Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt is a frozen dessert made from yogurt and other dairy or non-dairy ingredients.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Frozen yogurt is a frozen dessert made from yogurt, often with a tangier flavour than ice cream. It is also known informally as froyo or frogurt.

What it is

Frozen yogurt is a frozen dessert made from yogurt and other dairy or non-dairy ingredients. It is similar to ice cream but typically has a tangier flavour and may contain live bacterial cultures.

Key details

Commercial frozen yogurt may include stabilizers, sweeteners, fruit, and flavourings. It became especially popular in the United States from the 1970s onward. Some versions contain live bacterial cultures, depending on how they are processed.

Why it matters

Frozen yogurt is a common dessert option in Canada, sold in grocery stores, cafés, and dessert shops. It is often compared to ice cream but can be lower in fat, though sugar content may still be high.

In short

  • Frozen yogurt is made with yogurt as a primary ingredient.
  • It is usually served as a dessert and is often compared with ice cream.
  • Some versions contain live bacterial cultures.
  • It became popular in the 1970s, especially in the United States.
Canadian angle

Frozen yogurt is sold in Canadian grocery stores, cafés, and dessert shops, and is familiar to Canadian consumers as a sweet frozen dessert similar to ice cream.

Quick questions

What is frozen yogurt?
Frozen yogurt is a frozen dessert made from yogurt, usually with sweeteners and flavourings added.
Is frozen yogurt the same as ice cream?
No. It is similar to ice cream, but yogurt is the defining ingredient and the flavour is often more tart.
Does frozen yogurt contain live cultures?
Some products do, but the presence and viability of cultures depend on the recipe and processing method.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_yogurt
    Supports: Basic definition, alternate names, and general description as a frozen dessert made with yogurt.
  2. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/frozen-yogurt
    Supports: Simple definition of frozen yogurt as a very cold food made by freezing yogurt.
  3. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frozen%20yogurt
    Supports: Definition as a sweet frozen dessert like ice cream but made from yogurt.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/frozen-yogurt
    Supports: Description as a cultured frozen product and broad composition details.
  5. ScienceDirect — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/frozen-yogurt
    Supports: Notes on production, ingredients, live cultures, and popularity since the 1970s.