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    Ohio’s Own: Toft’s Dairy Ice Cream

    According to the internet, Toft’s lays claim to the status of Ohio’s Oldest Dairy. It’s got a history in Northern Ohio that reaches back to the early 1900s with a raw milk wagon that made the rounds in Sandusky. As the years rolled by, the wagon’s empire expanded and so did its offerings. Today, it might be better known for its ice cream parlor that features more than 70 flavors.

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    As luck would have it, the dairy has distribution networks throughout Ohio. That means you can find Toft’s Ice Cream here in Columbus. The results of an obsessive Google Search indicated that local Walmarts (of all places) carry Toft’s, too. Perhaps not all 70 flavors, but there were plenty of options and a selection big enough to test drive a couple of it is flavor lines: One Quality and Prime Time.

    The One Quality wares are sold in the old-school half-gallon boxes. Let’s start with a point of information: You don’t see a lot of half-gallon boxes any more. Big ice cream makers (looking at you, Breyers) typically sell boxes in the 1.5 quart size. That’s 25% less joy than Toft’s half-gallon. 

    So, we’re off to a good start. Most of the One Quality flavors seem to lean towards the classic end, such as Tin Roof and Cherry Vanilla. Peanut Butter Cup is a particularly good exemplar: Creamy, traditional chocolate ice cream with thick swirls of unadulterated peanut butter; firm with its touch of salt that plays so nicely with the soft, sweet chocolate. 

    Or, for funkier fare, there are Toft’s Prime Time flavors. While these variants embrace the 1.5 quart packaging size, they also offer some more unique flavors. Consider Peanut Butter Cheesecake, or Chocolate Cookie Mint Madness, OR…Feelin’ Dangerous: The moniker is a hat tip to the Browns QB. It takes the aforementioned PB Cup flavor combo, and enhances it with brownie chunks and peanut butter cups. Score.

    For a road trip, you can drive up to Sandusky and check out the whole Toft’s parlor. Or, do an inventory search on a local Walmart. More information here: toftdairy.com.

    Photo by Miriam Bowers Abbott
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    Miriam Bowers Abbott
    Miriam Bowers Abbotthttps://columbusunderground.com
    Miriam Bowers Abbott is a freelancer contributor to Columbus Underground who reviews restaurants, writes food-centric featurettes and occasionally pens other community journalism pieces.
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