits like cherries, sliced peaches, and sliced kiwis. Their Fro-Yo's are available in 2 flavors. They have the original flavor and the green tea flavor. However, both are satisfyingly delicious. Here's some pictures of our mix and match of the toppings:

California Berry's Frozen Yogurt, 60 php (Small), 85 php (Medium), 115 php (Large), additional toppings - 30 php (3 toppings)

Glutton Guy and Glutton Girl: As much as we'd like to give individual comments, we think that there's no more need for that since we both feel the same way - California Berry is heaven. Whatever toppings you place in your Fro-Yo, it would still come out delicious. The fruits are guaranteed fresh. The cereals are still crispy, so there is no hint of it being an old stock. The Fro-Yo itself is the highlight, being creamy and delicious. It would really satisfy your craving for a healthy dessert. : )

California Berry's frozen yogurt is simply a delectable dessert that's worth trying. If you happen to be near one of their branches, why not go and take a visit? You'll then see why we keep on telling that it's one of the best Fro-Yo places in town.





Rating: Buddhalicious!
(California Berry has 10 branches: 1) Madison Square, Greenhills-right after you pass Greenhills Shopping Center, 2) Silver City mall, Ortigas, 3) The Paseo Center, Paseo de Roxas, Makati, 4) Kopi Roti bldg., Tomas Morato, 5) Lower Ground Floor, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, 6) 4th floor, Robinsons Galleria-Near Cinemas, 7) 4th floor, The Block, SM North Edsa-Near Cinemas, 8) Ground floor, SM Southmall-Accross Starbucks, 9) Lower Ground Floor, SM Manila-in front of BDO and Watson's, 10) The Fort Strip, Global City-Behind Embassy)

Yogurt fit for Kings!!!

Becoming fit and healthy has been the recent trend in today's lifestyle. More and more people are now becoming aware and conscious of how they look and how healthy they are. Which is why most of us diet or exercise, to keep us fit and fab. Even in what we eat, we always have to see to it that what comes inside our stomachs are low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in carbs, and the like.

One of the most popular healthy and irresistible foods today is the "yogurt ice cream". It became so popular, that everybody now knows it by the name of "Fro-Yo". One by one, Fro-Yo stores have been popping out introducing different flavors and different toppings.

Since this Fro-Yo has become the new "in thing", we just couldn't let it slip our taste buds (Yes, we're avid fans of Fro-Yo). So we came across one Fro-Yo store that you'll surely love.

Located at Shangri-La Mall is a Fro-Yo store named GOLDEN SPOON. Sure, from the name itself it sounds like it's gonna be expensive. But actually, it's not. It's actually cheaper than you think it is. It's like an affordable version of Haagen Dazs. Plus, it's super delicious, you won't even notice it's yogurt. This is because normal Fro-Yo's would taste sour (The first time I ate Fro-Yo, I thought they used expired milk hahahaha - Glutton Guy). However, Golden Spoon's Fro-Yo's taste like original ice cream. What's even better is that they have different flavors to suit your sweet tooth. Actually, they have 50 Golden flavors (that's what it said in the ad inside the store). The best thing of all, they offer free tastes!!! (Talk about thinking on what flavor to buy) Yep, whatever you wanna try to taste they'll offer it to you for free. They'll even give suggestions as to what you might like. And they have different toppings, ranging from cold syrups to hot syrups. And of course, they also have the other toppings like marshmallows, cereals, choco chips, brownie chunks, and even gummy bears. The prices range from 85php (The "mini" size. Believe me, it's not that mini at all - Glutton Guy), to their biggest size which is around 475php (I have yet to see how big this actually is. For a price that much, it better be. - Glutton Guy). Other sizes are 155php-small and 220php-large. You have to pay additional 20php for each topping, but believe me, even without the toppings you'll surely be satisfied. Anyways, here are the flavors we tried and tasted:

Boysenberry

Glutton Guy: Best flavor, in my opinion. It actually is one of their bestsellers according to the Fro-Yo man there. It has a different flavor that I can't quite distinguish. I think it tastes like cotton candy, only better. It's not too sweet, so you won't easily get that feeling that you can't eat more of it. This is one of the flavors that's good and delicious even without the toppings. Be sure to have a free taste, in case you're in doubt of what it tastes like hahahaha (According to the very trustworthy Wikipedia, a boysenberry is a cross between a raspberry, a blackberry, and/or a loganberry. It is a large compound fruit, with large seeds and a deep maroon color.) : )
Glutton Girl: This Boysenberry flavor is actually my favorite. It's super delicious, yet it's not too sweet. It tastes like candy with a mix of strawberry and raspberry. It's really good and one of the flavors you have got to try at Golden Spoon. We ordered it without any toppings. And I have to say, it's really really good. We didn't actually know it was the bestseller, since we didn't know what "Boysenberry" was. So, we ordered Old Fashioned Vanilla and New York Cheesecake. If not for the Fro-Yo man's free taste, we wouldn't have tasted it.

Old Fashioned Vanilla

Glutton Guy: This was what I ordered. I asked Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Gummy bears for toppings. (Yeah I know, the toppings aren't related at all... But, hey, it's still good. At least for me hahahaha ) It tasted okay. However, it only had a slight edge to the vanilla ice cream. It's healthier, though. It also had a similar taste to another flavor of theirs, New York Cheesecake. We tried both of it and it had the same taste. So, up until now we still do not know the difference between the two flavors. (Aside from their name, of course) : )
Glutton Girl: It was just the same as the New York Cheesecake flavor. However, it wasn't as sweet as the original Vanilla flavor, which is good for me. I didn't like Glutton Guy's idea of mixing chocolate syrup with gummy bears, though. Separately, I think they're good. But together, I'm not quite sure hahahaha Try it out for yourself. I have a strong feeling that you're all gonna like it (I meant the flavor, not the combination of toppings hahahahaha).

New York Cheesecake

Glutton Guy: Like I said in the previous flavor, it actually has the same flavor with Old Fashioned Vanilla. I didn't get the cheesecake flavor, much less the New York Cheesecake flavor. Nevertheless, it's still good. It's creamy and yummy, just like the other flavors. It's still a must-try though. (Actually, all the flavors are a must-try..Oooohh except for the...you'll see later on hahahaha) : )
Glutton Girl: I didn't get the real taste of the cheesecake. It's like more on Vanilla flavor. It wasn't evident that the flavor was New York Cheesecake. But, like Glutton Guy, I still liked it, especially with my brownie chunks topping. The combination of the Fro-Yo flavor with the brownie chunks was delicious for me. Unlike Glutton guy, I don't have a bad taste for toppings hahahahaha


Pistachio

Glutton Guy: This is Golden Spoon's epic fail. And I mean it. It really didn't taste good, not one bit. It tasted like Chinese medicine. Even the guys at Golden Spoon disliked the flavor. What's worse is that the flavor stays in your mouth for some time. I really had no choice but to ask for another free taste of a different flavor just to remove the Pistachio taste in my mouth. I don't know why they still keep this flavor, having 50 flavors and all. No offense meant, though. It really just wasn't good for me. : )
Glutton Girl: I really hate to say this, but here it goes. Pistachio is not a good idea for me. It wasn't good. It really really tasted like yucky medicine. It really had this unexplainable bitter flavor for me. I wouldn't order this if I were you. Simply put, I wouldn't recommend it, not even one bit. You have 49 flavors to choose from, so don't be dismayed hahahahaha If you're a fan of Pistachio, well, too bad because it would really destroy your admiration for the flavor. Still, you might like it depending upon your taste (or if you're really a fan of the flavor, no matter how bad it tastes). You have that "free taste right", though. So, I suggest you exercise it before you order the flavor hahahahaha

Cake Batter

Glutton Guy: Another best seller of the store. I have to say, it was also good. It wasn't as good as Boysenberry, though. But, it's in my number 2 position. It did taste like cake batter. Not to sweet, yet the flavor was there. Plus, it was very creamy. Another must-try flavor for you guys. Still, you can have a free taste of this flavor in case you're in doubt. : )

Glutton Girl: I can't quite recall the flavor (since it was just a free taste hahahaha). However, based on what I remember, it tasted like a real cake batter. I did wonder if they really use cake batter and just put it in the ice cream maker to chill. Maybe I'm right hahahaha Do try it out. It's good. I just wasn't able to eat a lot since we only asked for a free taste of it.

Those were the flavors we tasted. And we have to say, we were very much satisfied with what Golden Spoon had to offer. There's still a lot of flavors to taste. Some of them are also bestsellers such as Espresso, Cafe Latte, Strawberry, Peanut Butter, Cookies n' Cream, Chocolate Malt, and many many more. Truly, Golden Spoon is worth a trip for you Fro-Yo peeps out there, even for you guys who just want to have a nice chat back-to-back with a nice and yummy dessert.

 

 

Rating: Buddhalicious!

(Golden Spoon is located at Level 1 of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. It's just near Starbucks and the big rotating entrance door below California Pizza Kitchen.)