By Alexandra Savage
In the Summer of 2020, I manned the counter at Ben and Jerry’s (or rather, I worked as a ‘scooper,’ per my official job title). Every day, at least one customer would ask one of the following questions: “Is your scooping arm a lot stronger than the other?” Yes. “Why isn’t the mint ice cream green?” There are no artificial colors in the ice cream. And, most popular of all, “What’s the best flavor here?” Well, that depends. You see, I believe that ice cream flavors are both an art and a science. How could one possibly equate the aesthetic purple of Raspberry Sorbet with the delightful crunch of Americone Dream? To help you better answer this question for yourself, I’ve crafted a comprehensive guide of the perfect ice cream flavors for every occasion or food allergy. All information is taken from the official Ben and Jerry’s Website.
When you want it to feel like Summer:
Even though it remains fairly cold in April, you can still prepare for the warmth of Summer by enjoying what I have coined as the “Ben and Jerry’s Summer Collection,” made up of my two favorite sorbets: Lemonade and Berry Berry Extraordinary. Both flavors feature chunks of frozen fruit puree that are perfect for a hot Summer day. The sorbets are also perfect for anyone with nut or dairy allergies. Although, I wouldn’t recommend ordering them with a cone, as sorbet can be difficult to scoop!
When you need a good cry:
The movies don’t lie; ice cream really does help you feel better. If you’re in the mood to crawl under a blanket and binge-watch a sad movie, I’d recommend you buy a pint of Phish Food to keep you company. This chocolatey ice cream offers delicious swirls of caramel, marshmallow, and fudge fish. Not to mention, it’s gluten-free! I’d also suggest Milk and Cookies, which boasts the perfect mix of vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.
When you want to try something new:
During my tenure at Ben and Jerry’s, most customers ordered the same few flavors, such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, and Half Baked. If you’re in the mood to try something off the beaten path, consider a flavor that doesn’t get the same amount of attention. I’d suggest Salted Caramel Blondie, a vanilla ice cream with caramel and chunks of blonde brownies. For a vegan option, I’d recommend Cold Brew Coffee Fudge Chip, a coffee flavor made with sunflower butter. If you like your coffee cold, you can’t go wrong with this tasty option.
With over thirty flavors sold in stores, Ben and Jerry’s offers a wide variety of options for any ice cream lover. No matter your mood, or your dietary limitation, there’s a flavor out there for any situation. Happy tasting!
