Saturday, March 10, 2012

Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream Review


So, how y'all doin' today? Are you ready for the time change? If there's one thing I've noticed, it's that the older I get, the more I hate this foolish time change. Sure on occasion it might correct one of my kid's sleeping schedules, but overall, it's nothing but trouble. I'm tired just thinking about it.... if only I had something to cheer me up...

You know, I bet a little live blogging would help. That's right, it's time to dig into "the world's most irresistible ice cream", also know as Graeter's. Since 1870.... yeah, 1870, like 142 years ago 1870, Graeter's has been making small batch ice cream and I can't believe I finally got my hands on some. To be honest, I'm not sure how you go nationwide while still making french pot ice cream two gallons at a time... ahhh, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier, Graeter's expanded by building a new plant in Bond Hill in 2009 with every intention of going national. Well with the ability to make a million gallons a year, let me be the first to say "Welcome to New England!"

You know, I'm trying to be good and set up this review, but I really want some ice cream RIGHT NOW.

COMMENCE LIVE BLOGGING!

"Irresistible" Graeter's Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Small Batch - French Pot - Since 1870
traditional yet effective packaging

no seal, surprising for a higher end product

Wow, that is the darkest purple ice cream I've ever seen

and here goes my first bite...hmmmmm

they've gone for a more natural raspberry flavor (much like the Talenti)

scoops easily, little icy/watery

let's dig out the big chocolate chips for a picture
ha, trying to dig out the one on the right but it's stuck!!
I've got a real excavation on my hands here...

HOLY COW! It's Gigantic!!
This is the biggest chocolate "chip" I've ever seen!

oh I just ate the whole thing, it tastes like a giant Tollhouse chocolate chip

This ice cream definitely has a unique texture, a little watery almost. 
It's very soft and easy to scoop

I'm not sure what I expected,
but this definitely isn't it

For a high fat ice cream, it feels light and goes down easy. I have a feeling that I could polish this pint off pretty easily. It kind of reminds me of Talenti since it has almost a watery/icy texture to it (not that this is a bad thing on a high end product. The iciness creates a bit of a cleanness to the texture --- sorry, I keep saying this, but it's evident in every scoop. I wouldn't call it creamy because that implies an underlying milk flavor that I'm just not picking up like I would on B&J or H-D.

NOM NOM NOM NOM and down goes the other giant chocolate chunk. It's like someone smashed a giant hollow chocolate Easter bunny into my ice cream. Oh that's evil. (think I jut gave myself an idea for an upcoming holiday flavor)

OK, maybe the chocolate is filling me up after all. It's probably where a lot of the fat comes from too....  ok, time to put this away, but not before I take some more small bites.

OK, Live Blogging Over

Ok, it's in the freezer and I'm just sitting here debating how I feel. Wow. I certainly set the expectations bar really crazy high for this one. Was it worth $4.99 a pint? Well it's high end and it came a long way, so I'll say that the price is fair enough. I just can't believe how much it reminds me of Talenti. I mean that as a compliment, but it's such a bizarre coincidence.

Is my life changed? Probably not, it's just ice cream. There's definitely a strong residual flavor that is really making me crave pretzels (mmmm, Snyders dipping sticks, so tasty). I like it, I'm sure I'll buy the other flavors, I'm just debating how it will rank with the other premium brands.

I just reread Rodzilla's thoughts on this flavor and like me, he wasn't sure what to think at first, but also knew this was a top notch product.

I apologize for the wishy washy review here, but it can happen on a first scoop, especially the first scoop of a new brand. There's no doubt this is a quality product, I just need to get use to 2% air content (that would explain why it's 114g a serving!)

Verdict?  Quality Product
Buy Again?  I think I will be trying all the flavors

On Second Scoop: For whatever reason, I have this thing were I usually down a big glass of chocolate milk on Sunday morning. Today however I went with a small serving of Graeter's. I was so distracted by the giant chocolate chips yesterday that I totally missed that there are tiny chocolate bits everywhere and they add a chocolate flavor to the whole black raspberry base. I guess it leaves me wondering what a non-chip version of this would taste like.

On Second Scooper: my wife finished this one off for me, guess that leaves more room to try another flavor --- which I did here. I just needed to start with the basics!

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup (114g)
Servings Per Container    4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 270from Fat 120
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g22%
- Sat Fat 8g40%
- Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 50mg17%
Sodium 40mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 34g11%
- Dietary Fiber  0g0%
- Sugars 33g
Protein 3g

Vitamin A 10%Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 10%Iron 0%

6 comments:

  1. I've been staring at this flavor every time I've gone to the grocery store since I've mentioned seeing them to you. I'm glad you picked it up before I did. I'd probably wait for it to go on sale before I pick it up now. Can't wait for the reviews of the other flavors.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Easily the best ice cream I have ever had. It is so decadent that you are satisifed with a few scoops. Unlike the lower quality ice cream where you can go through a whole carton and still want something afterwards. The base is light like a sorbet, but as creamy as an ice cream...which compliments the big chunks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. THE MOST DELICIOUS ICE CREAM ON THE PLANET IS GRAETERS, AND THEIR MOST DELICIOUS FLAVOR IS THE BLACK RASBERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP. TO DIE FOR!
    THE FLAVORS ARE EXTREMELY INTENSE, RICH AND PURE.GRAETER'SCARAMEL IS DIVINE TOO.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip, but I can't help wishing it was more tart - maybe that's just what I expect from fruit flavors though. Either way, A++!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If it was icy/watery, it was probably because whoever carried it allowed it to melt and refreeze.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you captain obvious for commenting on a five year old review. May I humbly suggest you check out the dozen plus graeters reviews that I've written since this first one, it might help add a bit of context for you.

    ReplyDelete

*** All comments are moderated ***
Expect a delay before they are posted