If you think ice cream is just a summer thing, definitely reconsider. You are missing out.
There are many reasons to eat ice cream year-round (how does tasting vanilla and chocolate in front of the fireplace sound like?), and there are many people who indulge in a little spoonful of shivering flavors all year. And although most people don’t really mind eating ice cream during the colder season, and we’re not talking Florida cold here, what some people do mind is ice cream that doesn’t taste good and unhealthy ice cream.
Now, people have different ideas about healthy ice cream. To some people, it’s all about calories and fat, so they make an effort (and what an effort that must be!) to stay away from gelato, the Italian-style ice cream made with a whole lot of dairies, particularly cream that contains calories adding up to dozens.
To others, it’s about skipping dairies altogether and eating only dairy-free ice cream made with rice or coconut milk, which nutritionally speaking they do make great substitutes. Taste wise? That’s for you to decide.
What seems to fancy food-savvy shoppers off all kinds these days is organic ice cream, normally considered superior to conventional ice cream because of the fine ingredients particularly. If this is you too, then here are three organic brands to help you beat the heat this summer and satisfy your cravings all year round.
Oregon-based Julie’s Organic Ice Cream
What’s to love about Julie’s?! Make that ‘What’s not to love about Julie’s!’
Not only is Julie’s ice cream GMO and every other chemical-free, but it’s also sweet and creamy. To add to the list of star-worthy assets, the brand also produces sorbets and frozen yogurt, which everyone knows is the healthiest of frozen delights. Oh, and it also has 100% gluten-free desserts.
Julie’s is an USDA certified organic brand, which means several things among which is the fact that they operate organic farming. You can find Julie’s ice cream at supermarkets across the States at retailers like Costco, New Seasons and Whole Foods.
To try: Julie’s Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich
Luna & Larry’s Organic Coconut Bliss
This brand’s name points to two things. 1 – They are obviously organic. 2 – They are completely dairy-free.
All Luna & Larry ice cream is made with coconut milk and the good thing is that everything about this ice cream relates to traditional ice cream: it’s soft, it’s rich in flavor, and it’s very creamy too, which you wouldn’t normally expect from a non-dairy product. But their ice cream really delivers.
One thing to remember though is the coconut. If you have an aversion to coconut – some people do, even kids – you probably won’t enjoy this brand very much.
To try: Luna & Larry Organic Salted Caramel & Chocolate
Northern California-based Strauss Family Creamery
You got, got, got to love ice cream made on a farm. Delivered straight from the source and 100% organic, the Strauss ice cream keeps the business going despite the ups and downs in organic products sales.
They are an ice cream maker that relies on organic farming to produce other products too like yogurt, butter, and milk. But people’s favorite is the ice cream and the frozen yogurt. Both creamy and homemade like, the available flavors are Vanilla Bean, Dark Chocolate, Caramel Toffee, Raspberry and Lemon Gingersnap among what’s most shopped.
A word of caution: Only try Strauss if you never want to go back to another producer.
To try: Strauss Family Creamery Brown Sugar Banana