The Island of lost flavors
February 12, 2013 8:36 AM Subscribe
The flavor graveyard just makes me angry at all the good flavors we've lost.
posted by maryr at 8:41 AM on February 12, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by maryr at 8:41 AM on February 12, 2013 [11 favorites]
Ben and Jerry's graveyard of discontinued flavors
posted by Chocolate Pickle
Heh.
Also, Ben and Jerry's has had a lot of horrible sounding flavors of which I was not aware. I do like that some of the epitaphs explain maybe why they were discontinued.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:42 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by Chocolate Pickle
Heh.
Also, Ben and Jerry's has had a lot of horrible sounding flavors of which I was not aware. I do like that some of the epitaphs explain maybe why they were discontinued.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:42 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
I'm pretty sure Chunky Monkey is still around. I'm also pretty sure I saw Rainforest Crunch's tombstone when I actually visited the flavor graveyard a couple summers ago. I miss that one.
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:43 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dlugoczaj at 8:43 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Cool Britannia was my favorite in college,
Got in A in ice cream, and an F in Knowledge.
posted by mochapickle at 8:46 AM on February 12, 2013 [11 favorites]
Got in A in ice cream, and an F in Knowledge.
posted by mochapickle at 8:46 AM on February 12, 2013 [11 favorites]
No Schweddy Balls?
posted by orme at 8:46 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by orme at 8:46 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
Then I guess grocery stores I have visited are not lucky enough to get Chunky Monkey. BOOOOOO.
posted by Kitteh at 8:47 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Kitteh at 8:47 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Chocolate Pickle
posted by mochapickle
wtf is happening
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2013 [56 favorites]
posted by mochapickle
wtf is happening
posted by SmileyChewtrain at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2013 [56 favorites]
Bovinity Divinity was my favorite. The those fudge cows were so delicious I wish they were sold without the ice cream.
posted by MaritaCov at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by MaritaCov at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Rainforest Crunch's tombstone is pictured in Ben and Jerry's own online flavor graveyard (which is mentioned at the bottom of the linked article).
posted by Curious Artificer at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Curious Artificer at 8:48 AM on February 12, 2013
RIP Cool Brittania.
posted by ColdChef at 8:49 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by ColdChef at 8:49 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
I know Chunky Monkey is still around because it's often the only gluten-free Ben and Jerry's flavor at my local supermarket. :(
One that I really miss that didn't make it to this post was the Berry, Berry [something] sorbet. It had swirls of different kinds of berry sorbet plus lemon. So good! But I haven't seen it in years, so I gotta think it's been discontinued.
Also, I miss White Russian. That was a great flavor, and alcoholic too! Coffee Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz is also missed.
posted by lunasol at 8:49 AM on February 12, 2013
One that I really miss that didn't make it to this post was the Berry, Berry [something] sorbet. It had swirls of different kinds of berry sorbet plus lemon. So good! But I haven't seen it in years, so I gotta think it's been discontinued.
Also, I miss White Russian. That was a great flavor, and alcoholic too! Coffee Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz is also missed.
posted by lunasol at 8:49 AM on February 12, 2013
I found this in the mausoleum:
posted by Karmakaze at 8:49 AM on February 12, 2013
Rainforest Crunch - A joy-inducing jungle of vanilla ice cream with untamed chunks of cashew and brazil nut buttercrunch. Though it was a flavor all went nuts exploring, it could not be saved by such adoring.
Speaking of ice cream graveyards, anyone remember Steve's in Ann Arbor?
posted by Currer Belfry at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Currer Belfry at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
Back in the Ancient Era of the Internet, there was an online graveyard of retired B&J flavors, but I didn't realize they'd turned it into a real thing.
Also, the loss of Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz is a crime against humanity.
posted by briank at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
Also, the loss of Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz is a crime against humanity.
posted by briank at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
The Walgreens around here have Chunky Monkey.
I really liked Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz. Now I know why I haven't seen it for so long. :(
posted by Malor at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2013
I really liked Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz. Now I know why I haven't seen it for so long. :(
posted by Malor at 8:50 AM on February 12, 2013
Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz is still around, but it's a 'Scoop-Shop Only' flavor. Now I have to find a Scoop Shop
posted by pupdog at 8:52 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by pupdog at 8:52 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Chocolate Pickle
posted by mochapickle
wtf is happening
And yet, neither of us are sockpuppets. Or B&J flavors. We simply unite in chocolatey, briny solidarity.
posted by mochapickle at 8:53 AM on February 12, 2013 [13 favorites]
I will never forgive them for discontinuing Cool Britannia.
Both Ben and Jerry are dead to me.
posted by shecky57 at 8:53 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Both Ben and Jerry are dead to me.
posted by shecky57 at 8:53 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Why do you need any flavor other than Chubby Hubby?
posted by cjorgensen at 8:56 AM on February 12, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by cjorgensen at 8:56 AM on February 12, 2013 [7 favorites]
Wait, I get CoffeeCoffeeBuzzBuzzBuzz 50% of the time when I go to Ben & Jerry's. (The other half I get NY Super Fudge Chunk.) I really don't think they can call that discontinued in any normal sense of the word.
I loved Rainforest Chunk, though. And I can't believe they had a pear flavoured ice cream that I never knew about.
posted by jeather at 8:56 AM on February 12, 2013
I loved Rainforest Chunk, though. And I can't believe they had a pear flavoured ice cream that I never knew about.
posted by jeather at 8:56 AM on February 12, 2013
They could always bring some of these back, right? They could just stick "Zombie" in front of the old name and it would be that much cooler.
posted by Longtime Listener at 8:57 AM on February 12, 2013 [15 favorites]
posted by Longtime Listener at 8:57 AM on February 12, 2013 [15 favorites]
I don't remember exactly when I last had Ben & Jerry's (it's been a looong time, since I'm lactose intolerant), but I'm pretty sure it was Holy Cannoli. RIP.
posted by me3dia at 9:03 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by me3dia at 9:03 AM on February 12, 2013
My favorite was Wavy Gravy. Terrible name for ice cream, but man was it good.
posted by leahwrenn at 9:03 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by leahwrenn at 9:03 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
There was a cannoli ice cream and people didn't eat it all the time??
posted by threeants at 9:06 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by threeants at 9:06 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
I went to Ben and Jerry's several years ago and totally missed this. Was it around back in 2001 or so? Anyway this post is making me want to go out and get some Ben and Jerry's; some of every flavor I can find in case they retire something great before I get a chance to try it.
posted by TedW at 9:06 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by TedW at 9:06 AM on February 12, 2013
A concoction so to-die-for
We were forever in its debt
As the liquor kicked the budget
We finally just had to say nyet
I feel like this is the best explanation for why so many of my favorite B&J's flavors were retired. Delicious, quality ingredients like nuts, coconut and liquors that are somehow too expensive to mix into that $4 pint of ice cream. Instead, the new flavors seem to be an incessant parade of cheaper and familiar ingredients rotated into new combinations. Which is why B&J's isn't very exciting for me anymore. :(
posted by weeyin at 9:06 AM on February 12, 2013 [7 favorites]
We were forever in its debt
As the liquor kicked the budget
We finally just had to say nyet
I feel like this is the best explanation for why so many of my favorite B&J's flavors were retired. Delicious, quality ingredients like nuts, coconut and liquors that are somehow too expensive to mix into that $4 pint of ice cream. Instead, the new flavors seem to be an incessant parade of cheaper and familiar ingredients rotated into new combinations. Which is why B&J's isn't very exciting for me anymore. :(
posted by weeyin at 9:06 AM on February 12, 2013 [7 favorites]
I really love the epitaph for Fresh Georgia Peach:
Fresh-picked peachesposted by six-or-six-thirty at 9:08 AM on February 12, 2013 [5 favorites]
trucked from Georgia
Tasted great but couldn't last
'Cause Georgia's quite a-ways away
& trucks don't go that fast.
*leaves a wreath of roses on the grave of Cool Britannia*
*and a votive candle on the grave of Doonesberry Sorbet*
posted by chowflap at 9:08 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
*and a votive candle on the grave of Doonesberry Sorbet*
posted by chowflap at 9:08 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
Big list of B&J's discontinued flavors. Not complete, however. Missing are R-rated varieties including aforementioned Schweddy Balls as well as Clusterfluff (which was renamed What a Cluster, still extant).
posted by beagle at 9:09 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by beagle at 9:09 AM on February 12, 2013
I wonder how many flavors were changed or discontinued after the purchase by Unilever.
posted by infinitewindow at 9:15 AM on February 12, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by infinitewindow at 9:15 AM on February 12, 2013 [6 favorites]
Instead of tombstones, how about posting recipes for all those discontinued flavors, hmmn? Wouldn't that be nice?
those bastards took my bovine divinity away never forgive never forget
posted by KHAAAN! at 9:16 AM on February 12, 2013
those bastards took my bovine divinity away never forgive never forget
posted by KHAAAN! at 9:16 AM on February 12, 2013
Are these discontinued everywhere or just in the US? I could swear I had seen Coffee coffee buzz etc in France last summer.
posted by biffa at 9:18 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by biffa at 9:18 AM on February 12, 2013
A few of the discontinued flavours are in their recipe book. I may eventually make some of them, although some of the ingredients are hard to find in the UK.
posted by pipeski at 9:21 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by pipeski at 9:21 AM on February 12, 2013
Back in the Ancient Era of the Internet, there was an online graveyard of retired B&J flavors, but I didn't realize they'd turned it into a real thing.
I've seen the online graveyard - and "this is a real thing?" was my reaction too. Well, that and "holy shit, they discontinued Dastardly Mash?"
I wonder about whether they've thought to try bringing White Russian back as a sort of "Big Leboswki" tie-in.
Instead of tombstones, how about posting recipes for all those discontinued flavors, hmmn? Wouldn't that be nice?
Some of them might be in here. I have a copy and I know I've seen Georgia Peach and Dastardly Mash.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:21 AM on February 12, 2013
I've seen the online graveyard - and "this is a real thing?" was my reaction too. Well, that and "holy shit, they discontinued Dastardly Mash?"
I wonder about whether they've thought to try bringing White Russian back as a sort of "Big Leboswki" tie-in.
Instead of tombstones, how about posting recipes for all those discontinued flavors, hmmn? Wouldn't that be nice?
Some of them might be in here. I have a copy and I know I've seen Georgia Peach and Dastardly Mash.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:21 AM on February 12, 2013
Festivus. Ummm.
posted by bongo_x at 9:32 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bongo_x at 9:32 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
I was massively disappointed by a quiz on Sporcle that suggested the possibility of an Enter the Moo-Tang (36 Fix-ins) Ben and Jerry's flavor before crushing my dreams and I want to let it be known that if they do end up actually making it, I will horde the shit out of that ice cream.
posted by Copronymus at 9:32 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Copronymus at 9:32 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
ohthankgod chubby hubby isn't in there
posted by photoslob at 9:33 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by photoslob at 9:33 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Dastardly Mash and Cool Britannia were really good flavors. RIP. Again.
posted by xingcat at 9:38 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by xingcat at 9:38 AM on February 12, 2013
I feel as though I have definitely bought Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz in a supermarket since 1999. Pretty sure that's true of White Russian too. Not sure I've seen either lately, but definitely since 1999.
posted by gerryblog at 9:38 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by gerryblog at 9:38 AM on February 12, 2013
The scoop shop in Burlington (where Penny Cluse Cafe is now--Ben and Jerry's moved in the early 90s, I'll say, and even this waypoint was not the original spot for the shop) used to have all the old placards hung up together in one spot, downstairs by the Holstein-painted piano.
I still miss White Russian.
posted by Earthtopus at 9:40 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
I still miss White Russian.
posted by Earthtopus at 9:40 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
There was a cannoli ice cream and people didn't eat it all the time??
I saw and purchased a carton of B&J cannoli ice cream from my local (Brooklyn) bodega just a few weeks ago. I think it was a "limited edition," and I haven't seen it since. I also saw a "Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Snack" flavor that had chocolate covered potato chips in it that I haven't seen since and I now regret not buying.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 9:43 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I saw and purchased a carton of B&J cannoli ice cream from my local (Brooklyn) bodega just a few weeks ago. I think it was a "limited edition," and I haven't seen it since. I also saw a "Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Snack" flavor that had chocolate covered potato chips in it that I haven't seen since and I now regret not buying.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 9:43 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I miss Gingersnap. In 2009 I bought out a few corner stores of their stock. I had to explain the meaning of the term "Limited Batch" to the counter person a few times. Also I definitely just saw Cannoli at the store like 15 minutes ago.
posted by wikipedia brown boy detective at 9:48 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by wikipedia brown boy detective at 9:48 AM on February 12, 2013
Pouring out a 40 for White Russian. Another for Mission to Marzipan.
ultraviolet catastrophe, they TOTALLY still make Late Night Snack.
posted by clavicle at 9:51 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
ultraviolet catastrophe, they TOTALLY still make Late Night Snack.
posted by clavicle at 9:51 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Cool, yeah I just looked at the website and it looks like Late Night Snack is going to be around for a while. I think the problem is more that the bodega only gets whatever flavors the distributor happens to drop off when they do a shipment.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 9:54 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 9:54 AM on February 12, 2013
The stores just weren't ready
For balls that were Schweddy
posted by zippy at 9:54 AM on February 12, 2013
For balls that were Schweddy
posted by zippy at 9:54 AM on February 12, 2013
Dave Matthews Band Magic Brownies was the greatest flavor of food that isn't New Mexican food.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:56 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by dirigibleman at 9:56 AM on February 12, 2013
Top Ten Least Loved Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavors. From 1989!
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:58 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:58 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Cherry Garcia is gone, too, but I imagine they couldn't come up with a cute doggerel for that one.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:59 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:59 AM on February 12, 2013
No, they still have Cherry Garcia! In both ice cream and frozen yogurt varieties.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:01 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:01 AM on February 12, 2013
If you read the ingredients on the B&J carton, it's the same crap that's in Breyer's et al with a jacked up price. Which is why I prefer Haagen-Dazs
posted by AnnElk at 10:03 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by AnnElk at 10:03 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
A . for From Russia With Buzz.
A . for Honey, I'm Home.
A . for Totally Nuts.
Evidently White Russian's booze was unbudgetable, which is just a damn shame. I acknowledge that the above three flavors don't have widespread appeal, but White Russian was just sublime.
posted by Mizu at 10:04 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
A . for Honey, I'm Home.
A . for Totally Nuts.
Evidently White Russian's booze was unbudgetable, which is just a damn shame. I acknowledge that the above three flavors don't have widespread appeal, but White Russian was just sublime.
posted by Mizu at 10:04 AM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
What would happen if we knocked down the graveyard and desecrated it, and we built a large luxury hotel on top of the site for the summer months?
You-Didn't-Move-the-Bodies-Cherry-Fudge-Ripple?
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:05 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
You-Didn't-Move-the-Bodies-Cherry-Fudge-Ripple?
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:05 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've been there. RIP, lost flavors!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:06 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:06 AM on February 12, 2013
I think the secret if chunky monkey is the banana ice cream. Banana ice cream; no power in the 'verse can stop its awesomeness
posted by angrycat at 10:07 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by angrycat at 10:07 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
AnnElk: "If you read the ingredients on the B&J carton, it's the same crap that's in Breyer's et al with a jacked up price..."
That's because Ben & Jerry's sold out to Unilever in 2000.
posted by Karmakaze at 10:07 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's because Ben & Jerry's sold out to Unilever in 2000.
posted by Karmakaze at 10:07 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am glad to know that I wasn't the only one who loved Cool Britannia. However, I know I just saw a new Cannoli flavor in the store within the last month--Take the Cannoli, I think it is. Also, I miss the White Russian and cannot believe I'd forgotten about it.
Now I'm curious if there's a graveyard of discontinued Trader Joe's products, as I still miss these little calzones that have been gone for years.
While I'm at it, Peet's Sierra Dorada came back briefly this last year and I regret not buying a case of the stuff. My favorite blend they made, by far, but I guess I was the only one who liked it.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:09 AM on February 12, 2013
Now I'm curious if there's a graveyard of discontinued Trader Joe's products, as I still miss these little calzones that have been gone for years.
While I'm at it, Peet's Sierra Dorada came back briefly this last year and I regret not buying a case of the stuff. My favorite blend they made, by far, but I guess I was the only one who liked it.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 10:09 AM on February 12, 2013
If you read the ingredients on the B&J carton, it's the same crap that's in Breyer's et al with a jacked up price. Which is why I prefer Haagen-Dazs
The really sad thing is that Breyer's isn't the same stuff that I'm used to finding in Breyer's. I have fond memories of the ingredients list of "Milk, cream, sugar, vanilla" and now every carton is labeled "Frozen Dairy Dessert Product."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:11 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
The really sad thing is that Breyer's isn't the same stuff that I'm used to finding in Breyer's. I have fond memories of the ingredients list of "Milk, cream, sugar, vanilla" and now every carton is labeled "Frozen Dairy Dessert Product."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:11 AM on February 12, 2013 [4 favorites]
Yeah, last time I had Breyers you could actually taste tiny water ice crystals in it; a sure sign that they'd cut the ratio of cream way down. "Last time" in the sense of "I never bought it again after that."
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:12 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:12 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
In the contact section you can totally vote to resurrect a flavor! I have been pleading for Monkey Wrench to return to this sweet earth for the better part of a decade....
posted by troublewithwolves at 10:13 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by troublewithwolves at 10:13 AM on February 12, 2013
Sugar Plum. Gone, but not forgotten.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:13 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:13 AM on February 12, 2013
The grocery store near my mom's house used to sell (and maybe still does, I should check) factory seconds from Ben and Jerry's. So cheap, and we never had a bad one.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:17 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:17 AM on February 12, 2013
The corpse in the library: "factory seconds from Ben and Jerry's. So"
Irregular ice cream? Like, would you get a pint that was all pecans, or those little fudge cows? How did that work?
posted by boo_radley at 10:20 AM on February 12, 2013
Irregular ice cream? Like, would you get a pint that was all pecans, or those little fudge cows? How did that work?
posted by boo_radley at 10:20 AM on February 12, 2013
Yes. Exactly. Oh no, there are too many cookies in this ice cream, how we suffer.
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:25 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:25 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Irregular ice cream? Like, would you get a pint that was all pecans, or those little fudge cows? How did that work?
Maybe a whole batch of mismatched cartons and lids. It's like Ice Cream Roulette!
posted by pupdog at 10:25 AM on February 12, 2013
Maybe a whole batch of mismatched cartons and lids. It's like Ice Cream Roulette!
posted by pupdog at 10:25 AM on February 12, 2013
(That "yes" was to boo_radley, not to Greg Nog. At least, the ice cream I had was all spectacles-free. I can't speak to every container.)
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:26 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by The corpse in the library at 10:26 AM on February 12, 2013
How about Corridors Overflowing with Surging Blood Strawberry Surprise?
Ah, so more of an "Overlook Ma! No Pecans!" kind of thing.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:27 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Ah, so more of an "Overlook Ma! No Pecans!" kind of thing.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:27 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bwithh: "How about Corridors Overflowing with Surging Blood Strawberry Surprise?"
With a red rum swirl, surely.
posted by boo_radley at 10:31 AM on February 12, 2013 [6 favorites]
With a red rum swirl, surely.
posted by boo_radley at 10:31 AM on February 12, 2013 [6 favorites]
I think the secret if chunky monkey is the banana ice cream.
It's actually the fine monkey shavings that go into each pint. They add that tang.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:35 AM on February 12, 2013
It's actually the fine monkey shavings that go into each pint. They add that tang.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:35 AM on February 12, 2013
I came in thinking of lamenting my love of Cool Britannia...and am over joyed that I wasnt alone.
posted by ShawnString at 10:37 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by ShawnString at 10:37 AM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Things like this is why I always try "limited edition" foodstuffs. Granted, I consume lots of duds, but time and again something wonderful comes by.
posted by Harald74 at 10:45 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Harald74 at 10:45 AM on February 12, 2013
Bovinity Divinity was my favorite. The those fudge cows were so delicious I wish they were sold without the ice cream.
If I remember correctly, someone once brought in just the chocolate cows (or maybe they were the fish from Phish Food?) to a class party in high school. Their dad was in management in Waterbury. If you worked at the factory you got something like two pints a week of free ice cream, something that our classmate assured us was not as exciting as it sounded. I think B&J actually put some work into engineering the right chocolate for the cows/fish to make them soft enough to not hurt your teeth when frozen, but not liquid at room temperature.
posted by maryr at 10:45 AM on February 12, 2013
If I remember correctly, someone once brought in just the chocolate cows (or maybe they were the fish from Phish Food?) to a class party in high school. Their dad was in management in Waterbury. If you worked at the factory you got something like two pints a week of free ice cream, something that our classmate assured us was not as exciting as it sounded. I think B&J actually put some work into engineering the right chocolate for the cows/fish to make them soft enough to not hurt your teeth when frozen, but not liquid at room temperature.
posted by maryr at 10:45 AM on February 12, 2013
RIP Reverse Chocolate Chunk (chocolate ice cream with white chocolate chunks). Sounds simple enough; I've tried to re-create it at one of those places where they mix stuff in right in front of you, but the conventional-size white chocolate chips they use don't measure up (heh) to Ben & Jerry's chunks of white chocolate.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 10:52 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 10:52 AM on February 12, 2013
AnnElk: "Which is why I prefer Haagen-Dazs"Flavour-wise I'm fairly "meh" on Häagen-Dazs, but ever since I found out their name is supposed to be a tribute to Denmark I've tried to avoid eating it. I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a name that sounds less Danish.
posted by brokkr at 10:53 AM on February 12, 2013
Not sure if this is still the case in the Unilever Era, but B&J employees used to get three (3) pints A DAY for free as a perk. Three. A day.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:55 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Rock Steady at 10:55 AM on February 12, 2013
Rock Steady, I remembered it being something unwieldy, but even two pints a week sounded like it would pile up.
posted by maryr at 11:02 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by maryr at 11:02 AM on February 12, 2013
The Ben & Jerry's product I miss the most is the Brownie Bar - it was like an ice cream sandwich, except instead of stale vaguely-chocolate-flavored cookies, it had real, chewy, nutty brownies. I think the last time I had one was in 1988 or so.
posted by Daily Alice at 11:02 AM on February 12, 2013
posted by Daily Alice at 11:02 AM on February 12, 2013
The new cannoli ice cream is just called Cannoli.
It's pretty good. But it's not as good as Holy Cannoli was. Mascarpone instead of ricotta. And no pistachios.
And ditto what everyone has said about Bovinity Divinity and Cool Brittania. And Mission to Marzipan.
posted by elsietheeel at 11:16 AM on February 12, 2013
It's pretty good. But it's not as good as Holy Cannoli was. Mascarpone instead of ricotta. And no pistachios.
And ditto what everyone has said about Bovinity Divinity and Cool Brittania. And Mission to Marzipan.
posted by elsietheeel at 11:16 AM on February 12, 2013
Irregular ice cream? Like, would you get a pint that was all pecans, or those little fudge cows?
Works for McDonald's. At least, according to The Onion.
posted by ambrosen at 11:18 AM on February 12, 2013
Works for McDonald's. At least, according to The Onion.
posted by ambrosen at 11:18 AM on February 12, 2013
My favorite was Wavy Gravy. Terrible name for ice cream, but man was it good.
I guess they coulda called it Nut Romney?
posted by elsietheeel at 11:19 AM on February 12, 2013
I guess they coulda called it Nut Romney?
posted by elsietheeel at 11:19 AM on February 12, 2013
I went to grad school in Burlington and loved being able to buy "seconds" at the scoop shop. It think the pints were $2. I never had one that was insanely weird (like 90% heath bar.)
I miss being able to buy a quart of plain vanilla that doesn't have a bunch of gunk in it like the old Breyers!
posted by vespabelle at 11:29 AM on February 12, 2013
I miss being able to buy a quart of plain vanilla that doesn't have a bunch of gunk in it like the old Breyers!
posted by vespabelle at 11:29 AM on February 12, 2013
I have found that almost all ice cream, even high end brands like Breyer's, are now adding guar and xantham gum to their recipe. While these ingredients greatly increase the creamy mouthfeel of cheaper, leaner ingredients, it also deadens the flavor. In recent memory, the only ice cream I can find at stores in my area that don't have these gums are Ben & Jerry's, Double Rainbow, Häagen-Dazs, and Three Twins.
Yes, I just go very bitter about ice cream. Fuckers.
posted by Foam Pants at 11:29 AM on February 12, 2013
Yes, I just go very bitter about ice cream. Fuckers.
posted by Foam Pants at 11:29 AM on February 12, 2013
If you are looking for a fantastic ice cream fix at the supermarket, try Talenti Gelato. The Sea Salt Caramel and the Coffee Chocolate Chip in particular. There's a Banana Chocolate Swirl if you are a person who likes banana in your ice cream (for some unconscionable reason).
posted by Rock Steady at 11:33 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 11:33 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have found that almost all ice cream, even high end brands like Breyer's, are now adding guar and xantham gum to their recipe.
Mm, I must confess I'm a little surprised by all the Ben & Jerry's love in the thread, I thought (this being metafilter) that there would be some more critical voices. For me, since Ben & Jerry's became another Unilever division, their ice cream has become cloyingly over-sweet gummy goo. With chunks of extra sweet stuff mixed in.
posted by Auden at 11:52 AM on February 12, 2013
Mm, I must confess I'm a little surprised by all the Ben & Jerry's love in the thread, I thought (this being metafilter) that there would be some more critical voices. For me, since Ben & Jerry's became another Unilever division, their ice cream has become cloyingly over-sweet gummy goo. With chunks of extra sweet stuff mixed in.
posted by Auden at 11:52 AM on February 12, 2013
I definitely remember pre-Unilever Ben & Jerry's much more fondly but that is difficult to deconvolve with the crushing anhedonia of adulthood
posted by en forme de poire at 11:59 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by en forme de poire at 11:59 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
If you are looking for a fantastic ice cream fix at the supermarket, try Talenti Gelato. The Sea Salt Caramel
Oh yes. The Sea Salt Caramel makes gives me a moment of stunned silence followed by a chorus of angels.
posted by bongo_x at 12:04 PM on February 12, 2013
Oh yes. The Sea Salt Caramel makes gives me a moment of stunned silence followed by a chorus of angels.
posted by bongo_x at 12:04 PM on February 12, 2013
The worst seconds pint I ever got was Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough without any, well, chocolate chip cookie dough. I was five or six, it was pretty damn disappointing.
Now the place I work for in California sells _pints_ for $6. It's a strange world.
posted by Earthtopus at 12:11 PM on February 12, 2013
Now the place I work for in California sells _pints_ for $6. It's a strange world.
posted by Earthtopus at 12:11 PM on February 12, 2013
What a coincidence this thread is, since I just recently had a new (to me) Ben & Jerry's flavor and IT IS DELICIOUS MAGIC. Bonnaroo Buzz. Coffee & malt ice cream with whiskey caramel swirls & english toffee pieces. (I don't get the whiskey thing. It doesn't taste like whiskey. It tastes yumlikewhoa.)
posted by Glinn at 12:16 PM on February 12, 2013
posted by Glinn at 12:16 PM on February 12, 2013
My parents used to get me pints of Ben and Jerry's to celebrate my birthday when I was very small - they'd always get Chunky Monkey. "But I don't like it very much," I would say. "Sorry, but I think that's the only flavor they make," my parents would tell me, and then after I blew out the candle and have a sad, half-hearted bite, they'd chow down. Discovering that it was all a lie and I could have been eating Cookie Dough all those years? A tragic moment.
posted by ChuraChura at 12:32 PM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 12:32 PM on February 12, 2013 [3 favorites]
I will never forgive them for discontinuing Cool Britannia.
Both Ben and Jerry are dead to me.
Amen. Haven't bought any of their stuff since.
posted by rifflesby at 12:38 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Both Ben and Jerry are dead to me.
Amen. Haven't bought any of their stuff since.
posted by rifflesby at 12:38 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
(I should say that I generally got cake or a cookie or something awesome, so it wasn't like I was deprived of sugary treats for my birthday... just ice cream)
posted by ChuraChura at 12:40 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 12:40 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Schweddy Balls was in stores this holiday season, so it's still around.
I really, really miss White Russian though.
posted by exlotuseater at 12:55 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I really, really miss White Russian though.
posted by exlotuseater at 12:55 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Cool Brittania was my favorite the summer of 1997. Shortbread, strawberries and ice cream: what's not to love?
I never knew about Dastardly Mash, but if it contained raisins I spit on its grave. It got what was coming to it.
posted by little mouth at 1:04 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I never knew about Dastardly Mash, but if it contained raisins I spit on its grave. It got what was coming to it.
posted by little mouth at 1:04 PM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
I thought they had done a chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, but I guess I was wrong.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:05 PM on February 12, 2013
posted by kirkaracha at 1:05 PM on February 12, 2013
Has B&J ever done a flavor with a cinnamon ice cream? There seems to be a distinct lack of cinnamon ice creams out there, for which I am constantly frustrated and sad.
posted by ElleElle at 1:25 PM on February 12, 2013
posted by ElleElle at 1:25 PM on February 12, 2013
The main reason I eat any of the "premium" brands is that they have lower overrun, unlike the foamy crap ice cream that cheapskates eat. Ben & Jerry's mostly lost me when White Russian went away, but I'll pick up the occasional pint here or there. Haaaagen Dazcswshzws gets my business on the basis of the green tea variety, though when the sublime Bananas Foster flavor makes a rare appearance in my store, I stock up, fearing that one day it'll never come back.
Won't touch Breyers, though. It's foamy, frothy nothing, and when I found out about their little marketing lie back in the eighties, I was done. You know how they used to trumpet that there were no preservatives in their product? Yeah—that's because it was sprayed all over the box, which was a perfectly fine distinction back in the day.
posted by sonascope at 1:27 PM on February 12, 2013
Won't touch Breyers, though. It's foamy, frothy nothing, and when I found out about their little marketing lie back in the eighties, I was done. You know how they used to trumpet that there were no preservatives in their product? Yeah—that's because it was sprayed all over the box, which was a perfectly fine distinction back in the day.
posted by sonascope at 1:27 PM on February 12, 2013
I have a hard time separating these from porn titles.
Although that's probably more of a sad commentary on my lifestyle.
posted by Smedleyman at 1:29 PM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Although that's probably more of a sad commentary on my lifestyle.
posted by Smedleyman at 1:29 PM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Phish Food 4 Life.
Also, Cherry Garcia helped me survive the 80's and 90's, so if its truly gone, I shed a tear for it and its chunky cherry goodness. I will think of it fondly every time I step on a scale.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:46 PM on February 12, 2013
Also, Cherry Garcia helped me survive the 80's and 90's, so if its truly gone, I shed a tear for it and its chunky cherry goodness. I will think of it fondly every time I step on a scale.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:46 PM on February 12, 2013
Flavour-wise I'm fairly "meh" on Häagen-Dazs
Häagen-Dazs' Carmel Cone is the same concept as, but somehow ten times better than, Americone Dream.
posted by Diablevert at 1:50 PM on February 12, 2013
Häagen-Dazs' Carmel Cone is the same concept as, but somehow ten times better than, Americone Dream.
posted by Diablevert at 1:50 PM on February 12, 2013
It's actually the fine monkey shavings that go into each pint. They add that tang.
Hmmm. Tang Ice Cream....
posted by JHarris at 2:19 PM on February 12, 2013
Hmmm. Tang Ice Cream....
posted by JHarris at 2:19 PM on February 12, 2013
Tang Ice Cream....
I could get behind Tang sherbet. Or even a sorbet. Yeah. Someone do this.
I'm not sure whether I actually miss CoffeeCoffeeBuzzBuzzBuzz or if I am glad that it's no longer around to tempt me. It pretty much was the late 90s in ice cream form for me.
posted by Spatch at 2:47 PM on February 12, 2013
I could get behind Tang sherbet. Or even a sorbet. Yeah. Someone do this.
I'm not sure whether I actually miss CoffeeCoffeeBuzzBuzzBuzz or if I am glad that it's no longer around to tempt me. It pretty much was the late 90s in ice cream form for me.
posted by Spatch at 2:47 PM on February 12, 2013
Has B&J ever done a flavor with a cinnamon ice cream? There seems to be a distinct lack of cinnamon ice creams out there, for which I am constantly frustrated and sad.
Tillamook has done several cinnamon ice creams, including sticky bun, cinnamon caramel and cinnamon banana, but they've always been limited time feature flavors. I stopped at the factory on the way up the coast last year and had one; can't remember what it was (none of those three sound right), but it was really good.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:07 PM on February 12, 2013
Tillamook has done several cinnamon ice creams, including sticky bun, cinnamon caramel and cinnamon banana, but they've always been limited time feature flavors. I stopped at the factory on the way up the coast last year and had one; can't remember what it was (none of those three sound right), but it was really good.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:07 PM on February 12, 2013
Wow, I went through a LONG grieving process after they discontinued Cool Brittania, which I basically lived on in college.
All I have to say at this point is that if they discontinue Chocolate Therapy, I am going to go absolutely fucking apeshit insane. It is impossible to find a really good, dark, chocolatey ice cream. I will bring the fiery wrath of a thousand mighty thunder gods down on them.
I've made my feelings known on their facebook wall.
posted by young sister beacon at 4:05 PM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
All I have to say at this point is that if they discontinue Chocolate Therapy, I am going to go absolutely fucking apeshit insane. It is impossible to find a really good, dark, chocolatey ice cream. I will bring the fiery wrath of a thousand mighty thunder gods down on them.
I've made my feelings known on their facebook wall.
posted by young sister beacon at 4:05 PM on February 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
I definitely agree about Talenti. I saw it in the store one time when it was on sale and loved the idea of getting ice cream in a jar with a screw on lid. I've only had sea salt caramel and black raspberry chip, but both are amazing. Now I just have to find pistachio, and I'll be set.
posted by zorrine at 4:13 PM on February 12, 2013
posted by zorrine at 4:13 PM on February 12, 2013
No love for Festivus?
posted by datawrangler at 4:48 PM on February 12, 2013
posted by datawrangler at 4:48 PM on February 12, 2013
Has B&J ever done a flavor with a cinnamon ice cream? There seems to be a distinct lack of cinnamon ice creams out there, for which I am constantly frustrated and sad.
Alas... heaven on a spoon! Although I can't seem to find it anywhere.
posted by daninnj at 4:48 PM on February 12, 2013
Alas... heaven on a spoon! Although I can't seem to find it anywhere.
posted by daninnj at 4:48 PM on February 12, 2013
Oh wait, they have a handy locater! And it's at my local supermarket! Yay!
posted by daninnj at 4:51 PM on February 12, 2013
posted by daninnj at 4:51 PM on February 12, 2013
I also saw a "Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Snack" flavor that had chocolate covered potato chips in it that I haven't seen since and I now regret not buying.
I tried this one & was horribly disappointed. The potato chips were soggy & flavorless. The idea was good, but you'd be better off just crumbling a bag of Lays onto your bowl of ice cream.
posted by belladonna at 5:32 PM on February 12, 2013
I tried this one & was horribly disappointed. The potato chips were soggy & flavorless. The idea was good, but you'd be better off just crumbling a bag of Lays onto your bowl of ice cream.
posted by belladonna at 5:32 PM on February 12, 2013
I've been gone from lands that sell Ben and Jerry's so long, I'd forgotten about their White Russian until just now when I saw it had passed away, years before. I feel deeply sad, and incredibly awkward. Is it appropriate to mourn when everyone else has moved on?
That flavor, and my first taste of Dulce de Leche stunned me, and made me realize there was a world of flavor out there.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:36 AM on February 13, 2013
That flavor, and my first taste of Dulce de Leche stunned me, and made me realize there was a world of flavor out there.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:36 AM on February 13, 2013
If we're comparing finds - there is a brand that is local to the NYC area (I am unable to find a link in my pre-caffinated state); it's based somewhere in the Hudson Valley area, and they have funky flavors like kulfi (cardamom and pistachio - it's based on an ice cream dessert from India) along with the chocolate chip and such.
But their mint chip is the only mint chip ice cream that's got a strong enough mint flavor to satisfy me. I've tried them all - Talenti, B&J, Bryer's, all of them, and this one wins. I just like my mint to be pretty strong - basically, if they ever made an Altoids ice cream, I'd be all over it. Ben and Jerry's, unfortunately, isn't strong enough.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:18 AM on February 13, 2013
But their mint chip is the only mint chip ice cream that's got a strong enough mint flavor to satisfy me. I've tried them all - Talenti, B&J, Bryer's, all of them, and this one wins. I just like my mint to be pretty strong - basically, if they ever made an Altoids ice cream, I'd be all over it. Ben and Jerry's, unfortunately, isn't strong enough.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:18 AM on February 13, 2013
This is an opportunity to share the thing I just learned from a book I read: that one of the founders of B&J's had no sense of taste, hence the focus on B&J's ice cream being very texture rich -- thick ice cream, lots of chunky bits.
I love that Jimmy Fallon flavor, but the undeniably best flavor is Cinnamon Bun. My college flavor of choice for eating in one disgusting batch was Everything But The..., which for reasons I can't recall, my friends and I referred to as 'Everything But The Jesus.'
posted by whitneyarner at 4:38 AM on February 13, 2013
I love that Jimmy Fallon flavor, but the undeniably best flavor is Cinnamon Bun. My college flavor of choice for eating in one disgusting batch was Everything But The..., which for reasons I can't recall, my friends and I referred to as 'Everything But The Jesus.'
posted by whitneyarner at 4:38 AM on February 13, 2013
Oh man, this just reminds me that we will never ever ever ever get the Liz Lemon flavour over here.
I'm not even sure if B+Js was available over here when Cool Britannia was invented. Maybe it was just that my parents didn't see the wisdom in buying £4 pots of ice-cream.
posted by mippy at 4:58 AM on February 13, 2013
I'm not even sure if B+Js was available over here when Cool Britannia was invented. Maybe it was just that my parents didn't see the wisdom in buying £4 pots of ice-cream.
posted by mippy at 4:58 AM on February 13, 2013
I'm still waiting for them to actually produce Go Fudge Yourself.
Also, the cashiers at the supermarket made fun of Late Night Snack when I bought it. As in passing it to other cashiers to laugh at. Sigh.
posted by cestmoi15 at 6:28 PM on February 13, 2013
Also, the cashiers at the supermarket made fun of Late Night Snack when I bought it. As in passing it to other cashiers to laugh at. Sigh.
posted by cestmoi15 at 6:28 PM on February 13, 2013
I'm waiting for a Pixies flavor. My money's on "Fudge Monkey's Gone to Heaven."
posted by zippy at 8:17 PM on February 18, 2013
posted by zippy at 8:17 PM on February 18, 2013
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I bet Chunky Monkey and Rainforest Crunch are in the graveyard too as I haven't seen those flavors for years.
posted by Kitteh at 8:40 AM on February 12, 2013 [1 favorite]