The second batch of generously gifted Salt and Straw ice cream was not ice cream. Maybe it was in the same sense that there are a number of commercially available milks for sale these days that at no point in their production involve an actual milkable mammal, but not in the sense that it was tasty in the way real ice cream is, which, I think could be safely argued, is the entire point and sole reason for ice cream. It was all vegan made without the assistance of dairy or any other animal affiliated product. I'm generally anti-vegan ice cream because of a history of trying crummy vegan ice creams, and in that sense this batch did not disappoint. Overall they were actually better than I anticipated, but in the end only marginally so. There was one flavor that was surprisingly good, but unfortunately not surprisingly good enough to be worthy of the title "ice cream."
- Peanut Strawberry Crumble (vegan)
Me: Why pair peanuts with strawberries? Has anyone ever asked for this?
Pass
Liz: Couldn't taste any strawberry. Peanut flavor was ok.
3/10
- Banana Avocado Sorbet (vegan)
Me: Tasted like baby food. Excuse me, baby food that was frozen and sold as dessert.
2/10
Liz: Kind of just bland. No tartness or sweetness or anything.
2/10
- Bourbon & Caramelized Honeycomb (vegan)
Me:Surprisingly good. Enjoyable "honeycomb" flavor, and, sure, I can believe something like bourbon in it. Still a bit grainy-textured like most vegan "ice cream," but I will admit I had it a second time. Not a third time, though.
6/10.
Liz: I remember it was ok, but just not as good as dairy ice cream.
4/10.
- Coconut Rice Pudding (vegan)
Me: Like an icey grainy dessert I'd get at a Thai restaurant. Not bad per se, but not something I'd order. Except when at a Thai restaurant choosing amongst a handful of desserts I'm feeling generally ambivalent about.
5/10
Liz: Don't remember it.
?/10
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies & Cream (vegan)
Me:
I vaguely remember thinking, "well this isn't as disappointing as I was worried it would be."
4.5/10
Liz: <had given up by this point.>
Pass
