National/International Frozen Yogurt Day Date in the current year: February 6, 2024

Frozen yogurt, also known as frogurt or froyo, is the “younger sibling” of ice cream. The main difference between the two frozen desserts is that ice cream is made with milk and/or cream, while frozen yogurt is made with, well, yogurt, just as its name suggests.

Frozen yogurt was invented by the American dairy company HP Hood that started to produce a new kind of frozen dessert in the 1970s. It was sold under the brand name Frogurt. HP Hood was the only producer of frozen yogurt for a while, but in the early 1980s other companies such as Humphreys and Dannon began to produce their own versions of the dessert. By the early 1990s, frozen yogurt constituted for 10% of the frozen treats market.

The main ingredients of commercially produced frozen yogurt are milk solids, milk fat, yogurt culture (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus), sugar or some other kind of sweetener, stabilizing agent or agents (gelatin, guar gum, carrageenan), flavorings and sometimes coloring.

Frozen yogurt has a similar taste to ice cream, but it is usually more tart due to containing lactic acid. It is often promoted as a healthy alternative to ice cream because frozen yogurt is typically lower in fact and calories, as well as contains live bacterial cultures that are thought to have various health benefits.

The celebration of National Frozen Yogurt Day was initiated by TCBY (The Country’s Best Yogurt), an American chain of frozen yogurt stores, back in 1993 to promote its business. The holiday was celebrated on the first Sunday in June, since frozen treats tend to enjoy a higher demand in summer, for obvious reasons.

At some point, an alternative National Frozen Yogurt Day appeared. Although its unclear who invented it, the new date, February 6, became quite popular and was featured on multiple websites dedicated to holidays around the world.

The International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA), created in 2013 to promote the development of the frozen yogurt industry worldwide, chose the February 6 date for its frozen yogurt celebration, deeming it the more popular out of the two.

The IFYA also suggested that National Frozen Yogurt Day be renamed International Frozen Yogurt Day because since the dessert was invented in the United States, other countries have fallen in love with it as well. According to IFYA’s online research, the ten countries with the most froyo shops are the United States, Canada, Greece, Brazil, Italy, Malaysia, Spain, Philippines, Mexico, and Australia. Nevertheless, the holiday is still often referred to as National Frozen Yogurt Day.

What is the best way to celebrate National/International Frozen Yogurt Day? Of course, it is treating yourself to some delicious froyo. Check out your local frozen yogurt shops, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, throw a froyo tasting party for your friends.