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If you follow the same blogs and Facebook feeds that I do, you’ve no doubt been bombarded with news of Ben and Jerry’s vegan flavors.
Celebrating this entrée into the realm of non-dairy, Ben and Jerry’s invited me and 9 other bloggers to Burlington, Vermont, where they are headquartered.
I flew there last week to sample their new vegan flavors and tour one of their factories. Today I’m going to tell you all about it.
Here’s a video re-cap of Ben and Jerry’s vegan ice cream + factory tour:
The ice cream
It took 18 months & over 50 versions to develop these frozen desserts. All of the ingredients are certified non-GMO, fair trade, and vegan. Ben and Jerry’s vegan ice creams are part of their goal to reduce their carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050.
As their non-dairy sales increase, they hope to offer more vegan options. (Update: Since this post, Ben & Jerry’s has added more non-dairy flavors. More details below!)
The ice creams have an almond base, which is ideal for a neutral flavor that lets the inclusions shine. In addition to almond milk, the base also includes coconut oil and pea protein to give the ice creams a full-bodied quality and mouth-feel.
After talking to fans, they got the message that people wanted non-dairy ice creams that replicated old familiar favorites along with new flavors that would be exclusive for them.
Here are Ben and Jerry’s vegan ice cream flavors:
- PB & Cookies – My fave. This vanilla ice cream is packed with chocolate sandwich cookies and generous swirls of peanut butter. This is the kind of ice cream that makes you want to just keep digging for more chunks of deliciousness.
- Coffee Caramel Fudge – This is my second favorite. The notes of coffee don’t overwhelm, and the caramel swirl has a fabulous pull and gooeyness that is the highlight of this ice cream.
- Chunky Monkey – This classic flavor is made with banana non-dairy ice cream with chocolate fudge and walnuts. I don’t think I ever had Chunky Monkey in my non-vegan days, and banana isn’t a big draw for me dessert-wise. This ice cream wasn’t bad, but it didn’t feel like as much of an indulgence as the first two flavors.
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie – This was my least favorite of the line-up. The brownies in this ice cream, made by New York company, Greyston Bakery, are easily the best part. Lots of dense chocolaty brownie bites highlight how the flavor of the ice cream is lacking.
New Ben and Jerry’s vegan flavors from 2017:
- Caramel Almond Brittle
- Cherry Garcia
- Coconut 7-Layer Bar
Where can you find them?
The ice creams are out now! You can find them at Target, in the health market of Hy-Vee, and at most natural grocery stores. Keep an eye on these non-dairy ice creams wherever Ben and Jerry’s is sold.
The PB & Cookie is available by the scoop in scoop shops, and the other non-dairy flavors are available there by the pint.
Making our own non-dairy ice cream
Carlo, Paul, me, and Madeline
While we were there, we got to see on a micro scale how flavor development works by creating flavors of our own just for fun with the help of Ben & Jerry’s experts, Kirsten & Paul. We broke into small groups to create 8-pint batches of ice cream using our choice of add-ins.
After we created our unique ice creams, we pitched them to Ben and Jerry’s staff, got their feedback, and even designed a poster for our new flavors.
Ben and Jerry’s factory tour
(After years of knowing each other online, Becky & I finally got to meet in person!)
We also had a chance to tour one of their factories to see how their ice cream is made on a large scale. It was interesting to see how the move is made from concept to reality.
After watching from afar, we suited up in hairnets, jackets, and work boots to visit the manufacturing floor.
Tasting our way through Vermont
While we were in Vermont, Ben and Jerry’s treated us well – putting us up at the modern Hotel Vermont, where they arranged vegan room service (a very rare thing).
I couldn’t believe my good luck when I was able to order a soy latte brought to my room, along with a breakfast burrito one morning and a hempseed patty with fingerling potatoes the next day.
One night, we gathered in a conference room for a multi-course all-vegan meal prepared by the hotel chef. The smoked sweet potato soup and fried cauliflower were particularly wow-worthy.
Jenné from Sweet Potato Soul
I asked if these vegan options would be available to other guests, and they said they always have at least one vegan option listed on their restaurant menu. Plus, the chef is happy to whip something up upon request.
I recommend calling ahead and letting them know that you’re interested in vegan options.
We ventured to local vegan restaurant, Pingala Café & Eatery, one evening for a catered dinner. We were able to try a variety of things to many yums all around.
We also had catered vegan lunches from Stowe Street Café (the veganized falafel wraps above) & Stone Soup (where I also nabbed a reuben one day for lunch).
Final notes
Even people in my life who aren’t vegan and never venture into natural food stores have taken a real, serious interest in these new non-dairy ice creams.
While there are plenty of tasty vegan treats already on the market, I’m always happy to see non-vegans getting excited about plant-based options. Hopefully they will displace the animal foods in their diets, and show that being vegan is delicious and entirely doable.
Plus, these desserts meet people where they are, as they can be found in chain stores right alongside their dairy counterparts in addition to specialty markets. People won’t have to wander off into the faraway health market to find a more compassionate alternative.
I hope that Ben and Jerry’s vegan ice cream flavors sell well, and that more companies will see that vegan options are the way of the future.
Dianne says
Looks like so much fun!
Cadry says
Thanks, Dianne! It was a blast! I wish you’d been there. 🙂
Heather says
Ahhhh you went one of our all time favorite places // BURLINGTON!!!! Justin and I travel there at least once a year and we had the chance to stay at the Hotel Vermont last year and loved it! Pingala is one of our favorite stops while we are in the city and the view is so pretty in the spring + summer when dining outside. We are only about 2 1/2 hours away so the trip is easy to make 🙂 Plus we always make time for the Magic Hat Brewery in South Burlington 😉
Cadry says
Burlington is really cute! It reminded me a lot of Madison, Wisconsin and Iowa City, Iowa, but with mountains. I loved Hotel Vermont. I’d definitely stay there again. The whole aesthetic is very CB2, and I think it’s great that bike rental & snow shoes are included with your hotel stay. I didn’t get a chance to use either of those amenities, but it would be a fun way to explore. It was dark when we visited Pingala, and so I’ll have to go back when we can see the view and dine outside.
Tracey says
Seem that the Cookies flavor is the fav amongst all the people that have seemed to review it so far.
Cadry says
Yes, that seems to be the crowd favorite, but Coffee Caramel Fudge is getting a lot of good feedback as well.
SFerd says
Totally agree those are the best flavors. I didn’t bother with Chunky Monkey because fruit ice cream–no thanks! I was most disappointed in the Chocolate Fudge Brownie (I used to love the dairy version years ago)–it seemed too ‘one note’ for me. In fact, our initial pint is still in the freezer.
FYI–here in Northern Colorado, we’ve only found the vegan B&J at Super Target. It’s also at our local scoop shop (about $1 more per pint than Target). Frustrating it has taken so long to show up at grocery stores.
Cadry says
I hear you on the Chunky Monkey, SFerd. I’ve seen other people online who have absolutely loved it, but to me, it has the taste of banana candy. So Delicious just came out with a new cashew-based chocolate cookies and cream flavor that you might like. The chocolate is a lot more well-rounded and less like the chocolate in a protein shake. Any time that a pint lingers in the freezer, that’s not a good sign. 🙂
Have you asked your local grocery store to carry Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy flavors? I’ve had a lot of luck with that when I ask the manager or buyer. If they’re already carrying Ben & Jerry’s, it should be easy for them to acquire.
SFerf says
I have, actually. They said they have no control over what B&J’s sends them. The woman actually called B&J’s about it for me. The B&J rep said to check Target.
I saw the SD Chocolate Cookies & Cream & am interested in trying it. The new SD Snickerdoodle is really good. My hubby isn’t as big a fan of chocolate as I am and really loves that one.
Cadry says
Oh, wow. I’m so surprised by that! What a bummer.
Yes, the So Delicious Snickerdoodle is great. It’s my favorite of their flavors.
Bianca says
I’M SO JEALOUS OF YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW!!! Amazing. Just amazing. PB & Cookies is my fave of the two I tried at B&J’s this weekend. I also had a bite of my friend’s chocolate fudge brownies, and it was just okay. But I’m not really a chocolate ice cream fan. I can’t wait to try the chunky monkey (I LOVE banana!) and the coffee one.
Cadry says
It was a really fun time. I wish you’d been there! It had some of that Vida Vegan Con/Adult Camp kind of feeling to it. Lots of eating and blog talk! I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the other flavors. The PB & Cookies and Coffee Caramel Fudge are the ones I imagine keeping in my freezer.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Ohh I was SO jealous when I saw you were not only in Vermont, but also getting to try out the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! I kept frantically trying to see if it’s in my stores here in Milwaukee yet, but no such luck :/ Loved this recap Cadry!
Cadry says
I didn’t get to see as much of Vermont as I would have liked, but that’s all the more reason to go back. It was very pretty and quaint. I can only imagine how great it must look in the fall! Hopefully it won’t take too long until the new flavors arrive in Milwaukee. I’m glad you enjoyed the recap!
Caitlin says
Wow that looks like so much fun and good food in just a few days!! I’m so jealous!!! I don’t know how long I’ll have to wait to try these flavours but I think they will make a killing here in Spain… The range of non-dairy ice cream flavours is SO far behind other places. Even in the vegan supermarket all I’ve found is vanilla, chocolate and strawberry! Nothing as exciting as PB cookie chunk or coffee caramel!! Those sound so amazing!
Cadry says
Yes, they really packed the days full! I woke up last Monday at 3:45 a.m. to catch my flight, and it felt like I didn’t stop until I was back in Iowa at 9:30 PM on Wednesday. A short trip, but they made the most of it. It makes me want to go back again to Vermont when I can see more of it. Plus, it’s within an easy drive of Montreal, which would be fun to visit.
Hopefully it won’t take Ben & Jerry’s too long to get non-dairy flavors outside of the U.S. It took 18 months to develop the flavors. Since they have the flavors sorted, it should take less time than that for them to be available elsewhere, assuming they sell well here.
Caitlin says
Wow, that’s a short trip! Based on all the pictures I thought you were there longer – that is a lot in a few days! Vermont is beautiful, I spent the summer there once (Middlebury), it’s worth another visit! I’d love to go to Montreal, I wanted to go when I was in Vermont and planned a trip with a few friends but the one who was going to drive forgot his passport (oops!).
Hope so, fingers crossed on both counts!
diana @ veggienextdoor says
I’m dying to know what flavor YOU created!
Cadry says
I was working with Carlo from Food Duo and Madeline from A Graduated Kitchen. Immediately, Carlo had the idea for an ice cream with fig swirls called Figeddaboudit. He loves puns, lives in NY, and often sees the Fuhgeddaboudit street sign there. Madeline is a big ginger fan. Ben and Jerry’s had lots of possible add-ins, including a ginger jam. So then we had to find something crunchy to connect both of those things that was available for use. We went with toasted slivered almonds.
Ben & Jerry’s made things interesting by having it be a little competition between the groups. The group that won made a peach bourbon ice cream with caramel swirls, pecans, and pretzel pieces. It was really good!
Kittee Bee says
So Fun! They used to make a really great vegan chocolate sorbet back in the day– they ended up pulling. It broke my heart. I hope these stick around…
xo
kittee
Cadry says
Oh, that’s so interesting, Kittee! I had no idea that they’d ventured into the realm of non-dairy before. I’m surprised they didn’t mention that. It’s always a bummer when you fall in love with a product and then it disappears. With all of the buzz these new non-dairy ice creams are getting, I’m hopeful that they’ll stick around and expand their options.
Tracey says
So excited about this! The factory was not far from where I used to – one of my favorite places to spend the day. Thank you so much for the write-up!
Cadry says
The area around the factory was beautiful! As a person who lives in a flat state, I really soaked up being surrounded by all of those mountains. I’d love to go back again when I can explore the area more. Thanks for the nice comment, Tracey!
Joann says
Looks like a fun trip. Lots o’ vegan food! I’m jealous of your new ice cream flavours. I wonder where Canada fits into their launch timeline?
Jo
Cadry says
Yes, we never went hungry, that’s for sure! Ben and Jerry’s did a great job of making sure all of the vegans were well fed. I appreciate that!
That’s a really good question about Canada. I’m not sure if Canada is supplied by the factory in the U.S. or the one in Norway. It would seem logical that it would be the one in the U.S. since that factory is so close to Canada. If that’s the case, it shouldn’t take too long. But it seems like Canada’s restrictions (like with Field Roast) can get complicated. So who knows? I wish I was more of a help!
Joann @ Woman In Real Life says
Yeah, I think it would come from the U.S. But we often get products much later. 🙁 I’m sure there are a number of complications from the government! Thanks.
Shell says
I love the video! It reminds me of something we would have put together when we were little, except much more professional of course! The ice cream looks amazing. Thank you for introducing us to their new flavors.
Cadry says
Thanks, Shell! I think the video was really lacking in haunted music boxes and killer pizza delivery men to truly live up to our childhood videos. Plus, no Patsy Cline? What the heck? But I appreciate the sentiment. 🙂
Sophia @veggiesdontbite says
What a fun fun trip!! I can’t wait to give the flavors a try. I haven’t seen them at my Target yet, but keeping an eye out. I love that you met some online friends too!!
Cadry says
It was such a fun time! I look forward to visiting Vermont again when I can see more of the area. It was also a treat meeting and spending time with new & longtime blogging friends. It was a great group of people.
I hope you’ll be able to try the new flavors sometime soon. They haven’t shown up at my Target yet either, but luckily, one grocery store chain has them.
Little Vegan Bear says
Wow, looks like an amazing trip – they treated you guys well, vegan room service! The food they provided looks really nice and well thought out too. I’m so excited about these Ben and Jerry’s flavours, hopefully they send them out to us over in Australia pretty quick sticks too as we will all be hanging out to try them.
Cadry says
Yes, they really thought of everything. I have to admire the time, effort, and attention to detail that they put into the trip. One thing is for certain, we were never hungry!
I hope it won’t be too long until the non-dairy flavors reach your neck of the woods!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
This looks like such an awesome trip! I really enjoyed reading your article, Cadry, and I can’t wait to try these new vegan flavors!! 🙂
Cadry says
Thanks, Sina! They packed a lot of fun & ice cream into those 3 days. It was a great time, and I’m glad that you enjoyed the post!
Jess says
Um, first of all, I LOVED your video – I felt like you were right here chatting in my living room with me! (That would be all kinds of awesome by the way.) What a fabulous experience you had, how lucky of you to have been asked there to Vermont! It sounds like an all around amazing time and I’m so looking forward to when these vegan flavours are released in the great white north.
Cadry says
Yay! Thanks for the warm words, Jess! I’m glad you liked the video, and I’ll be happy to reenact it if I should ever find my way to your living room. 😉 It was such a fun trip and a great experience all around. They really thought of everything to make all of us comfortable and right at home. Hopefully it won’t be too long until you’re able to sample the new non-dairy flavors!