Last year, Manila was hit by the frozen yogurt (“froyo”) craze, the way the U.S. was hit by the same craze around 2007. It’s not like we’ve only discovered yogurt and its numerous health benefits now, but we’ve definitely entered a time when more consumers have become health-conscious and an increasing number of food manufacturers are responding to the need. In yogurt’s case, they’ve upped it a notch by thinking of new and exciting ways to enjoy it, so that it becomes more of a treat than a chore.

Eat it frozen, for example. Top it off with fresh mangoes, almond slices, blueberries, maybe some red beans. Or you can just head to Red Mango.

Red Mango in SM Megamall, Trinoma Mall, the new Eastwood Mall and Greenbelt 3 is the same Red Mango that started the frozen yogurt trend in Seoul seven years ago and now also found in Los Angeles, New York, Bangkok, South Africa, Indonesia and Singapore. It has the same fresh, relaxing, modern interior with red-orange and white furnishings characteristic of all Red Mango stores. The ambiance lends a youthful, laid-back vibe perfect for lounging and long conversations. If you’ve been a Red Mango fan ever since sampling it in maybe one of your trips abroad, then thank Sherika Tanmantiong for finally bringing it to the Philippines this year.

The Red Mango we have here also offers two yogurt variants: Original and Green Tea. Both are all-natural, low-calorie, gluten-free and certified kosher. A small serving is just 90 calories with 0 grams of fat, 3 grams of protein, and 19 grams of carbohydrate. Red Mango was also the first retailer given the National Yogurt Association's Live and Active Culture Seal, a certification given to yogurt manufacturers whose products possess live and active culture in amounts that researchers have determined to give health benefits. For a frozen yogurt manufacturer to get the seal, there must be at least 10 million cultures per gram at the time the frozen yogurt is made.

As of now, Red Mango offers at least 21 toppings, which range from the usual fruits like strawberries, blueberries and mangoes, to the more exotic like pomelo and mochi, to the more kid-friendly ones like cereals, chocolates and nuts. You can order up to 5 toppings per yogurt serving, which amounts to only P60 (P20 for 1 topping, P30 for 2). So, load ‘em up for a healthy feast.

Red Mango offers yogurt On Shaved Ice (P125, one size with 3 toppings), too, if you prefer to explore a more sherbet-like consistency. Surprisingly, it doesn’t taste watered down with the addition of the shaved ice. Our toppings consisted of fresh (not frozen) sliced red grapes, pomelo and melon. Since it’s like eating creamier halo-halo, rounder spoons were given to us this time so we can scoop everything—yogurt soup and all. This version is perfect for hot summer days because it is very refreshing. You can even just “drink” everything once it melted and voila!--instant yogurt shake.

Healthy, fat-free and delicious, either you’re angry at the world or just plain mad not to succumb to this food craze.

But is frozen yogurt really just a food craze? Maybe not. Not when Red Mango is around.