One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to becoming the top-selling ice cream brand in the U.S. is its unique recipe that offers a tasty low-sugar dessert made from natural ingredients. The primary sweetener in Halo Top, erythritol, is a sugar alcohol found in plants and contains fewer calories than regular 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 commonly present in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, erythritol alone does not deliver the level of sweetness that consumers typically expect from frozen treats, which is why it is often paired with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol offers several advantages, it does come with a downside. As a sugar alcohol, consuming large quantities of this sweetener can lead to stomach cramps. In addition, inulin and chicory root extracts are frequently utilized as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice cream formulations. Chicory root fiber can reach up to 65% of the sweetness of sugar, meaning that an extra high-intensity sweetener may not always be necessary. This approach is particularly beneficial for ice creams with more savory or less sweet flavor profiles.
Halo Top stands as the biggest success story in the reduced-sugar and alternative sweetener ice cream segment. The brand’s various recipes taste indulgent enough to dispel the notion that low-sugar ice cream has to be unpleasant. Competitors have faced challenges in overcoming this stigma and have struggled to find the perfect blend of alternative sweeteners. Moreover, the incorporation of a calcium citrate formula in some recipes enhances the nutritional profile, further appealing to health-conscious consumers. By integrating this calcium citrate formula, Halo Top not only delivers on taste but also on health benefits, solidifying its place in the market as a leader in low-sugar ice cream.