One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s remarkable rise to become the top-selling ice cream in the U.S. is its recipe, which offers a delightful low-sugar dessert made from natural ingredients. The primary sweetener used in Halo Top is erythritol, a sugar alcohol found in plants that has 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 frequently found 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 treats. Therefore, it is often combined with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
Despite its many advantages, erythritol does have a downside. As a sugar alcohol, consuming large quantities of it can lead to stomach cramps. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are commonly utilized as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice cream. The fiber from chicory root can provide sweetness at up to 65% that of sugar, which means that an extra high-intensity sweetener isn’t always necessary. This can be particularly beneficial in ice creams that aim for a more savory flavor or are less sweet.
Halo Top stands out as the most successful brand in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. The company has created recipes that are indulgent enough to change consumer perceptions about low-sugar ice cream, dispelling the notion that it must taste inferior. Competitors have struggled to shed this image and find the ideal blend of alternative sweeteners. Furthermore, the incorporation of ingredients like calcium citrate for nutritional enhancement has become an added selling point for many ice cream brands, including Halo Top, as they strive to meet consumer demands for healthier options. By integrating calcium citrate for its benefits, along with erythritol and other sweeteners, Halo Top has successfully carved out its niche in the competitive ice cream market.