At this year’s FIBO expo, the team had the fortunate opportunity to try the emerging frozen functional food innovator FRO ZEN Power from down in Austria. The young and growing brand made the trip up to Cologne, Germany, and was on show in full force in the hall opposite all of the sports nutrition supplements next to several other better-for-you food makers. FRO ZEN Power makes ice cream bars that pack 8g of protein, 2g or less sugar, and an unbelievable 150 calories.
Review
As good as FRO ZEN Power’s protein ice cream bars look, they are actually even better in person, and that is not an exaggeration. Once you take them out of the freezer, or in the case of us at FIBO, purchase them at the brand’s booth, hold on to them for about five to ten minutes. When eaten immediately, they are quite hard, not icy or anything like that, just rather dense, but after that brief moment of patience, you will be rewarded with the perfect teeth-sinking consistency.
The catch isn’t that the texture of FRO ZEN Power’s signature protein treat is on point and that it feels exactly like ice cream in your mouth; it’s that the flavors accompanying it are as enjoyable as sugar-loaded ice cream. We had all of the regular flavors of the product and absolutely none disappointed; it was more than some stood out.
In FRO ZEN Power’s Strawberry Cheesecake, you get a sweet hit of strawberry and a cakey base taste that has the typical, somewhat tangy cheesecake flavor, making it immediately reminiscent of an actual cheesecake. The Salted Caramel was another favorite of ours, instantly communicating milk chocolate in its solid chocolate outer and following up with a strong and smooth caramel, not necessarily salty. The last one worth touching on is FRO ZEN Power’s Triple Chocolate, which is essentially a chocolate bomb that takes you through a myriad of chocolates for a decadent chocolate overload.
Summary
We had a feeling that FRO ZEN Power would deliver in every area possible with its protein ice cream bars, but it is the overdelivering that took it over the edge by communicating its various flavors so specifically. Currently, the brand is only available in its home of Austria and a few other countries in Europe, and it is quickly expanding its reach. FRO ZEN Power has global ambitions, so be on the lookout as it brings its must-try protein treat to more and more markets.
