This current popular frozen dessert is spelled various ways and some may know it by the trade names of FroYo or Frogurt, but frozen yogurt history dates back over the last four thousand years.

Over the years, people especially those in India and the Middle East, have enjoyed this frozen treat, which is made from cultured, fermented milk. During the early 1900′s, it was brought to the United States and was considered a popular health food alternative to ice cream.

It was in New England during the 1970’s that the sweet treat was first commercially released, when H.P. Hood introduced it as a soft serve dessert. It was sold under the name Frogurt, which is a combination of the two terms. Machines that were used to make ice cream were altered to begin the production of the frozen dessert.

The first packaged frozen yogurt was sold in 1978 by Brigham’s out of Boston. This sandwich and dessert chain sold their frozen yogurt recipes under the name Humphreez Yogart. During the same time, Dannon began selling their frozen yogurt recipe of dark chocolate covered raspberry yogurt on a stick. It was sold under the name Danny.

Companies soon learned that their frozen yogurt recipes would bring negative reviews from consumers due to the surprisingly bitter taste. Consumers were accustomed to eating the sweeter frozen dessert of ice cream. During the 1980′s, they began producing yogurt with additional sweeteners, mainly sugar.

The manufacturers had finally captured a large market and popularity from consumers sent sales up to $25 million in 1986. By the 1990′s, the frozen treat had captured 10% of the market for frozen desserts. Since then, companies have released various flavors and offer options for the customer to customize their dessert with toppings.

Sugar free alternatives are also available, expanding the market for the product even more. Some companies, such as TCBY, focus on making their product similar to ice cream with a creamier texture and sweetness. Other companies focus on making their products similar to the original tart recipe. Frozen yogurt history spans back for generations, but it is a product that has grown in consumer popularity and continues to evolve to this day.