Summer is here, and with it comes the simple pleasure of enjoying a cold, creamy scoop of ice cream. Whether you prefer classic vanilla or more adventurous choices, ice cream has a way of making hot days more bearable – and more fun! It’s a treat that brings out the kid in all of us, and will keep us busy stocking our freezers for the next couple of months.
Kawartha Dairy
This is a 100% Canadian family-owned company, and has been part of Ontario summers since 1937. Founded by Jack and Ila Crowe in Bobcaygeon, they started as a small local dairy. Today, Kawartha Dairy operates 10 retail stores, and their frozen treats can also be found at grocers like Vince’s. Kawartha Dairy is known for its ice cream, which they introduced in the mid-1950s, and they continue to source fresh milk from local Ontario farms.
The company offers a large variety of flavours (too many to list here) containing the usuals, like French Vanilla, along with some more imaginative varieties like Black Raspberry Thunder, Death by Chocolate, Moose Tracks, and – perfect for your next camping trip – Campfire S’mores. The latter pulls together the flavours of toasted marshmallow, along with chocolate ripple and graham cracker crumble. Also from Kawartha Dairy are seasonal flavours like Kawartha Candy Cane (for the holiday season) and Pumpkin Pie (in the fall).
Chapman’s Ice Cream
Since 1973, Chapman’s has been crafting delicious ice cream and frozen treats. As Canada’s largest independent ice cream manufacturer, they offer more than 280 frozen products, including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, ice cream bars, and popsicles. But let’s stick with ice cream (which I prefer anyway), and here, Chapman’s has no shortage of options.
Premium Ice Cream
Chapman’s Premium Ice Cream offers a smooth texture and rich, creamy taste. Available in 2L tubs, this ice cream comes in a plethora of flavours from old standbys like chocolate and vanilla, to Pistachio and Almonds, Saucy Spots Salty Caramel, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup.
Super Premium Plus
As an answer to some of today’s luxury brands, Chapman’s launched their Super Premium Plus lineup. It is made with real cream and other high-quality ingredients in a peanut/nut and egg-free facility. This is “special occasion” ice cream that needs to be slowly savoured, making the small 500ml tubs perfect for sharing. Perhaps on a porch swing with someone special?
Here are a few of the flavours: Cherry Chocolate Truffle, Cold Brew Coffee, Chocolate Cake Batter, and Salty Caramel Crunch. The latter is a nice blend of salty caramel ice cream with a ripple of salty caramel sauce, butter toffee pieces, and caramel cookie bits. Sound tempting?
Markdale Creamery Ice Cream
Markdale Creamery, formerly Chapman’s original line, celebrates 50 years with a new look. It is made with 100% Canadian dairy, and sold in a 2L box. Note, this ice cream is also made in a gluten-free, peanut-free, nut-free, and egg-free facility. A few of the many flavours include Dutch Chocolate, Maple Crunch, Butterscotch Ripple, Cookies & Cream, and Orange Pineapple.
Haagen-Dazs
Since 1960, Häagen-Dazs has focused on using pure, responsibly-sourced ingredients to create extraordinary ice cream. Each flavour begins with real cream, milk, eggs, and sugar, combined with premium elements – no artificial colours or flavours. Options like Chocolate, Coffee, Strawberry, and Vanilla contain just five ingredients, demonstrating that simplicity can lead to something special.
Haagen-Dazs excels in even the most basic flavours:
- Chocolate: Known for its deep, rich flavor.
- Coffee: Loved for its authentic, robust coffee taste.
- Strawberry: Praised for its natural, fruity flavor.
- Vanilla: Celebrated for its simplicity and smooth texture.
No matter which of these brands and flavours you choose, it is likely that at least one of them will bring back fond summer memories. Even something as mundane as trying to keep your ice cream from melting and running down the cone. When it’s upwards of 30 C outside, trying to consume it fast enough can be a losing battle. But it’s one which I’m willing to lose!
Until next time…
— Neil
