After we heard from a yogurt expert speculating on the mystery ingredient and other facts of the Los Angeles and New York City chain Pinkberry, we were contacted by Heather Wilson of Weber Shandwick, which represents Pinkberry in the realm of communications.
We asked Ms. Wilson about the secret ingredient, and here's what she told us...
It's a trade secret, just like Coke. There are a lot of people who would love to know what is in Pinkberry, which is why we haven't released a list of ingredients yet.
More Pinkberry/Jaunted questions and answers below--our questions are in bold.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture ruled that Pinkberry couldn't be called frozen yogurt, despite what Pinkberry cups claim. If it's not frozen yogurt, what is it?
"Pinkberry does have live active cultures in it, and we believe that it meets the requirements, but we're working with the state... The state of California has very specific rules on what you can and cannot call frozen yogurt. [For example] it has to be made off-site, it can't be made in stores. We want to make sure we're in compliance with 110 percent of the code."
We understand that according to those rules, Pinkberry product has to be made off-site at a dairy and brought in. Has that always been the case?
"That's something we've been working on with the state. Now it is being made offsite at a dairy in California and brought to the stores. I'm not sure about New York."
Why do you think people like Pinkberry so much? If you look online, some people even compare it to crack.
"There is nothing bad in it like that. I think what makes it so addictive is the fresh clean taste and the ability to personalize the toppings. I think people respond to that."
The quest for information continues in our Pinkberry open thread.
[Photo: brandonshigeta]
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