Why Everyone Loves Grapenut Ice Cream
Are you scratching your head trying to figure out which part of the grape is the nut? Well, Grape-Nuts actually aren’t related to grapes, or nuts! They are a classic, healthy cereal made from wheat and barley, also sometimes called “grain nuts”. Their subtle sweetness and crumbly texture make Grape-Nuts a wonderful addition to many recipes. Grape-Nuts with ice cream was therefore an inevitable combination, mixing in the cereal to a creamy vanilla ice cream base.
The original Grape-Nuts cereal, created by the Post brand, first hit shelves in 1898. It was marketed as a health food, and customers were encouraged not just to have it with milk, but to incorporate it into savory recipes like meatloaves, and into their puddings.
In 1919, as one story goes, Hannah Young, a chef at the Palms restaurant in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, replaced the fruit in her ice cream recipe with Grape-Nuts, after running out of fruits to use. Later that year, the innovative ingredient was said to be a great cost effective alternative to nuts in ice cream!
Source: https://www.thrillist.com/
How does Grape-Nut ice cream taste?
An important step in making Grape-Nut ice cream is to mix in the cereal before the ice cream hardens. The strong malty flavor infuses the cream, and tinges the ivory vanilla just a little, leaning it gently towards brown. Also, the milk softens the cereal a bit, and you end up with a chewy bite of Grape-Nuts with every bit of ice cream. To keep it from getting too soggy, some sugar might be added to the cereal first.
The flavor is subtle, very vanilla but with something extra toasty. The barley is unmistakable though not overpowering, and the lightness of the vanilla still shines through. Grape-Nut is a wonderful flavor for adding a bunch of different toppings. Fresh Grape-Nut cereal pieces are often sprinkled on top, giving varying texture to the same flavor profile. Of course fruit and nuts (we’re talking about real nuts this time) or even caramel are great over top as well.
Where is Grape-Nut ice cream most popular?
Despite its origins in Canada, today Grape-Nut ice cream is especially popular in Jamaica. One writer chalks up its popularity there to the strong British influence in the Caribbean from former colonial ties. Grape-Nuts are otherwise best known in New England, and some southern American states like the Carolinas. However, its popularity in Caribbean ice cream shops is unbeatable, finding itself a best-seller in Caribbean ice cream shops across the US, especially among the Jamaican diaspora.
Where can you get a taste?
Island Pops of course! Grape-Nut is a staple on our menu and a favorite for sure! Its special but subtle taste makes a great second scoop for stacking different flavors on a cone or in a cup! We sell our Grape-Nut ice cream online, with shipping throughout the US, and in store at our shop in Brooklyn, New York!