Each year, members of The National Ice Cream Retailers Association, who make their own ice cream, submit samples of their ice cream to a professor of dairy science, prior to the Annual Convention, to be analyzed and compared to ice cream standards. This year Dr. Johnny McGregor, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina analyzed samples of vanilla, chocolate, and dark chocolate ice cream submitted by members of the association. A total of 20 vanilla samples, 10 chocolate, and four dark chocolate samples were submitted.
The ice cream is scored, according to color, texture, taste, bacterial count, and many other factors. Blue Ribbons are awarded to those scoring the highest marks, then Red Ribbons, and White Ribbons.
The following winners received their certificates at the Association’s 79th Annual Convention, held November 7-10, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Greenville, South Carolina:
VANILLA ICE CREAM
Blue Ribbons:
-Anderson’s Frozen Custard, Williamsville, New York
-Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co., Madison, Wisconsin
(Old Fashioned Vanilla)
-Double Dip, Lebanon, Ohio
-The Ice Cream Club, Boynton Beach, Florida
(Vanilla Bean)
-Queen City Creamery, Cumberland, Maryland
(Vanilla Frozen Custard)
Red Ribbons:
-Apple Valley Creamery, Sevierville, Tennessee
(French Vanilla Bean)
-Chaney’s Dairy Barn, Bowling Green, Kentucky
-Deters Frozen Custard Co., Quincy, Illinois
(French Vanilla Frozen Custard)
-Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream, Plano, Texas
(Homemade Vanilla)
-The Ice Cream Club, Boynton Beach, Florida
(Vanilla, French Vanilla)
-Scooptacular, Laveen, Arizona
(Vanilla Bean)
-Sno Top, Ltd., Manlius, New York
(Vanilla Ice Cream 10% Special)
-Spring Dipper, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas
(Vanilla Bean)
-Woodside Farm Creamery, Hockessin, Deleware
White Ribbons:
-King Cone, Plover, Wisconsin
(International Vanilla Café)
-Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream, Bonita Beach, Florida
(French Vanilla Bean)
CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Blue Ribbons:
-Anderson’s Frozen Custard, Williamsville, New York
-Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Madison, Wisconsin
-Double Dip, Lebanon, Ohio
(Dutch Chocolate)
-Queen City Creamery, Cumberland, Maryland
(Chocolate Frozen Custard)
-Woodside Farm Creamery, Hockessin, Deleware
Red Ribbons:
-Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream, Plano, Texas
-The Ice Cream Club, Boynton Beach, Florida
(Captain’s Chocolate)
-Scooptacular, Laveen, Arizona
-Sno Top, Ltd., Manlius, New York
(Chocolate 10%)
White Ribbons:
-Deters Frozen Custard Co., Quincy, Illinois
(Belgian Frozen Custard)
DARK CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Blue Ribbons:
-Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, Madison, Wisconsin
(Zanzibar)
-Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream, Bonita Springs, Florida
Red Ribbons:
-Apple Valley Creamery, Sevierville, Tennessee
(Smoky Mountain Fudge)
-Spring Dipper, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas
Next year the Ice Cream Clinic Review will examine vanilla and strawberry ice cream.
