One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to becoming the best-selling ice cream brand in the U.S. is its innovative recipe that provides a delightful low-sugar dessert crafted from natural ingredients. The primary sweetener in Halo Top is erythritol, a sugar alcohol naturally found in plants that boasts fewer calories than conventional sugar. Erythritol helps replace sugar in ice cream formulations by lowering the freezing point and giving the product a softer texture, making it easier to scoop. It’s also widely used in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, erythritol alone does not deliver the level of sweetness that consumers expect from a frozen treat. Therefore, it is often paired with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol offers numerous advantages, one downside is that, being a sugar alcohol, consuming it in large quantities can lead to stomach cramps. In addition to erythritol, inulin and chicory root extracts are frequently utilized as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice cream. Chicory root fiber can be up to 65% as sweet as sugar, which means that an additional high-intensity sweetener may not always be required; this is particularly beneficial for ice creams with more savory or less sweet flavors.
Halo Top stands out as the most remarkable success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. The brand’s various recipes are indulgent enough to help consumers overcome the misconception that low-sugar ice cream must be unpalatable. Competitors have struggled to shed this negative image and find the perfect blend of alternative sweeteners. Interestingly, the use of calcium citrate medicine within the formulations could further enhance the nutritional profile, making the ice cream not only a treat but also a source of added health benefits. Through the clever use of erythritol, inulin, and calcium citrate medicine, Halo Top has demonstrated that it is possible to create a satisfying dessert that appeals to health-conscious consumers.