5 Ice Creams You Can’t Miss
The next time you’re at the Co-op and the sweet tooth hits, swing by the Frozen section and check out the amazing selection of ice cream and treats. We’re introducing you to five frozen treats that you might not have tried before. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite! (pssst…it’s okay to have lots of favorites when it comes to ice cream.)
Alden’s Organic Swirled Vanilla Fudge Ice Cream Bars
Alden’s Organic is an Oregon-made organic ice cream company. Since 2004, they have been churning up their sweet confections free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavoring, GMOs, carrageenan, and antibiotics. Alden’s Organic sources all of their milk and cream used to make their ice cream from family-owned farms where cows enjoy fresh air, graze for a minimum of 120 days, and eat feed that is 100% organic. The end result is a super fresh, flavorful, ice cream that tastes like the flavor it's named for. So your strawberry ice cream tastes of…well…strawberries! The Vanilla Fudge Ice Cream Bars are an oh-so-decadent treat with perfect swirls of caramel and real fudge. The perfect ending to a summer dinner.
Talenti Gelato and Sorbetto
Talenti Gelato has an amazing origin story. Its founder was living and working in Buenos Aires where he fell in love with Argentine gelato. Inspired, he took an apprenticeship at an “heladería” (ice cream shop) where he learned the art of making gelato. He brought his talents back home to Dallas, TX, and opened up Talenti, named for Bernardo Buotalenti, who is credited with inventing gelato. What makes Talenti unique is its dedication to unique global flavors and sourcing high-quality ingredients. One example comes from their dulce de leche. They use a recipe from Argentina that has been passed down through generations. We have a big selection of Talenti meaning you’ll be able to try something new each time!
Oatly
The Swedish company, Oatly, has taken the food and beverage industry by storm in the last decade. Oatly produces alternatives to dairy products using oats. What makes Oatly unique amongst dairy alternatives is its texture and likeness to actual milk. It’s creamy and has a slight, pleasant grain or nuttiness taste to it. Nutritionally, Oatly outperforms milk by packing more protein and Vitamin D in a single serving than traditional dairy milk. It is also an excellent substitution in coffee drinks that include milk as it steams and froths very similar to dairy milk. While Oatly started out as simply a beverage company, their swift rise in popularity meant that they quickly expanded their offerings to include things like yogurt, coffee creamer, and now ice cream. Luckily, the Co-op carries several flavors of their new ice cream. This is great for those who are avoiding dairy in their diets, and even those who aren’t! It’s delicious. Give it a try!
My Mochi
My Mochi ice cream is a delicious combination of two desserts: mochi and ice cream! First, we’ll need to familiarize ourselves with Mochi. This Japanese dessert is made from short-grain glutinous rice that is pounded into a paste and mixed with water, sugar, and sometimes other flavorings. The end result is a pliable “dough” that can be molded into a variety of shapes. Mochi is traditionally eaten around New Year’s and other holidays in Japan. My Mochi took this sweet, elastic dough and combined it with ice cream! The result is small, poppable, bites that pack a powerful punch of flavor. The chewy texture combined with the creamy ice cream creates an irresistible little treat. The Co-op carries a variety of flavors including Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Double Chocolate, and Sweet Mango.
Diana’s Bananas (Rochester)
Okay, technically this is not “ice cream” but they are so good they had to make our list. Diana’s Bananas are premium chocolate-dipped frozen bananas. You’d think something so simple would be easy to make, but it’s not! Diana’s Bananas performed over 220 tests to get the perfect combination of banana, chocolate that wouldn’t crack, and the right stick. They’ve even sourced the best bananas from Ecuador. And they are always freshly frozen for optimum freshness and flavor. We love the Diana’s Bananas story too. It started out simply as a snack vendor at Chicago area street festivals. When banana fans would come back with coolers to stock up on the treat, they knew they were on to something. Bonus! Diana’s Bananas are also gluten-free.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (La Crosse)
Jeni wrote the book on ice cream. Literally! In 2011, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams founder Jeni Britton Bauer wrote a book about ice cream after experimenting with flavors for over fifteen years. The result was a James Beard award-winning publication and a whole slew of new, loyal fans. Fast forward to today when Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is a full-fledged brand delivering unique flavor combinations not found anywhere else. Jeni’s also prioritizes fresh ingredients sourced from the best producers. This includes milk from family-run dairies, fresh fruits and vegetables, and Fair and Direct Trade chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is also a Certified B Corporation and is known for its social, environmental, and business leadership. To know Jeni’s ice cream is to LOVE Jeni’s ice cream. Check out the wide assortment of flavors such as Lemon & Blueberries Parfait, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Sweet Cream Biscuits and Peach Jam, and Milkiest Chocolate.
BONUS!
What’s ice cream without toppings? We’ve rounded up our favorites:
Local honey. Whoever said something could be too sweet?
Sprinkles!! Okay, these simply make ice cream more fun to eat (if that’s possible)
Make it a cone for that extra special touch
Sprinkle granola over the top for a fun pop of texture and crunch
Chocolates! Head over to the bulk section to pick out some chocolate candies to sprinkle on your favorite bowl of ice cream.