Geeze! I just can’t imagine where this one came from. The latest would-be craze: French Fry flavoured frozen yogurt. And it’s creator seems to be banking on it going viral. Are you ready to jump on the bandwagon?
Disclaimer: I actually CAN imagine where it comes from. There’s a fringe ‘thing’ out there about dipping fresh, hot, salty fries into thick, cold soft serve or frozen yogurt. The slightly-more-than-a-fad leverages the classic juxtaposition of sweet and salty.
So why do we need french fry-flavoured yogurt?
Pushing the envelope
There’s a typically American behaviour known as ‘pushing the envelope’ – taking an idea farther than it already goes. And folks who adhere to the ‘push’ philosophy tend to be innovators and creators. But the are limits to everything. My Mom used to point a finger at certain way-out products and practices saying, “They’ve gone over the line – from the sublime to the ridiculous!”
Enter, 16 Handles…
That’s the enigmatic name of the boutique yogurt chain that is currently trumpeting French Fry frozen yogurt. Its slogan is, Let The Good Times Swirl!’ But they are ‘pushing the envelope’ in a number of ways. So, we should probably stat by explaining who they are and what they’re about…
‘[The company] was founded in 2008 by Solomon Choi,” Wikipedia tells us. “The company’s name, ’16 Handles’, refers to the 16 rotating flavors of frozen yogurt available at any given time.” A nod to Baskin Robbins, which rotates its 34 flavours month to month. “And [it’s] also a play on the [title] of the movie Sixteen Candles.”
It’s still privately held, and has expanded to more than 30 locations across the US.
Pay by weight
“16 Handles uses a self-serve model, which allows customers to control the amount of yogurt they want and select their own toppings. After filling their cups with frozen yogurt, customers can visit the toppings bar, where they can choose from a range of options, including fruits, candies, nuts, sauces, and more. The customer pays by weight.” And that’s a nod to Whole Foods’ system for their prepared foods you serve yourself..
Well… That’s different, for an ‘ice cream parlour’! I kind of like the idea. On the other hand, their website doesn’t say anything about prices. So I reserve final judgement on the concept.
French Fry follies
There’s method in 16 Handles’ madness. They’re pushing the fry-dipping phenomenon two steps in one, by extending the craze to frozen yogurt and imbuing the product itself with ‘French Fry’ flavour.
And the crux of their launch promo campaign is a backhanded wave to McDonald’s, whose soft serve machines (legend has it) are ‘always down’.
My take
As I said, I love the idea of s self-serve ice cream parlour – with or without frozen yogurt. But that’s technically a separate issue. I really don’t think Fry-flavoured yogurt is something the world needs. Though I’m sure there are dedicated dippers, who swear by the fad, who would disagree with me.
For me, the idea of Fry-flavoured ‘anything cold’ is a contradiction in forms and flavours. I’ll go as far as to say an outright clash.
My questions to you:
Are you a fry dipper?
Does the idea of French Fry-flavoured frozen yogurt appeal to you?
Would you go to the trouble to seek out a 16 Handles store near you to partake?
Muse on that…
~ Maggie J.