Fashion Avenue Ken
Fashion Avenue Ken
The Scoop on Local Ice Cream
One of my fondest memories of growing up was the ice cream truck slowly cruising through my neighborhood on those hot summer days. The sound of The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down or The Entertainer played through tinny speakers would send kids scrambling in every direction to get a quarter before the truck got away. Nothing in the world ever tasted as good as those frozen treats during the hazy summers of so long ago.
America loves ice cream. The average American eats 23.2 quarts of frozen dairy products every year. In the north central states, the average is 41.7 quarts. Ninety-eight percent of all households purchase ice cream. According to the International Ice Cream Association, the most popular flavors are vanilla (29%), chocolate (8.9%), butter pecan (5.3%), strawberry (5.3%), and Neapolitan (4.2%).
To supply our ever-increasing demand, the ice cream industry in America now produces 1.54 billion gallons of ice cream a year, much of it produced by local and regional manufacturers. Some of the best are produced in southern Wisconsin. We put some of them to the test to see how their vanilla ice cream would stand up.
Babcock Hall Ice Cream
Babcock Hall ice cream is unusual in that it is not made by a company but by the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Babcock Hall is the home of the Department of Food Sciences within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The hall is named after Prof. Stephen M. Babcock who, in 1890, discovered a simple and inexpensive way of testing the butterfat content of milk.
What you really need to know about Babcock Hall is that it contains a dairy plant and, most importantly, a dairy store that sells ice cream that is the food of the gods. The state-of-the-art dairy plant can and does manufacture yogurt, butter, cheese, and fluid milk products. They also make ice cream … really, really good ice cream in over 90 flavors divided into two types: regular and super premium. Flavors include popular favorites as well as flavors like Union Utopia (vanilla ice cream with a fudge, caramel, and peanut butter swirl) and Berry Jubilee (a berry flavored ice cream with strawberries and raspberries).
Many of the special flavors are created for specific groups or special events as Eileen Karre, the Dairy Store Manager, explained, “Right now we have Aloha SOAR which is for the SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) Program that takes place during the summer for students that are coming in the fall. It’s vanilla ice cream with pineapple and chocolate chips.”
The taste of Babcock Hall ice cream almost defies description. Their vanilla uses the finest quality ingredients available to produce a flavor that is silky smooth with an indulgent, creamy taste that fills your mouth without overwhelming your taste buds and makes you want to savor each delightful spoonful. They do all that with a fat content you would swear is much higher at a remarkable 8 percent.
It used to be that the only place you could get Babcock Hall ice cream was at Babcock Hall, but it has started appearing in select retail locations, so keep an eye out for it. Some of the places you can find it include Cheesers in Stoughton, Ken’s Market in Monona, and Sweets on Third in Wausau.
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream
Chocolate Shoppe ice cream is another Madison institution, starting as a family-owned business in 1962 on Madison’s east side. They now have three stores in the Madison area and distribute super premium ice cream to select retail and restaurant locations throughout Wisconsin and parts of surrounding states.
Chocolate Shoppe offers more than 110 flavors. These include 29 standard flavors, 21 specialty flavors (like Fat Elvis — banana ice cream rippled with peanut butter and chunks of chocolate), 14 nut flavors, 10 seasonal flavors, three no-sugar-added flavors, as well as four soy-based flavors.
Chocolate Shoppe vanilla ice cream has sinful amounts of cream and top-quality ingredients. The vanilla is thick and creamy, almost to the point of being gooey, with a buttery overtone. Megan Turk, Chocolate Shoppe Brand Manager, explained what sets their ice cream apart. “It’s the butterfat content and the overruns. The overrun is how much air is mixed with the ice cream. More air means a sandier, grittier texture. Our overrun is only 34% so there’s not as much room for ice crystals to grow.”
This is a vanilla that’s best eaten plain, bite by creamy bite. There are 14 grams of fat in a serving but as their nutritional information statement on their website says, “That means it’s not low-fat, low-calorie, or low anything and that’s why everyone loves it. You want nutrition, eat carrots.” If you want a really, really delicious treat, grab some Chocolate Shoppe ice cream.
Turk also mentioned that Chocolate Shoppe will be creating a new flavor for a name-the-flavor contest coming up in August. “We’re not sure what’s going to be in it yet but it’s going to be a fun flavor. And the winner gets a year’s supply of ice cream.”
Schoep’s Ice Cream
Schoep’s ice cream is the big kid of our test group and has been turning out quality ice cream since 1928 when E.J. Schoephoester began making small batches in the back of his grocery store. Today Schoep’s produces 12 million gallons of ice cream annually in around 200 flavors. Schoep’s makes seven kinds of vanilla ice cream. While we didn’t test them all, our personal favorite was the New York Vanilla.
“The big thing that sets us apart is our recipes. They have been around since the 1920s. The only thing that’s changed is the equipment we make it on,” says Al Thompson of Schoep’s. “Another key is the people that work for us. Many of them have worked for us for many years. They feel a sense of ownership and take pride in the company.”
Schoep’s is the kind of ice cream you remember from your childhood. The taste of the cream and vanilla are evenly balanced to create a satisfying, complete flavor.
Sibby’s Homestead Organic Ice Cream
As the name implies Sibby’s Homestead Organic Ice Cream is an organic product in an industry that boasts few organic manufacturers. Sue Sebion-Huber (her nickname is Sibby) only makes two flavors, vanilla and chocolate, made from only five all-organic ingredients: eggs, cream, nonfat dry milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and, in the case of chocolate, a sixth ingredient of cocoa. Her vanilla and cocoa are fair trade imports and everything else is purchased locally. “I was able to go to the Chaseburg Creamery and get my cream fresh and then I sourced my other ingredients,” said Sebion-Huber, “so when I found out I was able to get all my ingredients organically, I went to a little ice cream manufacturer called Viroqua Dairy and ran our first batch of ice cream.”
She’s not stopping at two flavors. More are soon to come as Sebion-Huber explained, “The third flavor will be strawberry and the fourth flavor will be Sibby’s Favorite and that’s going to swap out according to the season.”
Sebion-Huber is a small producer (100,000 pints annually) compared to someone like Schoep’s, but that allows her to make ice cream having an old-fashioned flavor that’s not often found anymore. Her vanilla is fresh and clean — you can taste every ingredient as this smooth-textured treat melts on your tongue. With only 8 percent fat, the vanilla flavor is clearly evident and not overwhelmed by the buttery taste of the cream.
When we taste-tested these ice creams, we stuck to vanilla because it’s ice cream in its purest form. We didn’t try one we didn’t like, as each had its merits. At the end of the day what brand you like is an intensely personal choice, governed by what characteristics combine to make you purr inside.
Neighborhood ice cream trucks are a rare commodity these days. The flavors of summer, however, are as tasty as always. A trip to the grocery store or your local ice cream shop can take you back to those days when your biggest decision was one scoop or two.
Hold the dairy
Not everyone can, or wants to, eat dairy products, but they still want the ice cream experience. Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives that let you eat ice cream without the cream.
Turtle Mountain offers four lines of nondairy frozen treats: Purely Decadent, organic It’s So Delicious, Soy Delicious (sweetened with a blend of fruit concentrates, brown rice, and tapioca syrup), and fat-free, soy-free, fruit-sweetened Sweet Nothing frozen novelties. Turtle Mountain products can be found at Pick ‘n Save, Roundy’s, Whole Foods, and Woodman’s. Check their website for more information and locations at turtlemountain.com.
Oats Cream is produced by American Oats, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It’s available as soft serve as well as hard pack. Oats Cream is dairy-free, cholesterol-free, low-fat, and vegan. It’s not organic but they’re working on it.
Tofutti makes a number of products, but their flagship is a dairy-free ice cream substitute. This soy-based dessert has been around for years and comes in a variety of flavors. You can get Tofutti at Copp’s, Willy Street Co-op, Whole Foods, and Pick n’ Save to name a few. Their website (tofutti.com) has a store locator.
Rice Dream frozen desserts are part of a line of products that has been around since 1971. As the name implies, they are rice-based and so offer different health benefits from soy-based. These all-natural treats contain no refined sweeteners, no cholesterol, and are lactose free. Go to tastethedream.com for a store locator.
If You Go
Babcock Hall Dairy Store, 1605 Linden Drive, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1565 Phone: (608) 262-3045 foodsci.wisc.edu/store
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company & Ice Cream Shoppes, 1726 Fordem Avenue, Madison, WI 53704 Phone: (608) 241-2747 chocolateshoppeicecream.com
Schoep’s Ice Cream, 2070 Helena Street, PO Box 3249, Madison, WI 53704 Phone: (608) 249-6411 schoepsicecream.com
Sibby’s Organic Ice Cream, S2987 Sebion Road, Westby, WI 54667 Phone: (608) 634-3828
Sibby’s Organic Zone Ice Cream Parlor, inside the Viroqua Public Market, 215 South Main Street, Viroqua, WI 54665 Phone: (608) 637-1912 sibbysicecream.com
About the Author
Henry Verden spent 15 years in the restaurant industry and has had a lifelong love affair with food (he grew up in Wisconsin after all). He has written freelance for many years and is now a feature writer for Bountiful Cupboard Magazine. Read Bountiful Cupboard, http://www.bountifulcupboard.com and discover the best quality food, ingredients, beverages, products and services. Learn about the finest in Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Minnesota. Connect with fascinating growers, local producers, and the finest providers. Offered in full-color print and online. Go to http://www.bountifulcupboard.com now.
BARBIE & MY SCENE COLLECTION 2009
|
|
Rare Collectable Barbie Color Change Makeup Head / Make Up Colour Doll 1988 £99.95 |
|
|
VTG KNITTING PATTERN DOLLS CLOTHES 6 ITEMS TO FIT SINDY/ BARBIE TYPE DOLL £1.75 |
|
|
Lovely Pretty U/W Balcony Bra 32B Barbie Pink /Light Pink White Polka Dots BNWOT £8.00 |
|
|
Girls Barbie Pink Vest £0.79 |
|
|
3x DOLLS £0.99 |
|
|
TOY STORY 2 BARBIE DOLL AND FRIENDS FIGURES SEALED IN CARDED BLISTER PACK £11.99 |
|
|
barbie pink padded jacket/coat girls 4-5 yrs £0.99 |
|
|
Huge Bundle Barbie / Cindy Bits and Bats. Approximately 95 Pieces Various Pieces £2.99 |
|
|
Girl’s Mattel Barbie scan cash register & mic 2-3 yrs £3.49 |
|
|
girls bundle dresses skirt tops shorts etc age 3 – 4 Next Barbie George 11 items £5.50 |
|
|
vintage barbie/sindy white cotton lace trimmed dress £4.99 |
|
|
vintage sindy/barbie red top has windsurfing scene & red beret £3.99 |
|
|
TOY STORY 2 DIECAST VEHICLE SET. 3 MODELS INCLUDED. BARBIE, WOODY, BUZZ. BOXED £29.99 |
|
|
Barbie Children Watch 3D #BW1 £0.99 |
|
|
barbie/sindy pink nylon gathered waist jacket has yellow cord ties £1.99 |
|
|
barbie/sindy red 3/4 length coathas 3/4 length sleeves & barbie label £1.99 |
|
|
vintage barbie/sindy white skirt with coloured dotted stripes has barbie label £1.99 |
|
|
Barbie Super Sports for Sony PlayStation 1 £2.99 |
|
|
sindy/barbie yellow & gold patterned long sleeved jacket £1.50 |
|
|
sindy/barbie pink patterned dress has peach puff sleeve £1.50 |
|
|
Barbie Horse Adventures nintendo Gba game will also fit /Ds/Ds Lite £1.70 |
|
|
SIMBA STEFFI LOVE BABY TRIKE NEW IN BOX £7.99 |
|
|
Shelly (Barbie) Wind Up Doll £2.50 |
|
|
barbie/sindy doll size blue denimn dress with beige under bust trim £1.50 |
|
|
My Fair Lady Barbie – Eliza Doolittle £26.01 |
|
|
Barbie I Can Be Art Teacher Doll £10.49 Barbie est une passionnée d’art. Avec ce set Barbie professeur de dessin de MATTEL, les enfants découvrent une poupée artiste. Barbie peint vraiment, il suffit d’actionner un bouton spécial. En trempant le pinceau dans l’eau froide, des motifs apparaissen… |
|
|
Barbie Colouring Set £0.01 Set of 8 colouring sheets, 6 colouring pencils and 15 resuable stickers Age 3+… |
|
|
Barbie ‘Pop Art’ Single Duvet £8.85 Barbie Duvet Cover Set – Single…. |
|
|
Disney Princess -Ultimate £2.90 … |
|
|
Barbie of Swan Lake [DVD] £3.49 … |
|
|
Barbie In The 12 Dancing Princesses [DVD] £2.87 … |
|
|
Barbie: Jet, Set and Style (Nintendo DS) £12.99 Jet the Globe with Barbie as her top fashionista in this all-new, ultra-glamorous video game, Barbie Jet, Set & Style. There are tons of styling activities for you to do in the jet salon as you travel with Barbie to 10 different exotic cities from Paris to Los Angeles to Milan and more. Design totally-new HAIRtastic hairstyles using “real styling moves” with the Wii Remote and stylus; cut, hi… |
|
|
Barbie: Groom and Glam Pups (Nintendo DS) £12.73 Barbie Groom & Glam Pups is an all-new, fun and engaging game that lets players choose a pup from one of six adorable breeds, then groom it, train it, and dress it up. Finally, players show off their glam pup in a fabulous dance sequence, runway show and photo shoot! Throughout the game, Barbie serves as a mentor, providing instruction and tips to the player. Six Adorable Breeds: Selected … |
|
|
Barbie: Jet, Set and Style (Wii) £14.10 Jet the Globe with Barbie as her top fashionista in this all-new, ultra-glamorous video game, Barbie Jet, Set & Style. There are tons of styling activities for you to do in the jet salon as you travel with Barbie to 10 different exotic cities from Paris to Los Angeles to Milan and more. Design totally-new HAIRtastic hairstyles using “real styling moves” with the Wii Remote and stylus; cut, hi… |
|
|
Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 [DVD] £5.54 … |
|
|
NEW GENUINE FORD FOCUS MONDEO OUTPUT SHAFT BEARING £9.95 |
|
|
Kent-Moore CH-49684 Wheel Bearing Receiver 2009 Vibe £15.81 |
|
|
TY BEANIE BABY ~ PEACE THE TY-DYE BEAR ~ NEW ~ SALE £3.95 |
|
|
Bundle of baby toys – rattles, squeaker, soft white M&S bear £3.50 |
|
|
HONDA CBX1000 Z 79-81 Headstock Bearings (Japan) £34.25 |
|
|
Bear Apprentice Left Hand RTS 20-50# 15″-27″Compound Bow Package with Arrows! £189.83 |
|
|
ford KA mk1 STREETKA SPORTKA (02 to 08) ALL REAR WHEEL BEARING 8121 £11.99 |
|
|
Cherished Teddies Justin We Share Forever £3.16 |
|
|
MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR HANDMADE £24.99 |
|
|
Beige fashion Brand New Cute Bear Earphone Cable Winder New lovely £0.01 |
|
|
47270, 47247, Needle Bearing & Washer Mercury 1150, 115HP 6 Cyl. £8.55 |
|
|
CHERISHED TEDDIE MUM ON SOFA FOOTSTOOL RARE RETIRED IDEAL MOTHERS LAR £19.99 |
|
|
care bears soft toy holding hands £5.00 |
|
|
Fisher Price Singing Shake Wiggle & Rattle Sound Activated Winnie Pooh Bear Toy £13.99 |
|
|
MOHAIR TEDDY BEAR VINTAGE/ANTIQUE OLD TEDDY BEAR £150.00 |
|
|
0200 Harley Softail Rear Fork Swingarm 2008+ w/ Axle Adjuster Pivot Bearing GUC £139.21 |
|
|
winter wonderland hermann bear ltd £65.00 |
|
|
me to you teddy bear £0.99 |
|
|
2x ME TO YOU BEARS £9.99 |
|
|
Cherished Teddies Benji – Year 1991 £4.99 |
|
|
vintage go go gorilla space monkey/bear 8″ £0.99 |
|
|
lovely keel teddy bear with tag £0.99 |
|
|
keel toys 9″ soft toy cute puppie 99p £0.99 |
|
|
gorgeous jointed 17″ teddy bear from the blue foot bear company £3.99 |
|
|
HONDA CBR1000 F 87-00 Headstock Bearings (Japan) £34.25 |
|
|
Prince Lionheart Original Slumber Bear – Cream £19.97 Invented by a doctor, and effectively used in hospital nurseries for over 25 years! The Original Slumber Bear contains the ONLY actual intra-uterine, recorded womb sound to help lull your Baby to sleep in minutes! Sound and motion sensors re-activate recording when Baby cries or jostles bear. Additional hook and loop straps allow you to secure the removable audio box to crib rails, strollers and m… |
|
|
Amscan 9-inch Little Charlie Bear Plate £2.49 Little Charley bear party plates… |
|
|
Character World Me To You Bear Shaped Plush Cushion £7.50 Loads more Me To You products at our store. Please click on logo for many more products. Fast shipping. Competitive prices. Great bedroom items…. |
|
|
Driving Towards The Daylight – Ltd. Digibook £8.99 … |
|
|
El Camino £6.98 … |
|
|
Locked Down £7.72 … |
|
|
Spiral Series 3 [DVD] £11.72 United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: French ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 3-DVD Set, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The critically acclaimed crime drama returns for a THIRD series. When the mutilated body of a young woman is found on a disused railway track in the North of Paris, Police Captain Laure Berthaud sei… |
|
|
A Separation [DVD] £6.89 … |
|
|
The Jungle Book : 40th Anniversary 2 Disc Platinum Edition [1967] [DVD] [1968] £17.99 Disney’s 1967 animated feature The Jungle Book seems even more entertaining now than it did upon first release, with a hall-of-fame vocal performance by Phil Harris as Baloo, the genial bear friend of feral child Mowgli. Loosely based on Rudyard Kipling’s original, the film goes its own way as Disney animation will, but the strong characters and smart casting (George Sanders as the villainous tige… |
|
|
Intelex Cozy Plush Microwaveable Warmer – Polar Bear £7.95 … |
