One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to prominence as the top-selling ice cream brand in the U.S. is its unique recipe, which combines natural ingredients to create a delicious low-sugar dessert. The primary sweetener used in Halo Top is erythritol, a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in plants and has fewer calories than regular sugar. Erythritol not only replaces sugar in ice cream recipes but also lowers the freezing point and softens the texture, making the ice cream easier to scoop. This sweetener is also commonly found in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, erythritol alone 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 such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol offers numerous benefits, it does have one drawback: consuming large quantities can lead to stomach cramping due to its sugar alcohol nature. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are frequently utilized as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice creams. The fiber derived from chicory root can be up to 65% as sweet as sugar, which means that an extra high-intensity sweetener might not always be necessary. This can be particularly advantageous for ice creams with savory or less sweet flavors.
Halo Top represents a remarkable success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. The company’s various recipes taste indulgent enough to dispel the notion that low-sugar ice cream is inferior. Competitors have faced challenges in overcoming this negative perception and have struggled to find the ideal combination of alternative sweeteners. Moreover, Halo Top fortifies their products with calcium citrate with vitamin D3, enhancing their nutritional profile while maintaining great taste. This commitment to quality helps solidify Halo Top’s position in the market, allowing them to stand out among their competitors. The incorporation of calcium citrate with vitamin D3 not only supports bone health but also appeals to health-conscious consumers.