Headingley’s much-loved frozen yoghurt café is embracing the witchy season with a new limited-edition flavour, Halloween festivities and a rather unexpected party atmosphere – DJs this Friday and Saturday.
As the evenings draw in and Leeds collectively reaches for its winter coats and fluffy scarves, frozen yoghurt might not be the first thing that springs to mind. But KefiYo, Headingley’s colourful little corner of Mediterranean-inspired indulgence, clearly isn’t ready to let summer have the final say.
Having spent the warmer months attracting queues along Ash Road and filling Instagram feeds with impossibly elaborate frozen yoghurt creations, the café is now turning its attention to Halloween. And, rather fittingly, things have taken a darker turn.
The latest addition to the menu is the blackcurrant frozen yoghurt, swapping KefiYo’s usual pastel shades for something altogether more mysterious. It’s a playful nod to the season, and I rather like the idea of a Halloween treat that doesn’t automatically involve pumpkin spice or a diabetes-inducing quantity of chocolate.
The blackcurrant flavour was moreishly delicious and rich, balanced with a pleasant tanginess and (as ever with Kefiyo) offered the perfect balance of sweetness, complete with spooky wafer (naturally).
Of course, there’s still plenty of opportunity for indulgence. One of KefiYo’s great pleasures is the freedom to build your own froyo, choosing from an ever-changing selection of flavours before getting thoroughly carried away with the toppings. The new blackcurrant flavour joins steadfast favourites such as Biscoff, apple pie, passion fruit and chocolate orange, leaving plenty of room for experimentation.
And if the thought of a frozen treat in late October seems a little unconventional, KefiYo is doing its best to make the occasion worthwhile.
Halloween celebrations began this week, on Wednesday 28 October, with themed decorations, in-store activities and giveaways bringing a little seasonal mischief to the café. Things are set to become livelier still on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, when DJs will be providing the soundtrack to the festivities.
A Halloween party in a frozen yoghurt shop? It’s certainly a refreshing alternative to the usual crowded bars and costume parties.
For those who haven’t yet discovered KefiYo, the café has enjoyed quite the introduction to Leeds since opening earlier this year. With its cheerful interiors, wonderfully customisable bowls and downright obsessive social media following, it’s quickly become the go-to spot for students, families and basically anyone with a sweet tooth who is also mindful of health.
There’s something rather lovely about seeing an independent business continue to reinvent itself with the seasons, especially one whose signature product is so closely associated with sunshine.
Whether you’re planning to embrace Halloween wholeheartedly or simply fancy an excuse to investigate a new flavour, KefiYo’s latest offering is, at least as far as I’m concerned, absolutely worth a little detour through Headingley.
After all, who decided frozen yoghurt was just for summer? Colour me convinced.
KefiYo can be found at 17 Ash Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3JJ. Halloween celebrations continue until Saturday 31 October, with DJs appearing on both Friday and Saturday.
