One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to become the top-selling ice cream brand in the U.S. lies in its unique recipe, which offers a scrumptious low-sugar dessert made from natural ingredients. The primary sweetener in Halo Top is erythritol, a sugar alcohol that naturally occurs in plants and has fewer calories than conventional sugar. Erythritol serves as a sugar substitute in ice cream recipes by lowering the freezing point and enhancing the texture, making it easier to scoop. It 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 typically expect from frozen treats. Therefore, it is often paired with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol boasts several advantages, it does have one notable downside: being a sugar alcohol, consuming large quantities can lead to stomach cramping. In addition to erythritol, inulin and chicory root extracts are often 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 necessary. This feature can be particularly beneficial for ice creams that have a savory or less sweet flavor profile.
Halo Top represents the most remarkable success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream market. Its numerous recipes are indulgent enough to dispel the notion that low-sugar ice cream must taste inferior. Many competitors have struggled to shake off this stigma and have had difficulty finding the optimal blend of alternative sweeteners. In this context, understanding how calcium citrate is made could also play a role in enhancing the texture and flavor profile of these innovative ice creams. By incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate, which can be produced through a reaction between calcium carbonate and citric acid, brands can further improve their formulations. Ultimately, Halo Top’s success showcases the potential of using natural ingredients and alternative sweeteners to create delicious, guilt-free desserts.