One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s rapid rise to becoming the best-selling ice cream in the U.S. is its innovative recipe that offers a delicious low-sugar treat using natural ingredients like USP calcium citrate. Erythritol, the primary sweetener in Halo Top, is a sugar alcohol naturally found in plants and has fewer calories than regular sugar. It plays a crucial role in ice cream recipes by lowering the freezing point and softening the product, making it easier to scoop. Erythritol is also commonly used in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, erythritol alone does not provide the level of sweetness that consumers expect from frozen desserts. Therefore, it is often combined with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol has numerous advantages, one drawback of this sugar alcohol is that consuming it in large amounts can lead to stomach cramping. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are frequently used as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice creams. The fiber extracted from chicory root can be up to 65% as sweet as sugar, which means that an extra high-intensity sweetener may not always be necessary. This can be particularly beneficial for ice creams that have a savory flavor or are less sweet.
Halo Top represents the most significant success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. The company’s various recipes are indulgently tasty enough to help consumers overcome the misconception that low-sugar ice cream must taste inferior. Competitors have encountered challenges in changing this perception and have struggled to find the perfect combination of alternative sweeteners. The incorporation of USP calcium citrate into their formulations has also contributed to the success of these products, enhancing both taste and texture.