Graeter's peach ice cream: Off the mark this year?

[Robin Garr]

Is it just me, or has Graeter's famous summer peach ice cream (available only in July and August) taken a distinct turn for the "meh" this year? Instead of rich, creamy ice cream laden with bites of fresh peach, this year's batch resembles frozen canned-peach puree. Have you tried it? What do you think?

Your description of this year's product is in-line with my feelings toward the product more generally. Never really understood the hype. Have not tried it in a number of years.

Watermelon sorbet is what I look forward to in regards to seasonal offerings.

I'm addicted to Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip. The other flavors are "nice" but not worth the tariff. Graeter's has undergone a lot of growth in recent years (new franchises/grocery store sales) and I cannot help but wonder if this has hurt quality.

Oddly enough, the Peach Ice Cream from Graeters we pick up at Kroger has big chunks of peach in it and the flavor is as good as always. I think the big problem is once you've had Comfy Cow ice cream everything else is 2nd rate. Does Comfy Cow do peach?

Robin, I'm with you! I was just saying yesterday "this isn't as good as I remember it"! I wasn't able to pinpoint the specific issue, but it just seemed kind of "tired". I've found a new fruity flavor though (because fruity ice cream is good for you, right?) Blueberry Pie! Blueberry ice cream with chunks of sugary crust. Give it a try.

I think the big problem is once you've had Comfy Cow ice cream everything else is 2nd rate. Does Comfy Cow do peach?

What Ed said +2. Although...

I'm addicted to Graeter's Black Raspberry Chip. The other flavors are "nice" but not worth the tariff.

Had a cup on Saturday night. Still excellent.

Shireman's Farm Market
2081 Highway 135 SW
Corydon, IN.

Tel: 812-738-1721

This place used to have some fantastic peach ice cream.

[Robin Garr]

Oddly enough, the Peach Ice Cream from Graeters we pick up at Kroger has big chunks of peach in it and the flavor is as good as always. I think the big problem is once you've had Comfy Cow ice cream everything else is 2nd rate. Does Comfy Cow do peach?

Ed, I think you're right on about Comfy Cow raising the bar.

Mary is absolutely certain that the Graeter's brand (picked up at their St. Matthews store) is different, though. The texture, even the color are different, and the chunks of peach taste like canned peaches.

This is Graeter's site for their Peach Ice Cream. I found it "interesting" that their nutritional information lists the ingredients, but no mention of peaches. Hmmmm.
BP

Graeter's bananna is my favorite flavor - I like better than Comfy Cow's bananna. Never had the peach but always heard raves from peach lovers regarding the seasonal flavor. Too bad if the quality is off this year - bad batch?

[Robin Garr]

Graeter's bananna is my favorite flavor - I like better than Comfy Cow's bananna. Never had the peach but always heard raves from peach lovers regarding the seasonal flavor. Too bad if the quality is off this year - bad batch?

I'll want more evidence, but my initial suspicion is that as the chain grows, they're moving over to more "efficient" production techniques.

I'll want more evidence, but my initial suspicion is that as the chain grows, they're moving over to more "efficient" production techniques.

Changing the production technique would mean they would have to change all of their advertising. I believe their "French pot" method is quite well defined and if it was changed very much it would be a different process. It's pretty much a hands on process so I wonder if part of the problem may be that they now have more people making it and thus more variation?

[Robin Garr]

I wonder if part of the problem may be that they now have more people making it and thus more variation?

Let's put it this way: They could keep the process but change the ingredients. All I know is that it's quite different from recent previous years, and not in a good way. My wife is so mad she wanted to take back the box with two scoops out of it and demand our money back. I talked her out of that.

I would go to the Graeter's shop and test that product for comparisons sake.

[Robin Garr]

I would go to the Graeter's shop and test that product for comparisons sake.

Please do! I'm seriously interested in comparison reports here.