One of the key factors behind Halo Top’s swift rise to become the best-selling ice cream brand in the U.S. is its unique recipe, which offers a delightful low-sugar dessert made from natural ingredients. The primary sweetener in Halo Top, erythritol, is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in plants and contains fewer calories than traditional sugar. Erythritol plays a crucial role in ice cream recipes by lowering the freezing point and softening the texture, making it easier to scoop. It is also widely used in products like chewing gum, breath mints, and sweetener packets. However, erythritol alone does not provide the satisfying sweetness that consumers expect from frozen desserts. Therefore, it is often combined with high-intensity sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit.
While erythritol has numerous advantages, it does come with a downside; as a sugar alcohol, consuming it in large quantities can lead to stomach cramps. Additionally, inulin and chicory root extracts are frequently used as bulking agents in reduced-sugar ice creams. The fiber from chicory root can be up to 65% as sweet as sugar, which means that an extra high-intensity sweetener may not always be necessary. This can be particularly beneficial for ice creams with savory or less sweet flavors.
Halo Top stands out as the most significant 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 tastes inferior. Competitors have found it challenging to shake off this stigma and have struggled to strike the perfect balance of alternative sweeteners. Moreover, Halo Top incorporates calcium citrate into its formulations, enhancing its nutritional profile while maintaining taste. This addition of calcium citrate not only contributes to the overall richness of the product but also helps distinguish it further in a competitive market. Overall, the clever use of erythritol, inulin, and calcium citrate has made Halo Top a leader in the low-sugar ice cream category, setting a benchmark that others find difficult to meet.