Every year, Graeter’s, the Cincinnati-born, oldest, continuously family-owned ice-cream makers in the country, reveals a mystery flavor for limited sale during the Spring. This year, the highly anticipated concoction is Orange & Cream, a throwback to old-school tradition both in flavoring and method.
“This flavor is an homage to… all who love this classic flavor combination,” says Graeter’s fourth-generation owner Bob Graeter. “We wanted to share this part of our heritage [with] a new generation of Graeter’s fans.”
So, like they’ve been doing for some 143 years, Graeter’s set out to make their 2013 mystery offering with sweet cream, milk, orange juice purée, and annatto for color. Their ice-cream is made in two-gallon batches in French pot freezers to guarantee freshness, and can be bought by the scoop or the pint.
The flavor is nice and smooth, and not nearly as tart as one might expect (or hope?). The cream tempers the citrus well here, and on a hot day, one can imagine this being just the thing to cool from the inside out. It’s luscious and rich, the kind of thing you would have expected to get from an old-time soda shoppe or family diner.
And that’s appropriate, as this year, Graeter’s is celebrating the artisan ice-creamier: the ones who swirl small batches of the frozen treat by hand, who give individual attention to every ingredient of a small batch, who pack pints one at a time. Orange & Cream is a love song to those artists, and the ones who love their work.
“[This is a] nostalgic flavor handcrafted with passion and pride,” says Chip Graeter, another fourth-generation member of the Graeter’s family. “Orange & Cream typifies what we’re all about”.
This flavor will only be available through May or while supplies last, so hurry into your nearest Graeter’s shop for your scoop today. To find a location, visit www.graeters.com.
