Kula Resident and Twin Brother Launch Brio Ice Cream

Kula resident Arnie Koss and his twin brother, Ron, have created Brio, a new choice for ice cream lovers who want a treat that’s both richly delicious and smartly nutritious.

By Maui Now Staff

Thanks to Kula resident Arnie Koss and his twin brother, Ron, there’s a new choice in Hawaiʻi for ice cream lovers who want a treat that’s both richly delicious and smartly nutritious.

The new product, Brio, can be found at all Foodland, Sack N Save, KTA and Don Quijote stores statewide, as well as in Pukalani Superette, Haʻi-kū Grocery Store and Island Grocery Depot on Maui.

“Brio offers not just a rich, creamy treat–but also smart nutrition to those who want to support personal health and wellness,” says Arnie.

Arnie and Ron also co-founded Earth’s Best Baby Foods in the 1980s, the nation’s first organic baby food company.

The brothers were living on Maui when they began to seriously consider the idea of giving ice cream a healthy makeover. Their inspiration was their mother, who loved ice cream, and wished it could be healthier.

Brio. Courtesy photo.

Ron moved to Vermont and enlisted the help of two former Ben & Jerry’s flavor developers and noted nutritionists to create Brio. The unusual team worked together over 10 years, trying to perfect recipes for Brio.

“The Ben & Jerry’s guys were focused on taste, the nutritionists on leading-edge nutrition–and over a 10-year development process, created a product that both sides were delighted with,” said Ron. “There’s nothing else like it in the market.”

“Brio is the first and only ice cream to truly marry rich, creamy deliciousness with the latest nutrition smarts,” he said.

Ron and Arnie made a commitment to the highest quality ingredients for Brio.

The first ingredient on Brio’s label is fresh, whole, rBST-free milk, from Wisconsin dairy farms. The rich, vivid flavors in Brio come from premium, all-natural ingredients, including juicy Alphonso mangoes, ripe strawberries, coffee, dark cocoa, organic salted caramel and Madagascar vanilla.

“Brio is non-GMO,” explained Arnie. “We are proud to source ingredients that are not genetically modified.”

Brio is also certified gluten free.

Brio has about half the fat, 65% less saturated fat and less sugar than comparable flavors of super-premium ice cream. There are only 160 to 170 calories in a four-ounce serving.

Brio contains no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners–no high fructose corn syrup–and no erythritol, sugar alcohols or stevia.

Naturally sweetened, Brio has less sugar than many fruit-flavored yogurts. Brio is also low glycemic, with a glycemic load of 6 to 8, and a glycemic index rating of 32 to 41.

Arnie has been helping to introduce Brio to the state through product sampling demos at local stores on Maui.

“When people try Brio, the first thing that they say is Brio is so rich, smooth, creamy, and delicious,” Arnie noted. “That alone is enough of a reason for most people to buy it.”

Brio goes beyond guilt-free to offer an array of nutritional advantages.

“We call it ‘ice cream with benefits’,” quipped Arnie.

Brio has 6 grams of protein and balanced Omega 3-6-9 healthy fats. It also provides 30% of your daily calcium, 20% of your magnesium and 45% of your Vitamin D in a single serving. Plus, Brio is rich in antioxidants, with a total of 24 vitamins and minerals in all.

“With Brio, ice cream is no longer an indulgent dessert that you regret eating as soon as you’ve finished it,” said Arnie. “Brio transforms ice cream into a smart anytime snack.”

Brio is an ideal after school snack for children. For athletes, it’s a perfect post-workout replenishment. Brio is also a great morning boost that pairs well with fresh fruit; it can add a healthy addition to a smoothie, and offers a fun-to-eat alternative to nutrition drinks.

“I like replacing an afternoon coffee drink with Brio’s coffee latte flavor,” said Arnie. “Brio provides an excellent choice when you’re too busy to sit down for lunch.”

Brio’s single serve portions offer a satisfying 160 to 170 calorie snack with built-in portion control. There are 14 ounce “small pints” too.

Flavors include Tropical Mango, Coffee Latte, Spring Strawberry, Mellow Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Caramel.

To learn more Brio, and where you can taste free samples, go online.

Through June 19, Brio is giving away free Brio ice cream parties for Hawaii workplaces. To enter, visit Brio’s Facebook page.

Brio is also available on the Mainland, in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest.