Sweet Science - Grasshopper Pie

Grasshopper Pie - Green Mint Ice Cream with Clusters of Newman-O's and Marshmallow Fluff

As mentioned in a recent review, Sweet Science Ice Cream of Saint Paul made a few flavors specially available for National Ice Cream Day a week or so ago.  Two of the flavors were new to me, so I picked them up.  I reviewed the first flavor, Peach Cobbler, here and today's flavor is called Grasshopper Pie.  A grasshopper pie is a mint-chocolate cream pie which was likely introduced in the 1950s and was probably inspired by the mint-chocolate cocktail of the same name.  Long-time readers know that mint chocolate chip was my favorite ice cream flavor growing up, so I am always looking forward to flavors which combine those flavors.  Here, Newman-O clusters (organic imitation Oreos) deliver the chocolate into a peppermint base and there is some marshmallow fluff in the mix as well.  I have had the mint-chocolate-marshmallow combination once before with the Ben & Jerry's seasonal Minter Wonderland flavor, but that is a chocolate-mint flavor while this appears to be a mint-chocolate flavor, so they might not easily compare as chocolate-mint flavors have so much more chocolate.

On to today's pint!  Removing the lid, the peppermint base has a very light green color.  Peppermint is not naturally green, but grasshopper pies and cocktails usually are.  I checked the ingredient list and it appears that vegetable juice is used to create the color.  I can also see some of the Newman-O clusters and one large dollop of marshmallow fluff on top.  Digging in, the peppermint ice cream has a cool and refreshing flavor as expected.  The clusters of Newman-O's work quite well.  They deliver a bit of chocolate and a lot of crunch.  I like the variable sizes because it makes every spoonful a bit of a surprise.  Here, the Newman-O's act as both the chocolate source and the "pie crust".  The marshmallow fluff is found in dollop-sized pockets throughout the pint.  It adds some soft creaminess into the mix every few spoonfuls.

This is a fun and interesting flavor from Sweet Science.  As mentioned before, mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice cream flavor so I like any variations or twists that different brands try on that flavor combination and grasshopper pie is a new one for me.  The best part of the pint was the Newman-O clusters -- a great way to create a crunchier version of chocolate chips.  I still prefer Sweet Science's Vanilla Mint Fudge when I am feeling in the mood for mint and chocolate, but this flavor is fun for a twist.

Jeni's - Orange Blossom Chiffon

Orange Blossom Chiffon - Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt flavored with Orange and Tangerine 

Today is the second pint from my recent State Fair Collection shipment from the Ohio-based Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.  This flavor is called Orange Blossom Chiffon.  My own state fair has been cancelled due to the pandemic, so it is nice that I get state-fair-themed flavors delivered to my home instead.  A note to local readers that I ordered this online and I do not believe that this flavor is available in Minnesota grocery stores.  Like the previous flavor in the shipment, Watermelon Taffy, this flavor takes a bright fruity flavor associated with sorbets and sherbets and blends it into an ice cream with the help of buttermilk and yogurt.  Checking the ingredients, it looks like they neroli oil and tangerine oil to provide the orange flavor.  I double-checked the meeting of 'chiffon' and it's a light cake made with vegetable oil instead of butter or shortening where egg whites are beaten stiff to create the fluffiness of a sponge cake but with the richness of a butter cake.    So, I'm guessing this will be a lighter orange flavor?  Let's check it out.

Removing the lid and peeling back the label, the base ice cream is a lighter color orange than I expected.  It is really an off-white orange.  Digging in, the orange flavor is muted but quite delicious.  It tastes like a blend between the sherbet of an orange push-up and a sweet cream.  The 'chiffon' does mean that this is a lighter and airier flavor.  As with the previous watermelon flavor,  I do not specficially taste buttermilk and yogurt, but I imagine they are involved in balancing the orange oils to create something fruity and creamy at the same time.  Unlike the watermelon flavor, this is not a very tart pint.  This is sweet orange flavor.  There are no mix-ins.

I very much enjoyed this orange pint from Jeni's.  It's like a very light, airy version of an orange push-up.  It is solid and homogenous, not like the 'dreamsicle' sorbet-and-cream blends from local Pumphouse and Sweet Science brands.  The flavor in my archives it compares to the most is the Orange & Cream flavor from Graeter's.  I liked that flavor, but I like this Jeni's flavor a bit more.  If you are in the mood for a light orange ice cream, check out Orange Blossom Chiffon.

Sweet Science - Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler - Vanilla Ice Cream with a White Peach Balsam Vinegar Compote Swirl and Gluten-Free Streusel Pieces

Last week was National Ice Cream Day and Saint Paul's Sweet Science Ice Cream had a couple of flavors available which I have not tried yet, so I went down and picked them up.  The first of these flavors is called Peach Cobbler.  They have an instagram post about the flavor here.  It is not a brand-new flavor, but they have not made this flavor since 2015 which explains why I have not reviewed it yet.  It is a vanilla ice cream with a swirl of white-peach-balsamic-vinegar compote and gluten-free streusel pieces.  Looks interesting!

Removing the lid, I see a lot of mix-ins visible right away on top of the vanilla base.  There are a few sections of the peach compote visible as well any many crumbs of the streusel blended in.  Digging in, it's a very crumbly pint -- lots of texture from the streusel -- and there is some tasty peach compote in the mix as well.  The balsamic vinegar in the compote does not make the peach flavor tangy or sour, but it does deepen the flavor.  It is delicious, but it is more of the flavor of a spread that you would put on toast than the sweet peach of a pie filling.

This is an interesting and delicious peach cobbler flavor from Sweet Science.  Their instagram post linked above (and here) likens it to a peach version of their popular Berry Crumble flavor and I agree with that.  For straight peach, you may prefer a peach-only flavor like from Graeter's or Pumphouse, but this pint is all about the peach-and-crumble blend.  I think this compares well to the now-retired flavors from Talenti & Tillamook.  The Jeni's flavor is excellent, but it's not a direct comparison.  Jeni's has a sweeter peach and softer 'biscuit' mix-in, while this Sweet Science pint is more crunchy.

Jeni's - Watermelon Taffy

Watermelon Taffy - Watermelon Ice Cream

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream has new flavors for late summer!  They are calling it their State Fair Collection.  Five flavors.  All of them are new to me, but I believe four of the five might be brand new for Jeni's (Wildberry Lavender is a older flavor that I have not yet tried).  Because of the pandemic, this year's Minnesota State Fair has been cancelled, so pulled the trigger on an online shipment of this collection from Jeni's to help make up for not being able to go to the fair.  Additionally, I was able to add a sixth flavor to my shipment to fill out the box.  A note to local readers, this is an online shipment and I am not aware that any of these flavors are available in Minnesota grocery stores.  The first flavor in this shipment is called Watermelon Taffy.  This is a watermelon ice cream made with buttermilk and yogurt.  I have had a watermelon sorbet before from Graeter's but not a watermelon ice cream.  I look forward to checking this out.

The first thing I notice about the pint is the nice artwork on the carton.  They made the side of the pint look like the inside of a watermelon with its pink color and block dots for seeds.  Also the lid looks like the rind with its light and dark green stripes.  Well done.  Popping off the top, the extra seal under the lid has a clever phrase (see below) which I like.  Peeling back this seal, the base ice cream has a very light pink color.  It is lighter than I expected, it is almost off-white.  Digging in, it is quite tart!  The light color does not mean light flavor.  It tastes a lot like the watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher candy.  As I continue to eat, the flavor holds up as I continue to eat the rest of the pint.  Sometimes which a strong flavor, it either fades as my palate gets used to it or it becomes too overpowering.  It is like the beginning of every spoonful is tart, but there's a cool creamy finish in the mix as well.  I wonder if the buttermilk and yogurt in the mix help with that effect.  I don't specifically taste buttermilk, but it might help manage the strong flavor of the watermelon.

This is a very good watermelon ice cream from Jeni's.  It is on the tart side, so expect the sour flavor of those Jolly Rancher candies, but it's also creamy -- very well balanced like most Jeni's flavors.  If watermelon is your thing, check it out.

Bebe Zito - Gochujang Brownie

Gochujang Brownie - Chocolate Ice Cream with Brownies and Gochuhang Spice 

On my first trip the brand-new Bebe Zito scoop shop in the Wedge/Lowry Hill area of Minneapolis, I picked up three pints.  The first two pints are reviewed here and here.  This is the third pint and is called Gochujang Brownie.  It looks like an implementation of the classic chocolate fudge brownie flavor which is suped up with a Korean chili spice called gochujang.  Gochujang is a sweet fermented spice which is included in many popular Korean dishes such as bibimbap and bulgogi.  So, I know that it goes well in savory dishes, it will be interesting to see how well it tastes in a dessert.  Let's check it out.

Removing the lid, I see a big chunk of brownie right away on top against the chocolate base.  I also see quite a bit of red powder on top as well which must be the gochujang.  It looks beautiful.  A very good top-of-the-pint presentation here.  Digging in, the chocolate base is quite good.  I do notice a mild kick of spiciness from time to time, but nothing too strong.  I must warn other readers, though, I have a fairly high spice tolerance from living on the west coast for many years.  Since moving back home to Minnesota, I have not found anything which has a strong spice.  So, be prepared for the possibility that this could be quite spicy by Minnesota standards, I don't know.  As I eat my way further down, the brownies are quite excellent.  They are rich, chocolatey and remain soft and chewy even embedded into the ice cream. 

I liked this spicy chocolate fudge brownie from Bebe Zito very much.  I found the spices noticeable but mild, but it's possible that local folks not accustomed to spicy food might find this much hotter -- I'm not sure.  Still, the brownies here are amazing, so I would recommend this as one of the best chocolate fudge brownie pints that I have tried independent of how spicy it is.  This Bebe Zito scoop shop looks promising and I hope to return soon to try more flavors.

Pumphouse Creamery - Mocha with Almond Toffee

Mocha with Almond Toffee - Chocolate-Coffee Ice Cream with Chocolate-Covered Almond Toffee Pieces

Today's flavor comes from the Pumphouse Creamery.  This one is called Mocha with Almond Toffee.  I got it at the scoop shop in south Minneapolis.  This one has a mocha base (chocolate mixed with coffee) and has almond toffee mix-ins.  The coffee is from Ruby Roasters of Stevens Point, Wisconsin and the toffee comes from Mayana Chocolate of Spooner, Wisconsin. Looks interesting.

Cracking open the lid, I see that the mocha chocolate base as the expected brown color.  It is definitely not a dark chocolate, but mixing with coffee has not lightened the color much, either.  I try a spoonful and the base has a very nice chocolate flavor.  I do not immediate taste the coffee.  I check the ingredients and it looks like a decaf coffee is used.  That could explain the lack of bite.  It could also the coffee-chocolate blend here is weighted towards the chocolate side.  No complaints, just making observations.  It tastes quite good.  As I scoop further down, I start to encounter the almond toffee pieces.  These are chunks of variable size that have a solid texture but crumble into pieces quite easily when I bite into them.  They provide a little bit of almond flavor, but mainly provide some hard texture to bit into amidst all the creamy chocolate.

This is a decent pint from Pumphouse.  The mocha blend in the base is chocolate-heavy and the almond toffee pieces were rather fun.  It is worth trying out if you are in the mood for a chunky chocolate.

Bebe Zito - Mushroom Pecan

Mushroom Pecan - Mushroom Ice Cream with Salted Pecans

Today I move on to the second pint from the new scoop shop in Minneapolis called Bebe Zito.  See my earlier review for more information on the new scoop shop.  Today's flavor is called Mushroom Pecan.  I am psyched because I have not reviewed a flavor with mushrooms in it before.  This should be quite interesting.  Mushrooms are not plants or animals, but a type of fungus.  Not every mushroom is safe to eat, but many of them can be eaten.  The culinary use of mushrooms dates back thousands of years in both the Old World and the New World.  I checked the website and instagram to see if I could find out what kind of mushroom is used but I could not find anything.  I did find this cool article which discusses the store and many of the first pints which I took home with me on my first visit.  Salted pecans are the mix-in here.  Let's see how it tastes!

Removing the lid, the mushroom base has yellowish-beige color and there are small specks throughout.  Then I can see one of the large pecans right away on top as well.  Digging in, the mushroom base has a bit of a earthy flavor to it.  Sort of like molasses or brown sugar that is not too sweet.  The mushrooms are pretty well blended into the cream during the creation of the base ice cream -- there are no 'chunks' of mushroom in the mix.  Those specks are quite small and I only notice them with my eyes and not while eating them.  The pecans mix-ins are large, salted and quite delicious.  There is no coating other than the salt.  These are some of the best pecan mix-ins that I have had.  Very crunchy and flavorful.

This is a unique and interesting flavor from Bebe Zito.  I was expecting the mushroom flavor to be more exotic, but the mushroom flavor itself was fairly palatable and mild.  The salty pecans were actually the star of the pint.  So this is an interesting experiment but don't expect anything too intense.  Actually, I'd recommend this to people who like salty pecans just for those mix-ins alone.

Talenti - Alfonso Mango

Alfonso Mango - Alfonso Mango Sorbet with a hint of Lemon

Today I return to Talenti Gelato for one of their classic sorbet flavors, Alfonso Mango.  This is not one of their original flavors, but it came out relatively soon after in 2013.  Marked "recipe #22" meaning it is their 22nd released flavor.  It is a fruit sorbet -- which are dairy free by design.  I have written before that this flavor along with Roman Raspberry have very bright colors that stick out as you are walking past a freezer case which stocks them.  I bought it at Lunds & Byerly's in Saint Paul's Highland Park neighborhood.  Here, Alfonso describes the cultivar of mango used here, named for Alfonso de Albuquerque who was the Governor of Portuguese India in the early 1500s.  Indeed, the Talenti flavor page linked above describes the mangoes used here as coming from the Maharashtra region of India where the mango tree is listed as one of the regions symbols.  Mangoes are actually the national fruit of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.  This looks like a straightforward flavor.  Talenti mentions that there is a hint of lemon in the mix as well.  I have had mango in ice creams and sorbets a handful of times before.  Surprisingly nothing so simple as a mango sorbet before.  The closest was Milkjam Creamery which had a mango sorbet with a sticky rice mix-in.  I tried Häagen-Dazs mango ice cream flavor -- they do have a mango sorbet but I have not tried it yet.  Other brands have tried mixing mango with spices (Izzy's and Pumphouse) while Sweet Science included mango in a sorbet including multiple tropical fruits.  Let's check out Talenti's simple mango sorbet!

After unscrewing the lid, the sorbet is indeed bright orange.  The first spoonful does indeed have a lot of delicious mango flavor.  Since mango puree can be a bit pulpy, the texture of this sorbet is not as icy as some other fruity sorbets which rely mainly on fruit juice for delivering flavor.  This gives it a smooth and almost creamy texture which I like.  This is a homogeneous pint with no mix-ins.  The mango flavor remains delicious as I continue eating and I have no problems finishing the pint in one sitting.  The twist of lemon blends in very well.

This is a very delicious pint of mango sorbet from Talenti.  Not too much else to say about this simple implementation.  The texture is soft for a sorbet, the flavor is bright and tasty.  If you are in the mood for a tropical sorbet on a hot summer day (or if it's off-season and you want to pretend you are on vacation in the tropics), you can't go wrong here.

Pumphouse Creamery - Local Honeyberry & Raspberry Crisp

Local Honeyberry & Raspberry Crisp - Sweet Cream with a Honeyberry & Raspberry Jam and Crisp

Last week, I returned to Pumphouse Creamery for the first time since the start of the pandemic and I picked up a couple of pints.  The first flavor is called Local Honeyberry & Raspberry Crisp.  There are a couple of instagram posts about it (here and here) which contain details about it.  I guess it is an enhancement of their Black Raspberry Crisp flavor, which I really enjoyed!  The main difference is that the raspberry jam is now a honeyberry and raspberry jam, but also it looks like there is no vanilla in the base this time (it is just sweet cream) and the crisp contains some wheat flour where my notes are telling me that it was previously an oat crisp.

I must admit that I had not heard of honeyberries before trying this ice cream.  It is the fruit of a particular type of honeysuckle -- sometimes referred to as 'haskap' -- which is native to cool climates in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is hardy enough to survive Minnesota winters, so it can grow locally.  It is not closely related to the common edible berries found in grocery stores (blueberries, caneberries, strawberries, etc).  The closest relative that I recognized is the snowberry, and a little more distantly related to the elderberry.  What do they taste like?  I found a couple of articles discussing their use in food (here and here) and the consensus seems to be that their flavor resembles blueberries at first, but then notes of raspberries and other flavors start kicking in.  Also, whether they are sweet or tart can vary depending on the cultivar and its ripeness.  Without further ado, let's dive in!

Removing the lid, the honeyberry jam looks beautiful.  It has a deep burgundy color which looks very strong.  It almost looks like a dye.  Digging in, the berry flavor is delicious.  It is a honeyberry/black-raspberry blend, so I do taste raspberry first, but I can tell it is a more complex flavor.  It is quite delicious.  Then as I eat further down, the berry swirls are not as thick as they are on the top of the pint, but a little bit of berry in the sweet cream base goes a long way.  Plus, I encounter quite a bit of the 'crisp' which is made partly from wheat flour this time.  I don't have gluten issues so I don't mind.  This crisp is excellent and delicious.  It provides a crunchy texture to most spoonfuls which goes very well with the berries. 

This is an excellent pint of ice cream.  Pumphouse took one of my favorite of their flavors, Black Raspberry Crisp, and they made it more interesting by blending honeyberries into the mix.  It's a great way to try out honeyberries if you have never tried them before, but it is still comfortably black-raspberry-esque for those who loved the previous flavor.  Check it out!

Bebe Zito - Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club - Cereal Ice Cream made with Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles

Today, I try the new scoop shop in the Lowry Hill/Wedge neighborhood called Bebe Zito.  There has been some buzz about this place for a while.  It was supposed to open in the spring about when the snow melted but that was delayed due to the pandemic.  They finally opened at the beginning of this month.  It's on 22nd Street just west of Lyndale.  I popped in, bought three pints and popped back out.  I will be reviewing those flavors in the next week or two.

Bebe Zito is owned by chef Ben Spangler and his finacee Gabriella Grant.  Spangler has held a number of local culinary positions in recent years, including executive chef at the Farm Table Restaurant in Amery, Wisconsin, the executive chef at the Mercy Bar & Dining Room in downtown Minneapolis and he helped develop the initial ice cream menu at Milkjam Creamery.  I found a couple of interesting news releases about Bebe Zito here and here.  It should be fun to visit this scoop shop from time to time to sample interesting flavors and their location halfway between Milkjam Creamery and the Sebastian Joe's in Lowry Hill should make it easy for me to pick up pints from multiple places in one trip.

Today's flavor is called Breakfast Club.  It is a cereal-based ice cream made with Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles.  I have had a few cereal-based flavors before.  Three from Milkjam Creamery (here and here and here), one from Coolhaus (here) and one from Ample Hills (here).  I wonder if Ben Spangler had anything to do with any of the Milkjam flavors.

On to today's flavor!  The first thing I notice is there is no artwork on the side of the carton.  Beautiful artwok on the lid, but not on the carton.  That messes with my usual photo spread, ha ha.  Not a big deal.  Removing the lid, the top of the pint is beautiful!  It's loaded with recognizable cereal on the top.  I definitely see the marshmallow shapes from the Lucky Charms and the small colored flakes of Fruity Pebbles.  Digging in, the cereal on the top is extra crunchy and delicious.  The density of the cereal in the ice cream below is still pretty good.  The fruity pebbles are a little bit softer as they soak in the milk-and-cream mixture during the churning process, but the marshmallows are just as good as the ones on top.  The base ice cream is good.  I found an article here which tells me that the base is 'citrus and vanilla'.  It has a good texture, but it's main purpose here is to serve as a vehicle for the mix-ins.  In fact, if I hadn't read about the citrus in the mix, I would not have known.  I think it blends well with the Fruity Pebbles.  Overall, the pint is a little bit on the sweet side, but it is not overpowering and I am

I enjoyed this pint from Bebe Zito quite a bit.  Some of the cereal underneath is a little soft but from all the cereal-ice creams I have tried, that is unavoidable for mix-ins added during the churning process.  Using the marshmallow-based Lucky Charms helps in that regard and also a generous sprinkling of dry mix-ins on the top also worked really well.  It is interesting to compare this to Cereal Killers -- the Milkjam flavor which was also developed by Ben Spangler.  Both contain citrus in the base and fruity pebbles, but this Breakfast Club flavor has much less citrus (just a smidge) and much more cereal while Cereal Killers uses an orange-coriander base with a moderate amount of fruity pebbles.  Breakfast Club is a good flavor for cereal lovers, and a good flavor for kids, too.  Check it out.

Sebastian Joe's - Mint Milano

Mint Milano - Mint Ice Cream with Milano Cookies

Today I return to Sebastian Joe's for their Mint Milano flavor.  I got this at the scoop shop in Lowry Hill.  This is an interesting flavor.  Mint-chocolate flavors are everywhere and mint-cookie flavors are not uncommon, but it is usually mint-Oreo (or imitation Oreo).  Here, the cookie used is the Milano cookie from Pepperidge Farm.  A Milano is also a 'sandwich' cookie, but with chocolate in the middle and biscuit-style cookies on the outside.  Let's see how this interesting combination works out.

Removing the lid, the mint base is a bright white color.  I can see lots of green flecks within the mint base.  This appears to be a mint made with mint leaves as opposed to just an oil or extract.  I can see one of the Milano cookies (almost whole) underneath the surface.  There are also little flakes of chocolate floating around which have escaped from the cookies.  Digging in, the leafy mint produces an interesting flavor.  It also tastes like spearmint but since I don't have an ingredient list I cannot confirm that.  At any rate, it is different from the usual mint flavor.  I encounter the cookies next.  Some pieces are large like the one I saw near the top of the pint, but some are smaller.  There is some chocolate, but the predominant flavor is actually the outer biscuits.

This is an interesting an eclectic mint-chocolate combination from Sebastian Joe's.  Although I applaud the uniqueness and creativity of using spearmint-like leafy mint instead of regular mint and the use of Milano cookies with their biscuit outsides and chocolate insides, I did not like this as much as the usual mint-chocolate combinations.  I found myself wanting the mint to be a little more potent and the cookies to be more chocolatey.  So, this is a fun try for me, but on future visits I'll be on the lookout for a more standard mint-chocolate combination.

Talenti - Coffee Chocolate Chip

Coffee Chocolate Chip - Coffee Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips

Today's flavor comes from Talenti Gelato and is called Coffee Chocolate Chip.    Talenti puts "recipe numbers" on the sides of their pints and this is recipe #7, so this was one of their original line of flavors back in 2012.  I bought this locally at Lund's, but I'm sure you can find it at most local grocery stores that carry Talenti.  It looks like a simple coffee-and-chocolate flavor.  I have written before that this is a proven flavor combination perhaps because coffee and chocolate each contain a very similar stimulant (caffeine in coffee and theobromine in chocolate).  I've seen this combination in one of Talenti's layered pints here, let's see how it works in its simplest formulation.

Unscrewing the distinctive Talenti lid, the coffee gelato has a typical burnt beige color to it.  I can see some of the chips already on the top as well.  Digging in, the coffee flavor is quite good.  It has more of a kick to it than I expected and it has a good 'roasted' coffee flavor to it as well.  It has that easy-to-scoop gelato texture as well.  The chocolate chips are dispersed generously throughout the pint.  They are small, flaky and crunchy and they do provide a lot of good chocolate flavor which goes well with the coffee.

I really liked this flavor.  It is so simple -- just coffee and chocolate chip -- but it is surprisingly well done.  The coffee flavor has a good kick and the chocolate is delicious.  This reminds me of their Mediterranean Mint flavor in that it is simple and very well done version of a classic flavor combination.