Berryline Thrives in Harvard Square

So, I'm finally heading to Tasti-land (NYC!) tomorrow afternoon, so flavor reviews will be forthcoming. But, in my last day in Boston, I had to check out Berryline, which I've been hearing from all my friends who go to Harvard. Berryline is the first to market in Harvard Square--which, by the way, would be a great location for Tasti D-Lite (hopefully they'll get there soon). I was fairly impressed with Berryline--it's basically exactly the same as Pinkberry, Red Mango, etc. The taste was the same, the toppings are the same, the name is...similar. But, it's interesting to note how devoted Harvard Square residents are to it already--I went twice today (Oreo with Strawberry and Kiwi, then Original with Strawberry and Blueberry), and it was packed both times. Most people in line who I asked hadn't heard of Pinkberry at all. It will be interesting to see how the whole Pinkberry-like food competition will pan out. None of the companies has too much notoriety or too many locations, and the product is the same. It will be interesting to see if Tasti decides these companies are competition or not--I tend to think not.

Tasti Goes International

This past week, Tasti D-Lite announced its first international franchising deal with Coffee Bean Korea Co., Ltd. The deal will bring Tasti D-Lite to South Korea, the first country outside the U.S. to receive Tasti goodness. CEO Jim Amos points out that South Korea is a strong first international location because several "fad yogurt chains" have had great success in the country. It is not specifically noted in the press release that Red Mango, the increasingly popular Pinkberry rival, is based in South Korea and is extremely popular there before coming to New York.

Of course, it's a little hard to believe that Tasti will reach South Korea before, say, Boston, or even Chicago. The deal with Coffee Bean makes some sense, as Coffee Bean fanatics on the west coast are quite similar to Tasti fanatics on the east coast. I doubt it will, but if the deal was extended domestically, I'd imagine it would be quite successful. In any case, the international expansion is certainly exciting for Tasti--I look forward to getting my first e-mail from a Korean Tasti addict.

[EDIT: A commenter points out that there is no connection in the deal between Tasti and The Coffee Bean. It so happens that the main franchiser in South Korea of The Coffee Bean is also working with Tasti D-Lite now. There is no connection between the two companies.]

Columbia Reacts to Pinkberry Revelation, as Pinkberry Ascends

Last week was a tough one for Tasti competitor Pinkberry with the publication of their (quite unnatural) ingredients, but they seem to be regaining momentum. I hate to see Pinkberry take even one customer from Tasti, so these items are not very inspiring.

- Tasti D-Lited previously covered the Pinkberry v. Tasti battle at Columbia University. The Columbia Spectator reports that students are not deterred by the revelation of Pinkberry's ingredients. In fact, the Spectator goes as far as to claim that Pinkberry is still healthier than Tasti and Yolato.

- Tasti has heralded itself as New York's favorite frozen yogurt/dessert for a number of years now. But, in perhaps the most tangible effect Pinkberry has had on Tasti, Time Out New York's yearly survey has given this title to Pinkberry this year. A sad day indeed.

Look forward to some more Tasti-centric posts soon, hopefully. Tasti D-Lited finally relocates back to New York in less than a month!

Pinkberry's Outing Raises Questions for Tasti

As chains like Tasti D-Lite and Pinkberry have become increasingly popular, there have been concerns about what exactly is in the "yogurt" that makes it taste so good without calories. The drama surrounding the class-action lawsuit continues, now forcing Pinkberry to reveal its exact ingredients, and the results showed why they were so hesitant to do so. Even though Pinkberry markets itself as "all natural," the truth does not lead to that conclusion:

The list includes at least five additives defined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization as emulsifiers (propylene glycol esters, lactoglycerides, sodium acid pyrophosphate, mono- and diglycerides); four acidifiers (magnesium oxide, calcium fumarate, citric acid, sodium citrate); tocopherol, a natural preservative; and two ingredients — starch and maltodextrin — that were characterized as fillers by Dr. Gary A. Reineccius, a professor in the department of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota and an expert in food additives.

The aftermath to the controversy has had interesting ramifications on Tasti. New York Magazine food blog "Grub Street"'s lede to their post about it has to scare Tasti:

Back in those heady days when the small-screen Sex and the City reigned over New York, it was all about skinny girlie-girl Miss Charlotte York and her tasteless Tasti D-Lite. Let’s hope that this summer’s big-screen SATC has caught up with the times, because any body fat–phobic New Yorker knows that today it’s all about that tangy frozen yogurt Pinkberry.

The revelation that Pinkberry is filled with all sorts of gross things has shaded opinion of Tasti as well. Grub Street asked Pinkberry devotees about the news and asked several of them about their opinion of Tasti (none were favorable). The most interesting answer came from Benny Tagliareni, 28, when he was asked if he eats Tasti D-Lite.

Uch, no. I don’t eat Tasti D-Lite. It’s all fabricated — disgusting. There’s nothing wholesome about it. You’re ultimately eating garbage. But I don’t expect any fast food to be healthy at all.

It seems clear that a) perception is that Tasti is composed of non-natural ingredients and b) that this Pinkberry law suit is going to shade opinion of Tasti. Tasti's doing its part with its fresh, very natural new image. Additionally, the "flavor + nutrition" page proclaims "Natural Ingredients." "Tasti Science" explains, "We use natural ingredients and just enough real sugar, because it just tastes better that way."

But, thanks to Pinkberry, the folks at Tasti have to reach out even more stringently to ensure customers that there's nothing unhealthy about eating Tasti D-Lite.

Pinkberry Is Not Frozen Yogurt

We're a little late on this news item, but Pinkberry settled a suit last week, which asserted their product isn't all-natural frozen yogurt as claimed.

In a class-action lawsuit filed last year, Pinkberry — which operates roughly 50 stores in California and New York — was accused of misrepresenting its product as “frozen yogurt” and making bogus health claims, including that the dessert (which comes in three flavors: plain, which is very sour; green tea, which is chalky; and coffee, uncommonly delicious) was “all-natural.”

In a preliminary settlement reached this week, Pinkberry denied any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $750,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Para Los Niños. The plaintiff, Lisa Sutton, who said she suffered injuries and undue loss of money spent on Pinkberry products, will receive legal fees and a $5,000 award for bringing the suit.

Under California law, a product cannot be marketed as frozen yogurt unless it is made from milk that is fermented with certain bacteria, mixed off-site rather than in stores, and sold with its ingredients prominently displayed. In the past, Pinkberry had been secret about its products’ ingredients, but it now lists them on its Web site, and it has begun to mix the product off-site.

It's also worth noting that Pinkberry is also considerably more calories than originally claimed. Of course, this isn't anything Tasti hasn't dealt with in the past. Tasti made the switch from "frozen yogurt" to "frozen dessert" a long time ago, and on last week's press release, the PR team finally found a great spin. They wrote, "Not a frozen yogurt because it doesn't contain yogurt and not enough fat to be ice cream, Tasti D-Lite is a uniquely perfect indulgence with just 70 to 100 calories per four fl. oz. serving." This spin still prevents Tasti from seemly unnatural, while clumping its lack of yogurt with a lack of fat.

In any case, it's interesting to see Pinkberry go through the same mistakes Tasti ironed out years ago. Maybe it's not the competitor we thought it might be. For more info on the ingredients in Tasti, check out Tasti Science.

Stealing from the Best

Cold and Tasti-free in Massachusetts today, some friends and I descended upon an original and high-brow establishment--"Truly Yogurt" in Wellesley. I was appalled to see the list of "soft serve" flavors--there's truly nothing delightful about this wannabe yogurt. Get your own fun, yet nonsensical abbreviation!

Columbia Pinkberry Report

Our New York correspondent NYC TB sends us a report on a trip to the new Columbia Pinkberry. Note to all: avoid the "shaved ice."

The shaved ice was basically the kitchen sink. And it cost $8. And it was ridiculous. And I think Lili is the only person who has ever ordered it. It was ridonkulous. Pinkberry is always crowded but I think it's just the novelty. It's SO EXPENSIVE too. And I tried getting the medium with three toppings for lunch and I was hungry by 4 and I had lunch at 1. It's good, but not extraordinary in anyway, and definitely doesn't have whatever it is that is so amazing about jamba that is so consistently godly. Maybe the fact that jamba doesn't have this weird mystique and is always fun and happy and would you like a free boost? Pinkberry is good occasionally, but I definitely can't afford to go there every day. I've been getting original with bananas, strawberries, and kiwi, which is a good mixture of different textures as well as mild and strong, sweet and sour tastes. Original is REALLY GOOD with bananas. I'm thinking of getting the medium sometime and just asking for three servings of bananas because they're awesome!

Still too early to tell what effect this Pinkberry will have on the popular Columbia Tasti D in what is the first real Tasti-Berry showdown.

Columbia Pinkberry is Open and Crowded

Last week, the Pinkberry at Columbia University opened after months of anticipation (actually). More than a week later, midday on a Sunday, lines are still consistently out the door, as this Tasti D-Lited exclusive picture confirms. Our Columbia mole NYC TB says the opening of Pinkberry has created a vicious Tasti D-Lite-Pinkberry divide on campus already. It's unclear as of yet how the popular Tasti D-Lite location in Lerner will be affected. NYC TB reports that the primary knock against Pinkberry has been the astounding price, although it doesn't seem to have affected sales as of yet.

We'll continue to follow the first real Tasti-Pinkberry showdown as it develops.

Pinkberry at Columbia Links:

"Pinkberry Takes on Tasti at Columbia" (Tasti D-Lited)
"The line at Pinkberry is out of control" (The Columbia Bwog)
"Waging a War of Fro-Yo with Tasti D" (The Colubmia Spectator, whose office, you will notice in the picture, is right next to Pinkberry)

Pinkberry Takes on Tasti at Columbia

A new Pinkberry store is opening practically on-campus at Columbia University, challenging the ever-tenuous balance of on-campus frozen yogurt options. The current "yogurt" of choice, of course, is Tasti D-Lite ("New York's Favorite Dessert," natch), with the most populated branch located actually inside a CU building. Tasti D-Lited New York Correspondent "NYC TB" reports widespread curiosity for the Tasti rip-off/trend of the week, but we're willing to bet we'll get back to a Tasti equilibrium soon. This is the first real test as to what extent Pinkberry actually poses a threat.

Columbia' Bwog is covering the news, and NYC TB will be reporting directly to us as the first real Tasti-Pinkberry showdown hits its climax.