Where to Find Frozen Treats in Tucson, Arizona

Summertime in Tucson is an epic battle between man and sun. Usually, humankind's only defense against the sizzling heat is to stay indoors. Hours upon hours of staring at the wall can take their toll, however, especially with bored kids. One way to get out of the house while still staying cool is to seek a sweet, frozen treat - but traditional ice cream is unhealthy, not to mention dull. Luckily, the Tucson area has two healthy, exciting alternatives to the traditional ice cream shop, Penguin's Frozen Yogurt and FROST: A Gelato Shoppe.

Penguin's Frozen Yogurt

Penguin's has two locations in Tucson - one on University, and one on North Campbell Avenue. They specialize in frozen yogurt, an alternative to ice cream, which made from traditional yogurt. Yogurt, even the frozen kind, contains the helpful bacteria Acidophilus, which helps maintain a healthy digestive tract. Penguin's Frozen Yogurt is fat-free, making it much healthier than ordinary ice cream. Penguin's also makes two special desserts for those who are particularly health-conscious - "Slim Penguins," which is low calorie, low carbohydrate and sugar-free (it's sweetened with Splenda) and "Only 8," which is sweetened with natural fruit sugar. Penguin's is also affordable, with the smallest size starting at $1.95 (without toppings).

Flavors at Penguin's are featured on a rotating basis, which unfortunately means that only six flavors of regular frozen yogurt and one flavor each of the special yogurts are available at a time. Some variation on chocolate and vanilla is always available. Other flavors include "Grasshopper Pie," a delicious combination of Oreo cookies and mint frozen yogurt, and "Brownie Batter," a positively decadent chocolate concoction.

Luckily, what Penguin's lacks in flavor variety they make up for in toppings. There are several sauces available, ranging from the traditional hot fudge to fruit sauces (give the strawberries a try). There are traditional toppings, like nuts and candy pieces, as well as more unusual options, like pretzels. They even have carob chips, which is wonderful if someone in the family has a chocolate sensitivity.

The best thing about Penguin's is the atmosphere. The University location has plenty of indoor seating, including comfortable sofas, where you can enjoy your frozen yogurt in air conditioned comfort. It's wonderful to not be immediately shoved outside, only to watch your ice cream melt. The décor is modern and aesthetically pleasing as well.

FROST: A Gelato Shoppe

If you're like most Americans, you probably haven't experienced true gelato. Grocery stores often sell "gelato" packaged like regular ice cream, but in my experience, this gelato is icy, lacking the smooth appeal of the real thing. Gelato is Italian ice cream, but because it contains only 4-8% butterfat, as opposed to American ice cream which contains 10-18%, it is not generally referred to as "ice cream" in the United States. In fact, gelato from Southern Italy often contains no dairy at all, and is also referred to as "sorbetto," or the more familiar "sorbet." FROST has brought true gelato to Tucson. Currently, there is a location on North Oracle, with a Tanque Verde location in the works. The owners of FROST imported their equipment from Italy, as well as some of the ingredients.

The FROST menu lists fifty-three different flavors of gelato and sorbet, with dozens of those available daily. The list doesn't include seasonal flavors (summer's is Margarita). Flavors range from the ordinary, like Chocolate, to the bizarre - Bubblegum gelato anyone? My personal favorite is the delicately delicious Roasted Almond, but I encourage you to try them all. Small "samples" of the various flavors are always available. In fact, employees generally greet customers with the words, "would you like to taste anything?" And after one taste, you'll be hooked on this silky alternative to ordinary ice cream. FROST is a bit expensive, but it's well worth it. The "piccolo" size, at $3.45, should be enough for anyone, but more ambitious eaters may want the "medio" size, which can contain two different flavors. For those who truly can't make up their minds, the "grande" can hold three flavors.

The one downside of FROST is its popularity - during peak hours, you'll probably have to wait in line. There never seems to be enough seating, either - FROST customers often find themselves standing around. Fortunately, these are minor inconveniences for those seeking Tucson's best frozen treat.