The Ice Cream Informant

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry's Pina Colada

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:55:00 +0000

Since their beginning, Ben & Jerry’s has made a habit of introducing limited batch flavors throughout the year. As Cannoli is phased out after its retirement in April, Pina Colada should start showing up in its place. The coconut ice cream with pineapple chunks is a play on the tropical cocktail and will be available during the summer months of May through August. After first hearing of Pina Colada’s imminent release when I was in Vermont this past April, I had originally been a bit disappointed with the lack of creativity contained in this one. Ben & Jerry’s has built their reputation on ridiculous ingredient combinations and Pina Colada just seemed like a cop out. Now though, with June just around the corner, coconut and pineapple sound like a nice way to ring in this recent string of warmer weather we've had here.

The 220 calories per serving isn’t quite as low as some of their frozen yogurt options, but should still keep you looking slim and trim for bathing suit season. After scooping some of the dense coconut ice cream out of the pint, the super premium consistency is immediately evident. Ben & Jerry’s coconut ice cream is much sweeter than others and closely resembles the coconut taste found in the actual adult beverage. This sugary base is just rich enough to keep your taste buds satisfied and the coconut pulp left behind at the finish of each bite provides enough texture to make up for the lack of any swirls. To play the part of the pineapple juice and garnish, they’ve tossed in pineapple chunks: the appropriate counterpart to the coconut ice cream.

The pineapple pieces aren’t big by any means, nor are they that frequent, but they still manage to add taste and texture to a flavor that would otherwise be lacking. They fail to freeze solid like some fruit mix-ins and release the taste of sweet pineapple juice as they break down inside the pulp-filled, coconut ice cream. The result is a near spot-on representation of a Pina Colada in ice cream; without the alcohol of course. Although this probably won’t be a repeat purchase for me, if you’re a fan of this particular beach beverage or just feel like ushering in summertime with ice cream, this might be worth trying.

Where I Found It: Super Wal-Mart
Grade: C

FREEZER FINDS: TCBY On The Go Frozen Yogurt

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:12:00 +0000

As I was browsing the aisles of Super Wal-Mart yesterday to pick up a few things, I noticed something peculiar from TCBY. If you just can't find the time to enjoy your frozen yogurt in the comfort of your own home or at one of their many locations across the country, now you can take The Country's Best Yogurt with you on the go. Despite the fact that I love ice cream as much as physically possible, I doubt I'll ever be desperate enough to pick up a box of these.

NEWS: Edy's Releases 3 New Limited Edition Flavors - 3 Stripes You're Out, German Chocolate Cake Spectacular! and Salted Caramel Pretzel

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:41:00 +0000

Edy's recently added three new, limited edition flavors to their Grand lineup in the form of 3 Stripes You're Out, German Chocolate Cake Spectacular! and Salted Caramel Pretzel. All will be available from the months of May to August. 3 Stripes You're Out is vanilla ice cream with blueberry and strawberry swirls. German Chocolate Cake Spectacular! is chocolate ice cream with caramel coconut swirl and brownie pieces. The last, Salted Caramel Pretzel, is vanilla ice cream with a salted caramel swirl and pretzel pieces. Let us know what you think of the new additions.

EQUIPMENT REVIEW: The Tubbie

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:35:00 +0000

Every so often, I exchange emails with various companies about reviewing some of their ice cream. Whether it’s due to my endless whining via Twitter or the simple generosity of the company, I’ve been able to taste tons of different craft flavors from across the country. Then, a few weeks ago, I started exchanging emails with an Australian based company that had a rather intriguing product to offer. Let me introduce to you The Tubbie, the cure for cold hands when eating straight from the carton.

Although I’ve used the pint cozy from Ben & Jerry’s in the past, it left a lot to be desired. It was difficult to slide up over pints, didn’t effectively insulate the ice cream and still left my hands colder than I’d like after only a few minutes. I soon abandoned the practice all together and returned back to using a common hand towel. The intention of The Tubbie is to not only replace whatever you’re using now to protect your hands, but also to keep your ice cream frozen for twice as long as it normally would. These are available in pint sized and double pints (more common in Australia and abroad), as well as a variety of different fluffy designs, I opted for the Tiger Malt pint-sized Tubbie to test out.

The striped, shaggy outer layer is sowed around a thick rubber bottom and foam insulated interior. Unlike the other ice cream cozy I’ve tried, this easily slides up and over every pint in my freezer without much effort. For scientific purposes, I started with a fresh, unopened pint of super-premium ice cream to see if The Tubbie could live up to its promises. Despite the fact that the furry exterior takes some getting used to, it’s the ideal thickness to properly insulate the ice cream inside while still remaining easy to grip. As time passed, I noticed not only that my hands weren’t getting cold as they normally do, but also that the consistency of my ice cream had remained steadfast. By the time I had reached the bottom around a half hour later, the last few bites provided nearly the same experience as the first. It may be odd looking for a 20-something year old male to be holding one of these animal-print pint wraps, but it certainly serves a purpose and I’ll continue to use mine in the future.

Where I Found It: www.thetubbie.com
Price: $8.95-$9.95 for pints, $17.95-$19.95 for double pints

REVIEW: Steve's NOLA Coffee & Donuts

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:16:00 +0000

When scanning over all the selections available from Steve’s Ice Cream, NOLA Coffee & Donuts definitely stood out. My infatuation with the combination of creamy coffee and fried dough has been a long standing one, so the description of New Orleans style Blue Bottle Coffee ice cream with Pies “N” Thighs donut pieces seemed like a sure thing. The Brooklyn based creamery doesn’t stray far from home when sourcing ingredients and reaches out to small-scale, local businesses to create this flavor.

Blue Bottle's preparation method for their New Orleans Style Iced Coffee (Actual Photo: Adam Goldberg)

Blue Bottle Coffee has multiple locations across California and New York, but the Berry St. Brooklyn store sits closest to Steve’s. This artisan coffee roasting company brews a variety of different blends nearly every way imaginable. For their ice cream, Steve’s has opted for the Iced New Orleans Style with chicory. The preparation method and finished product are both pictured above.

(Photo: Buck Ennis)

For the donuts they’ve decided on another Brooklyn institution: the hip, Southern restaurant referred to as Pies “N” Thighs. The three female owners serve up fried chicken and waffles, collard greens and biscuits but also fry up a few different donuts as well. Steve’s Ice Cream chooses the old fashioned, cake kind. I can’t speak on the deliciousness of their donuts, but according to an article from New York Magazine, who awarded them the Best Donuts in all of New York for 2007, “They’re crisp-edged and properly dense, spiced with nutmeg, and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Buttermilk and sour cream give them a subtle tang, and, because Pies-n-Thighs partner Sarah Buck, in her delightfully quirky way, cuts the batter with a large biscuit ring, each one is about the size of a Texas grapefruit or maybe an undersize boccie ball—which, unlike big bagels, isn’t a bad thing in our book.”

At 240 calories per serving, the Blue Bottle infused ice cream is high in butterfat and low in overrun. The slow-melting time of the potent base allows all the flavors contained inside to fully develop without dissipating too quickly. Iced coffee typically produces a bolder, slightly more flavorful taste when compared to hot coffee and this shines through in the ice cream; as well as the addition of chicory. After the first few layers were removed, I finally realized that the old-fashioned donuts from Pies “N” Thighs had been blended up far past what I had been expecting.

Even though the donuts pieces that have been swirled into the iced coffee ice cream remain small in size, this method also ensure that every bite gets at least a few crumbs. This gives the whole ice cream a unique texture that finishes with the taste and feel of authentic donuts. On a few occasions I found larger chunks that were able to fully showcase the feel of the cake. These weren't fluffy or weightless like the yeast-raised versions, but remain dense and chewy throughout. When combined with the super-premium base, the result is an effective combination of one-off ingredients that you literally can’t find anywhere else.

Where I Found It: Steve's Ice Cream Online Store
Grade: A

NEWS: Ben & Jerry's Revives White Russian From The Flavor Graveyard, But Only In Scoop Shops

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:39:00 +0000

After teasing of reviving a flavor from their Flavor Graveyard, Ben & Jerry’s decided to resurrect White Russian from the dead. Unfortunately for those of us without a scoop shop nearby, we won’t be able to try this new offering. It also looks like this may become a reoccurring theme according to the photo above.

READER REVIEW: Bob's Review of 2nd St. Creamery Copper Kettle Caramel

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:05:00 +0000

First off, I’ve had a lot of the flavors from 2nd Street Creamery, but after seeing the reviews of Copper Kettle Caramel I wanted to crack this pint open as soon as possible. So far I’ve tried Can’t Tell Me No! Cookie Dough (my favorite), Tons of Brownies (good), Cannoli Di Nonni (good) and Black Hills Strawberry Rhubarb (not very good). I’ve heard stories of overwhelming amounts of sea salt caramel fudge truffles with a divine caramel ice cream and caramel ribbon. If this holds true we may be looking at the closest contender to Talenti’s Sea Salt Caramel.

After opening the pint, I immediately see a small truffle poking through the center, surrounded by the caramel swirl and caramel ice cream. The base isn’t quite like Talenti’s gelato, but the richness of the ice cream brings out the flavors of the caramel. After taking a few more bites, I finally made my way to insane amount of truffles. It eventually got to the point where every single bite I was taking contained a truffle. These aren’t that small either. Where some truffles in other flavors are frozen solid, these are still soft, chewy and oozing with caramel and fudge. Each bite was better than the last.

Considering the caramel base is complimented by a caramel swirl, I thought these might blend right in, but that’s not true. The darker colored swirl provides a different taste when compared to the ice cream. In my opinion, this easily outperforms Talenti’s Sea Salt Caramel. The overall taste, mix-ins involved and swirl all beat out the gelato version. This is the best caramel ice cream I’ve ever had. If you ever see this pint in any of the stores near you, do yourself a favor and purchase it right away.

Where Bob Found It: Super Wal-Mart
Bob's Grade: A

NEWS: Turkey Hill's May Limited Edition Flavor, Southern Lemon Pie

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:38:00 +0000

Turkey Hill recently announced its May flavor of the month, Southern Lemon Pie. This is described as tangy lemon ice cream swirled with whipped marshmallow and shortbread pieces. Considering it’s nearly impossible to find any of the limited edition offerings in my area, I might have to take Turkey Hill’s advice and put in a request with one of my store’s frozen foods managers. Let us know what you think of Southern Lemon Pie or last month’s Fried Ice Cream.

FREEZER FIND: Ben & Jerry's Release a Walgreen Exclusive Flavor: Truffle Trifecta

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:23:00 +0000

After one of our readers was tipped off by a weekly ad from Walgreens, someone finally was able to find the new exclusive flavor from Ben & Jerry's. The official description of Truffle Trifecta is chocolate ice cream with marshmallow, fudge and caramel truffles. Let us know what you guys think of it if you're able to find a pint.

READER REVIEW: Winston's Review of Ben & Jerry's Everything But The...

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Sun, 19 May 2013 16:12:00 +0000

Having had Ben and Jerry’s Everything But The around a year ago, the experience proved completely satisfying and unquestionably merited a rescoop and review. When it comes to ice cream, I’m definitely a sucker for mix-ins and variety; in those categories, this flavor certainly excels, as it’s advertised as a collision of chocolate & vanilla ice creams mixed with peanut butter cups, heath bar chunks, white chocolatey chunks, & fudge covered almonds.

The top of the pint displayed a mixture of Ben and Jerry’s classic chocolate and vanilla bases with several solid mix-ins peeking through the surface. My first scoop (pictured), littered with a cornucopia of mix-ins (separated from the base, and proudly displayed below), illustrates the complexity of the entire pint: a massive mash-up of candy and ice creams. Both bases proved absolutely incredible—just as I’d remembered them from many past pints, and immediately satisfied my craving for chocolate. That said, Ben and Jerry’s blends a relatively strong, empowering chocolate that easily overshadows other elements of some of their flavors. In this case, though, the pint seemed to contain a disproportionate amount of vanilla base, which, at times, allowed the vanilla to demonstrate its own unique richness and creaminess, without being overshadowed by its big cacao brother. My previous pint of Everything But The seemed to contain a tad more chocolate, and, therefore, I don’t recall ever tasting any distinct vanilla elements, merely an occasionally dampened chocolate bite.

On the topic of relative irregularity between pints, this recent pint contained a large mash-up of mix-ins that proved distinctly different from my previous pint. Around two out of three bites contained at least one solid mix-in—identical to my experience with my past pint. However, the comparative makeup of the mix-ins proved distinct: this current pint contained a high volume of peanut butter cups, perhaps 5 halves and one full cup; further, it contained around 15 chocolate covered almonds, 6-7 white chocolate chunks, and zero heath bars, only a few flakes of the milk chocolate heath bar exterior. My previous pint had maybe 2 peanut butter cup halves, around the same amount of white chocolate chunks and nuts, and around 3-5 large chunks of heath. The absence of heath bar innards in my current pint is disappointing, and it is actually not my first encounter of a nearly Heath-less pint: my one and only purchase of Vanilla Health Bar Crunch contained virtually no heath innards; it contained mostly flecks of milk chocolate. (Of note: I wrote to Ben and Jerry about my poor experience with Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch, and they were nice enough to offer me a coupon for a free pint and a discount for a second pint. I applied one of those coupons to this pint, though I forget which. I find it ironic that my second attempt to enjoy some Heath bar resulted in another upset.)

The mix-ins, as always, tasted absolutely incredible, and satisfied my candy urge, as I’m sure it would for anyone else. The peanut butter cups proved to be the best of all the mix-ins: brittle yet soften in your mouth, rich with peanut butter filling, and coated with sweet milk chocolate. The chocolate covered almonds and white chocolate chunks demonstrated equal and distinctly satisfying elements; the white chocolate tasted like premium, rich white chocolate, and the almonds released strong nutty and chocolate flavors when chewed. My only (other) complaint about the mix-ins is that they aren’t provided the opportunity to offer a simultaneous flavor contrast to the base. I repeatedly found myself eating and enjoying the bases from each spoonful first, as the ice cream thawed and became liquid rather quickly, while the solid mix-ins took more time to thaw. After swallowing the liquid, melted ice cream, I would then employ my teeth to break down and enjoy each remaining mix-in individually. In other words, I could have just as easily taken a bite of plain ice cream and then popped some candy in my mouth. That said, such an experience wouldn’t be nearly as mysterious and exciting. While I’m confident that Ben and Jerry's won’t change this flavor, it could be improved by adding cookie dough, some kind of swirl, or brownies, as any one of those three would certainly mix well with the base on the palate, and provide a marked flavor and texture contrast that the candy in this pint simply cannot accomplish.

I really want to give this pint and A; being a mix-in lover, it is definitely one of my favorites, and I absolutely did enjoy it. However, when compared to the flavor and texture contrasts that Phish Food (2x swirls that provide strong flavor contrast and solid phish candies) , Chocolate Peppermint Crunch (2x swirls that also provide flavor contrast and solid cookie balls), and Half Baked (the same bases as Everything But The…, but with solids that actually blend into the base and provide flavor and texture contrast) I must admit that Half Baked, Phish Food and Chocolate Peppermint Crunch proved more satisfying, and are both definitely one tier ahead of “everything but the…”. Perhaps if this pint actually contained the full line-up of mix-ins it is advertised to contain, and actually lived up to its label, I would have been overwhelmed by the diversity of mix-ins, and would rank it with an “A”. However, having two very different pints that both didn’t absolutely astound me indicates that such a fortunate occurrence is probably not common.

Where Winston Found It: Super Wal-Mart
Winston's Grade: B

REVIEW: Phin & Phebes Vanilla Cinnamon

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:47:00 +0000

As I stood scanning over all the selections inside the Styrofoam cooler I had just received from Phin & Phebes, perhaps the least exciting sounding of them all came wrapped in red. This pint of Vanilla Cinnamon sounded rather uneventful and features the simple combination of vanilla ice cream with Vietnamese Cinnamon. According to the duo from Brooklyn, “We wanted to make a vanilla ice cream that was, well…not so “vanilla.” The Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon in this two-fold bourbon vanilla ice cream steals the show. Enjoy by the spoonful or with an espresso or on top of warm apple pie and call it a day.” After reading their mission with this flavor, it seems Phin & Phebes has the intention of putting another unique twist on a classic. While I’ve had cinnamon infused ice creams in the past, I’ve yet to see anyone utilize the Vietnamese version (also known as Saigon cinnamon).

According to Wiki, this Southeast Asia indigenous spice has the highest concentration of essential oils compared to the other cinnamons, and as a result, costs more than the rest. From 1959 to 1975 during the Vietnam War, this was unavailable in the United States, but luckily for us Phin & Phebes goes the extra mile to secure some of the best cinnamon available for their ice cream. This base-only offering comes in at 240 calories per serving, enough to ensure that this ice cream will have a thick consistency to showcase all the complex flavors involved. After taking off the top, the first layer is a beige color and shows plenty flecks of the aforementioned Vietnamese Cinnamon. Despite the density, my spoon scoops out the base with ease.

My first taste of Vanilla Cinnamon is packed full of complex flavors that I hadn’t initially expected. The front end is loaded with mild hints of bourbon and plenty of the sweet vanilla mentioned in the description; a combination not commonly found. Then, slowly but surely, the Vietnamese Cinnamon comes into play as the sweetness of the bourbon-infused vanilla is ushered out. Each bite finishes with a burst of the aromatic, flavorful spice. By effectively balancing out the flavors, and using unique ingredients, Phin & Phebes has found a way to make their vanilla, well…not so vanilla. Although this may not appeal as much to the vanilla bean purists, they've created a new favorite of mine.

Where I Found It: Phin & Phebes Shipment (also available here)
Grade: A

REVIEW: Phin & Phebes Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:48:00 +0000

After bringing together sweetened peanut butter and salted pretzel bits in Peanutty Pretzel, the second of Phin & Phebes most recent releases also looked to combine contrasting flavors. This time they’ve opted for a mixture of dark, rich and fudgy chocolate ice cream with salty caramel. They describe their new Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel by writing, “The mysteries of the Universe unravel with every bit of this dark chocolate ice cream sprinkled with salty caramel to form an outrageously rich and delicious treat.” Up to this point, salt-infused bases had been attempted exclusively with caramel, but Phin & Phebes puts a uniquely New York, chocolate twist directly into the ice cream itself.

This base only offering tips the scales at 230 calories per serving, which is right in line with many of the other super-premium ice creams from Phin & Phebes and ensures a slow-melting, dense consistency. Despite the fact that this contains 14% butterfat, the base retains a fluffier feel than much of the competition; but is still fully capable of delivering a full-bodied flavor. After sampling my first bite of Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel, I’m taken back by the bold, robust flavors flowing throughout. Unlike some of the bigger brands, these small, craft ice cream operations can stand to take more chances with their creations since they’re catering to a certain market. This is exemplified by the amount of salt involved.

The result is one of the saltiest ice creams I’ve seen. Although this may not sound too enticing to some, this really allows the flavors from the dark, rich chocolate and buttery caramel to flourish. Each bite contains a complex adventure through many different tastes that proves to be more than enough to keep me occupied; even without the assistance of mix-ins. The unique combination is something you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere and after completing the pint, just may be my new favorite chocolate ice cream.

Where I Found It: Phin & Phebes Shipment (also available here)
Grade: A

REVIEW: Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby (Fairtrade Version)

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:52:00 +0000

While on my recent visit to the Ben & Jerry’s headquarters, they made it quite clear that they take Fairtrade very seriously. Although they won’t be compromising any long-standing relationships such as that with Greyston Bakery, they plan on doing everything in their power to bring the Fairtrade seal to as many of their flavors as possible. One of their most famous offerings, Chubby Hubby, was recently tweaked to fit in with their social plan. While the original version used fudge covered peanut butter filled pretzels, the Fairtrade version required the formula to be altered; resulting in the new description of vanilla malt ice cream with peanutty fudge-covered pretzels with fudge & peanut buttery swirls. Considering how much the cult following of Ben & Jerry’s reveled in the old recipe, I found it necessary to explore this latest revision.

While the ingredients may have been changed, they still manage to keep the 340 calories per serving of the original. With the top removed, Chubby Hubby retains the marbled design of old, but does a better job of hiding the covered pretzels than my last pint. Just like my last experience, the vanilla malt base doesn’t differ all that much from the standard version. The malty finish to the super-premium ice cream is something you won’t find in any of their other flavors; making the base a unique experience in itself. The large influx of ingredients swirled within the malt vanilla ice cream make it nearly impossible to have a base-only bite. The first of the mix-ins, the contrasting swirls, have many differences, but are equally as effective. The chocolate fudge swirls are sweet and have a liquid consistency, while the peanut buttery swirls are stiff, salty and slightly gritty in texture. Both compliment the malted vanilla beautifully.

The real focus of this review falls on the new Fairtrade pretzels that finish off this flavor. Seeing as how I hadn’t purchased a pint of the original Chubby Hubby in many months, I had forgotten just how many of these large, multifaceted mix-ins there would be. Whereas the original version had trapped the peanut butter in the center of the chocolate-coated pretzels, the Fairtrade version takes a big, salty pretzel and coats it with peanut butter and then chocolate. These dual exterior coatings ensure that the pretzels crunchy consistency isn’t compromised by any of the actual ice cream making its way inside. All the rich flavors on the outside combined with the salty crunch on the inside results in a recipe that I find superior to the former. With this change to the formula, Ben & Jerry’s has not only stayed true to their Fairtrade ambitions, but have slightly improved one of their fan favorites as well.

Where I Found It: Harris Teeter
Grade: A

READER REVIEW: Bob's Review of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:36:00 +0000

After seeing The Ice Cream Informant’s recent review of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, I decided to give the new exclusive flavor a try for myself. Seeing as how I’m a diehard peanut butter lover, I knew this would be right up my alley. Although I haven’t had Peanut Butter World, the Target exclusive, I have had their Peanut Butter Cup so I can compare this to the original. The description is right to the point: chocolate peanut butter ice cream with peanut butter cups. Unlike others that provide a ton of mix-ins, this is more straightforward. This version uses a chocolate base and peanut butter cups instead of the peanut butter base and peanut butter cups of the original.

Now what is the major difference? Honestly not much. If you’re a chocolate lover and enjoy peanut butter cups in ice cream this is for you. If you’re more of a peanut butter lover, you may want to stick with the original. Almost every bite was complete with a peanut butter cup half. Not fragments of small pieces, but large halves. I would venture to say there were around 10 full peanut butter cups shoved inside this ice cream. Although the top portion wasn’t quite as packed as some others I’ve seen, the bottom part of my pint was a minefield of peanut butter cups. I enjoyed this version, but I still prefer the purely peanut butter variation.

Where Bob Found It: Super Wal-Mart
Bob's Grade: B

NEWS: Ben & Jerry's to Revive a Flavor from the Graveyard

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:32:00 +0000

According to Ben & Jerry’s Facebook page, the company plans on reviving one of their old flavors that has been previously retired to their Flavor Graveyard. Although we certainly shouldn't expect to see Wavy Gravy, there are plenty of other worthy candidates that have been sitting six feet under for some time. Until they unveil the actual one they’ve selected, feast your eyes on some of the photos I took of the Flavor Graveyard during my recent trip to Vermont...

REVIEW: 2nd St. Creamery Tons of Brownies

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:02:00 +0000

After Copper Kettle Caramel nearly topped my Rankings list, my second experience with 2nd St. Creamery came from Tons of Brownies. The classic flavors contained in this pint aren’t exactly innovative, but after seeing what they could do with caramel at the helm, I couldn’t help but be excited about their potential when given a vanilla ice cream with chewy chocolate chip brownies and fudge sauce. According to their website, “At the creamery, we sometimes have “Treat Days”. I always like to bring brownies, since they are my favorite. However, every time I make them at home to bring for Treat Day…they all disappear before I can leave the house! I can never seem to make enough for both my family and for Treat Day! So, to stay on top of the demand at my house and still have enough left over for the creamery. I decided I better bake a “ton” of brownies. Who knew that this would be the inspiration for Tons of Brownies? Every time you want brownies…you need a ton of ‘em!”

This super-premium combination of ingredients comes in at 270 calories per serving; a small price to pay for the considerable amount of brownie chunks and liquid chocolate I'd soon uncover. Only because I remember the large concentrations of caramel from the last pint, I’m not completely taken back by the heavy flow of fudge sauce spinning around the first layer. The vanilla ice cream is hard to secure by itself, but besides a few crumbs of broken brownie I was able to get a spoon full of just the super-premium base to serve as my first taste. This simple, sweet ice cream is straightforward, slow melting and provides a suitable canvas to showcase the outrageous amount of mix-ins to come.

The dark, swirling stripes of chocolate only get thicker and more substantial as I scrape off the first few layers. Although I’ve had many flavors featuring a fudge swirl in the description, few were as impressive as the one from 2nd Street Creamery. This heavy liquid is full of fudge flavor, has a great texture and compliments the simplicity of the vanilla ice cream. Before I’m even able to wrap my head around how well they’ve combined the classic flavors of chocolate and vanilla, I begin to encounter the absurd amount of brownies that are hiding just below the surface.

2nd Street Creamery has used such a large quantity of chunks that if you’re scooping out a decent sized spoon full, you’re guaranteed to get at least one brownie in each bite. Not only do they add a dense, chewy texture full of rich chocolate taste, but they're also harboring mini chocolate chips inside. A sample containing the dense vanilla ice cream, robust fudge swirl and chunks of decadent chocolate chip brownies results in a top-notch, super-premium impersonation of a classic brownie sundae. Despite the fact that I’ve only covered a few creations from 2nd Street, they’re far outshining the veteran ice cream corporations using classic flavor combinations.

Where I Found It: Harris Teeter
Grade: A

READER REVIEW: Frank's Review of Umpqua Birthday Cake

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:17:00 +0000

Recently I've been exploring local offerings outside of the super-premium realm and discovered a gem in Umpqua Birthday Cake Ice Cream (for those unfamiliar: Umpqua is an Oregon dairy with products available throughout the Northwest). While not much is to gleaned from the outside packaging, Umpqua's description was enough to entice my purchase: "Thick fudge frosting and candy sprinkles top this delicious yellow cake flavored ice cream."

Upon opening the carton, I was pleasantly surprised by the abundant chocolate fudge mix-ins, along with an appealing yellow fluorescence unlike any of the other cake flavored ice creams I have tried in the past. As I shoveled a few heaping spoonfuls into my bowl, my level of excitement remained elevated--the ice cream remained frozen and resisted the instantaneous melting indicative of lower quality products.

The taste was true to its name, delivering a distinct and accurate approximation of yellow birthday cake with chocolate frosting. The fudge frosting mix-ins were in solid form, yet still had enough chew to provide the sensation of gooey chocolate frosting mixed with cake. The sprinkles added an enjoyable visual aspect, but were otherwise lost in the mix. Last, at 170 calories per serving, Umpqua's Birthday Cake offers a nice lower calorie option as opposed to its super-premium counterparts. All in all, I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot if it's available in your area.

Where Frank Found It: WinCo Foods
Grade: B

REVIEW: Three Twins Dad's Cardamom

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:16:00 +0000

After tasting the likes of Lemon Cookie and Chocolate Orange Confetti, I've kept my eyes open for some of the more interesting offerings from Three Twins. The last time I was at The Fresh Market I stumbled across the strange sounding flavor referred to as Dad’s Cardamom: an aromatic spice for an extraordinary taste sensation. Although the flavors from Three Twins featuring mix-ins tend to outperform their base only creations, this one sounded too mysterious to pass up. Since cardamom isn’t a spice normally found in frozen desserts, I surfed over to their website to educate myself on the inspiration behind this odd ice cream. According to founding twin Neal Gottlieb, “Cardamom is a taste unto itself, so I am always at a bit of a loss when asked to describe its flavor. It’s akin to describing the color blue or the scent of white truffles.”

Three Twins expands on this by adding, “cardamom tends to envelop you in its taste and unmistakable aroma – it’s an otherworldly taste experience," They also stay true to their simple, organic roots by saying this of what’s inside Dad’s Cardamom, “So, what's in it? Really, not much. We start with our base of milk, cream, sugar and eggs and then add our beloved Madagascar vanilla and a healthy dose of ground cardamom. And then we're done. Six ingredients. All delicious.” In addition, they've managed to restrict this cardamom-infused vanilla ice cream to only 180 calories per serving. After taking off the top, the first layer looks very similar to that of a vanilla bean ice cream with such a high concentration of cardamom flecks. Considering Three Twins mentions aromatics in the description, I took notice of the strong scent coming from inside this pint. Since cardamom doesn’t routinely make its way into my diet, it wasn’t a smell I was familiar with; but was interesting to say the least.

The spiced base scoops out rather easily as my spoon scraped across the first layer and fell in line with other sub-200 calorie, premium flavors as far as consistency is concerned. The fluffy cardamom ice cream starts out with the sweet flavoring of complex vanilla, but is soon overpowered by the unique herb on the backend. The result is a one a one of a kind taste that I’ve never experienced before and is expanded upon on the Three Twins website when they said, “This is a flavor that often pleasantly surprises folks, whether they’re trying it for the first or third or 93rd time. And, this is one of the flavors that folks most often sing the praises of on Facebook and in the Twittersphere.” Dad’s Cardamom came off overwhelming at first, but was able to win me over by the pint’s completion. If you’re looking for a truly riveting ice cream experience, this definitely fits the bill.

Where I Found It: The Fresh Market
Grade: B

READER REVIEW: Bob's Review of Ben & Jerry's Nutty Caramel Swirl (7-Eleven Exclusive)

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Mon, 13 May 2013 23:13:00 +0000

Since I don’t have a 7-Eleven in my area, I had to wait until I was in Pittsburgh before I was able to get the Ben & Jerry’s exclusive, Nutty Caramel Swirl. First let’s take a look at what the product contains and then we’ll breakdown each individual aspect. Nutty Caramel Swirl is described as nougat ice cream with peanuts, fudge flakes & a salty caramel swirl. Upon opening the pint it's very clear that Ben & Jerry’s didn’t skimp on the mix-ins. It was an absolute minefield of peanuts and fudge flakes from the first layer on. The nougat ice cream looks and tastes more like a peanut butter/caramel base. Following my first few bites, it was clear that every single bite would contain a mouthful of mix-ins.

After taking a few bites, I’m thoroughly impressed by the mix-ins inside Nutty Caramel Swirl. There wasn’t one bite that didn’t contain parts of a peanut or fudge flake and they only got more concentrated as I progressed through the pint. The fudge flakes resemble large shavings, however there were also bigger chunks that seemingly slipped through the processing. The caramel swirl on the other hand is a bit harder to dictate, since the base is a bit overwhelming andthe nougat base comes off more as a mixture of peanut butter/caramel rather than the intended flavor.

After reading a few reviews that mention the similarities to a Snickers candy bar, I’d have to agree. If fudge, nuts, and a small touch of salty caramel swirl are right up your alley, then look no further than Nutty Caramel Swirl. This was a very good pint and one that I would consider one of Ben & Jerry’s best.

Where Bob Found It: 7-Eleven
Grade: B

NEWS: New Orleans Ice Cream Company Offers a New Flavor, Mardi Gras Pie

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:39:00 +0000

According to New Orleans Ice Cream Company’s Facebook page, Mardi Gras Pie has started to hit shelves where their products are offered. The official description reads, “It’s Mardi Gras in your mouth with this parade favorite – gooey marshmallow ice cream with marshmallow swirl, chocolate flakes & soft graham cracker. You’ll be hollerin’: throw me one, mister!” I’ve been waiting on this particular offering for months and I’m excited to try it for myself.

REVIEW: Phin & Phebes Peanutty Pretzel

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:35:00 +0000

Only a few days after discovering this small Brooklyn-based ice cream company in my local Earth Fare, Phin & Phebes added two new flavors to their five existing ones. Peanutty Pretzel and Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel joined the likes of Banana Whama, Coconut Key Lime, Ginger Snap Cookie, Vanilla Cinnamon and Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Luckily for me, Phin & Phebes generously gifted me a five-pint shipment of their products; including the two latest releases. Although the combination of peanut butter and pretzels isn’t a new concept when it comes to ice cream, the description on their website shined a new light on this classic combination. They describe their peanut butter ice cream with chocolate covered pretzel bits as, “Some things are just meant to be together. We combined creamy peanut butter ice cream with slightly salty pretzels covered in chocolate to form the Bermuda Triangle of ice cream flavors.”

This super premium, 14% butterfat peanut butter ice cream contains 250 calories per serving; an even 1000 calories for the entire pint. With the top removed, the first layer of this peanut butter base is off-white in color and shows flecks of the chocolate and pretzel that chipped off during the churning process. My first bite is mild, sweet and avoids the saltiness normally associated with peanut butter. Phin & Phebes is able to balance out the overpowering nature of the main ingredient inside; providing a suitable foundation for a salty mix-in. Peanutty Pretzel melts down slowly and brings a unique texture thanks to the crumbs that have fallen off the covered pretzels. Although they aren’t quite as plentiful as the mix-ins found in pints from other manufacturers, it isn’t long before I begin to run into the chocolate covered pretzel bits scattered about.

Soon after breaking the surface I was met by a steady influx of these multi-talented mix-ins. The elongated pretzel sticks have a thin chocolate coating that provides a wide array of tastes and textures. The bits contain a light, crunchy feel that ends with a rich finish due to the chocolate glaze on the outside. When contrasted against the sweet, peanut butter ice cream, the result is a simple yet effective combination of classic flavors. An accompanying swirl or slightly larger pretzel pieces could have given Peanutty Pretzel the push needed to receive an A, but still remains worthy of seeking out and sampling for yourself.

Where I Found It: Phin & Phebes Shipment (also available here)
Grade: B

REVIEW: The Fresh Market Biscotti with Italian Fig Gelato

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Sun, 12 May 2013 15:11:00 +0000

The Fresh Market is usually where I head when I’m looking for my next Jeni’s, Graeter’s or Three Twins fix, however recently their own generic line of gelatos had peaked my interest. Unique flavors like Tiramisu & Mascarpone and Sweet & Spiced Gingerbread were simple and effective, but lacked the mystery associated with their Biscotti with Italian Fig. Seeing as this isn’t a combination of tastes you commonly see in a frozen dessert, I had little idea of what to expect. The Fresh Market writes on the back of the carton, “we’ve captured a true Italian tradition with this gelato recipe. A rich, creamy biscotti-flavored base melded with swirls of sweet Italian fig – simply perfect.” Biscotti (or twice baked cookies) and fig may sound like an odd duo, but as I’d soon find out, would make a pleasant pair inside a pint.

After removing the polka-dotted lid, I was a bit surprised at the bright yellow shade of the gelato; something I hadn’t expected from the biscotti base. The 200 calories per serving is right in line with the other options from The Fresh Market and pretty standard as far as gelatos are concerned. My first bite is free of the fig swirl and brings flavors I’ve never before experienced in frozen form. Although I wouldn’t be able to pinpoint biscotti in a blind taste test, the overly sweet base is smooth and has a thick consistency that’s slow to melt. The gelato provides just enough flavor and texture to keep me interested, despite only being accompanied by a small swirl.

These petite, purple stripes effectively enhance the biscotti base and add an influx of fig flavoring. The dark swirl also incorporates some of the seeds, which gives the finish of each bite an interesting texture. Although I probably wouldn’t repeat this purchase, it was worth the price to taste a mixture of ingredients you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere. This wasn’t quite on the level of gelatos from Talenti or Haagen Dazs, but was still enjoyable. Hopefully The Fresh Market will continue to try out different, creative combinations in their future flavors.

Where I Found It: The Fresh Market
Grade: C

REVIEW: Steve's Blackberry Honey

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:30:00 +0000

Following my first few encounters with Steve’s Ice Cream, I figured if I were ever going to enjoy a non-dairy dessert, this Brooklyn-based brand would be the one to win me over. The other pints contained in my shipment were all chock full of incredible ingredients swirled with their super-premium ice cream, so after reading the description of Blackberry Honey, I remained skeptical that this could live up to the others. The simple summary of blackberry swirled with wildflower honey is further expanded upon on the back of the carton: tart and sweet blackberry coconut crème made with fresh berries and swirled with a delicate ribbon of aromatic wildflower honey. At first glance, the view through the transparent pint is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing of them all and proudly displays the beautiful, bright purple base and large concentrations of golden honey through the plastic.

Considering this was the first non-dairy frozen dessert I’d be reviewing, I took a closer look at the ingredients list than I normally would. It’s surprising to see that this still contains 210 calories per serving despite the first five ingredients being filtered water, coconut cream, organic agave, organic sugar and safflower oil. As soon as I open the top, I draw in a deep breath through my nose to savor the unbelievable scent of the wildflower honey. Aromatics are usually blanketed by the frozen nature of ice cream, but the cold temperature does little to hide the fragrance flowing out of this pint. Although the fuchsia-colored first layer is a little softer than Steve’s standard ice cream, the blackberry base retains an above average texture; especially considering there is no cream or milk involved. It remains smooth, creamy and the leftover blackberry seeds gave it an interesting texture.

Even though coconut cream was second on the list of ingredients, the taste can’t manage to break through the boldness of the blackberries; but still enhances the overall feel. The texture is enhanced even further when the wildflower honey came into play. This sticky swirl coats the outside of the carton, cuts in between layers along the way, pairs wonderfully with the blackberries and is the highlight of this pint. The fresh, bright flavors provided by Steve’s Blackberry Honey wasn’t quite up to par with their full-bodied, diary options; but it’s not far behind either.

Where I Found It: Steve's Ice Cream Online Store
Grade: B

REVIEW: New Orleans Ice Cream Co. Baked Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:13:00 +0000

With the exception of Mardi Gras Pie, which New Orleans Ice Cream Company has kept under wraps up to this point, I had only one remaining pint left to review in their current lineup. The last and final flavor comes with the following description, “Delight in a decadent dessert of vanilla bean ice cream with crunchy meringue pieces, fresh strawberries, moist cake pieces & a soft meringue swirl.” Considering the success of their other cake-inspired creations such as their Lemon Doberge Cake or Red Velvet Cake, I look forward to finishing my adventure with Baked Alaska.

Credit: Todd Coleman

Traditionally, Baked Alaska is a dessert consisting of ice cream sitting inside a coating of cake, meringue and other sweet ingredients. The entire dish is then placed in a very hot oven for a moment, but the ice cream remains cool and creamy due to the natural insulating effect of the meringue exterior. According to Wikipedia, “The name Baked Alaska was coined at Delmonico’s Restaurant by their chef-de-cuisine Charles Ranhofer in 1876 to honor the recently acquired American territory.” The New Orleans Ice Cream Company builds on this concept by starting with their own Vanilla Bean ice cream, adding crunchy meringue to act as the outer shell, a soft meringue swirl to impersonate the layer below that, and fresh strawberries with moist cake pieces to act as the filling.

As I pulled up on the silver rim, a large gob of the 250 calories per serving, super-premium ice cream clung to the lid even after removal. The ingredients inside are intertwined so tightly that the vanilla bean base has morphed into something completely different. The sweet, fluffy nature of the meringue components have provided their sugary taste and light texture, while the strawberries have added a fruity freshness to the vanilla bean ice cream. This results in an exceptional texture that’s only built upon when the rich, moist cake comes into play. Every mix-in seems to add a different texture and another element of sweetness.

Although I was afraid when I started uncovering the oversized hunks of strawberries, New Orleans Ice Cream Company is able to avoid the horrid feel usually derived from the frozen fruit. Just as they did in their Ponchatoula Strawberry, these add an authentic feel to Baked Alaska. Even one of my least favorite ice cream additions couldn’t hold this flavor back from the A it deserved. As my journey ended, it was hard not to look back over all the unique experiences I spooned my way through. New Orleans Ice Cream Company has created a line of flavors that should make the Crescent City proud. For any of you still on the fence about New Orleans Ice Cream Company, skeptical about ordering ice cream online, or are fortunate enough to live in an area where their flavors are locally available; make it a priority to try them all.

Where I Found It: Ice Cream Source
Grade: A

NEWS: Phin & Phebes Send Their New Flavors, Peanutty Pretzel and Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel

noreply@blogger.com (The Ice Cream Informant) — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Following the release of their two new flavors, Peanutty Pretzel and Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel, I was contacted by Phin & Phebes to see if I’d be interested in reviewing these and a few others. A couple days after graciously accepting their generous offer, the doorbell rang and I was greeted by a shipment from Brooklyn. My excitement built as I removed the lid and the dry ice fog cleared. They had not only included their most recent releases, but also Vanilla Cinnamon, Coconut Key Lime and Vietnamese Iced Coffee; all of which I had spotted at my local Earth Fare earlier in the week. Hopefully these can live up to the high expectations set by Banana Whama. Look out for my reviews of these incredible sounding selections soon!