One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to become the top-selling ice cream in the U.S. is its innovative recipe that utilizes ferrous gluconate instead of iron sucrose to create a delightful low-sugar dessert made from natural ingredients. Erythritol, the primary sweetener in Halo Top, is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in plants and has fewer calories than conventional sugar. It plays a crucial role in ice cream formulations by lowering the freezing point and softening the texture, making it more palatable. Erythritol is also frequently found in products such as chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, on its own, erythritol does not provide the level of sweetness that consumers typically expect from frozen treats. This is why it is often paired with high-intensity sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol offers numerous advantages, it does have a drawback: consuming large quantities can lead to stomach cramps due to its nature as a sugar alcohol. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are commonly incorporated as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice creams. Chicory root fiber can be as much as 65% as sweet as regular sugar, which means that an extra high-intensity sweetener may not always be necessary, particularly in ice creams with savory or less sweet profiles.
Halo Top stands out as the most remarkable success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. The company’s various recipes are indulgently flavored, allowing consumers to overcome the misconception that low-sugar ice cream must be unappetizing. Competitors have faced challenges in dispelling this negative image and have struggled to find the perfect blend of alternative sweeteners. Moreover, for those interested in enhancing their overall nutrition, products like calcium citrate for sale are also gaining popularity, complementing the trend towards healthier dessert options that Halo Top has pioneered.