Oasis Ice Cream Keeps it Fresh

"I'm sorry, we're all out of alfalfa today," Oasis Ice Cream owner Doris Osorio said to a pair of customers on Monday afternoon. "We ran out yesterday. We had a line of customers around the corner. Would you like to try spinach?"

Business has boomed recently for Oasis--the tiny yogurt shop located at 5526 Monte Vista St. in Highland Park--thanks to a positive review on The Eastsider L.A.'s "Food Bites" blog. 

As a result, Osorio has had to step up production of her dazzling variety of fresh yogurt flavors, which include spinach, beet and, on most days, alfalfa.

Oasis offers more conventional flavors too, like strawberry-mango, banana, peach, and many more.

Osorio has been making her yogurt from scratch, every day, for about a year-and-a-half in Highland Park.

When she says "fresh," she means it.

"Every morning," Osorio said. "I use plain yogurt and mix in the fresh fruits or vegetables."

A dash of agave is added to each batch for sweetness, Osorio said.

"It doesn't need too much, the fruit is sweet enough as it is," she said.

Osorio purchases her produce from a grocer in Thousand Oaks--she said that about "60 to 70-percent" of her product is organic.

Prior to opening Oasis, Osorio said she often came to Highland Park to have her hair styled at Isao Hair Studio, which is located next door.

Osorio said she learned her trade by taking cooking classes in Reseda.

"I love these flavors," she said.

Highland Park seems to love Oasis' flavors, too. While there wasn't a line around the corner on Monday afternoon, a steady stream of customers flowed into the shop. Each was greeted by Osorio, who was still full of energy after a day full of making fresh yogurt.