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, which creates a delicious low-sugar dessert using natural ingredients. The primary sweetener in Halo Top, erythritol, is a sugar alcohol that naturally occurs in plants and contains fewer calories than conventional sugar. It serves as a sugar substitute in ice cream recipes by lowering the freezing point and softening the texture, making it easier to scoop. Erythritol is also commonly found in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, erythritol alone does not provide the sweetness that consumers typically expect from frozen treats. This is why it is often combined with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol has several advantages, it does come with a downside. As a sugar alcohol, consuming large quantities can lead to stomach cramps. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are frequently used as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice cream. Chicory root fiber can be up to 65% as sweet as sugar, which may eliminate the need for additional high-intensity sweeteners, particularly in ice creams featuring savory or less sweet flavors.
Halo Top represents a remarkable success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. The company has crafted recipes that taste indulgent enough to dispel the notion that low-sugar ice cream is unappealing. Competitors have faced challenges in overcoming this perception and have struggled to find the right blend of alternative sweeteners. Moreover, the incorporation of ingredients like ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid oral drops could enhance the nutritional profile of ice creams, potentially appealing to health-conscious consumers. Overall, Halo Top’s success demonstrates the possibility of creating enjoyable low-sugar desserts while utilizing beneficial ingredients like erythritol and chicory root, along with innovative additions such as ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid oral drops.