Cara McManus
Cara McManus, our intrepid reporter/summer intern takes an in-depth look at ice cream flavors.
Picking an ice cream flavor can seem so easy from the vantage point of your couch. Or your car or basically anywhere that isn’t an ice cream parlor. But when you get to the actual shop, and are consequently faced with the daunting list of what appears to be thousands of flavors, that easy task turns into a complicated science with no clear conclusion.
Fortunately, employees from Falmouth’s numerous ice cream parlors graciously took the time to match their flavors with a variety of superlative awards. The result is an easy formula for solving the problem of what flavor to pick–simply identify the award that most closely matches your current situation, and order the corresponding flavor!
For geographical purposes, the four participating ice cream parlors represent four different villages in Falmouth–Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium in Falmouth center, Eulinda’s Ice Cream in West Falmouth, Holy Cow Ice Cream in North Falmouth, and Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream in East Falmouth.
Isabella DiPietro of Lynnfield and Meganzett and Jack Pendergast of North Falmouth, both 16, are scoopers at Holy Cow Ice Cream in North Falmouth.
The first superlative was awarded by each participating business to the “Most Under-Appreciated Flavor.” Try these flavors if you’re looking for something new, but delicious. Ben and Bill’s quickly settled on Mocha Chip. Eulinda’s, after some thought, decided on Maple Walnut. Holy Cow went with Chocolate, suggesting that it is unfairly passed over as a so-called humdrum flavor. Smitty’s nominated Mint-Oreo.
The second award went to the “Most Kid-Friendly Flavor.” These flavors are the answer for kids, or anyone with a desire to re-visit childhood. Ben and Bill’s went with Cotton Candy. Eulinda’s decided on Green Monster–a mint-based ice cream with oreo and fudge swirl. Holy Cow also settled on Cotton Candy, while Smitty’s, in a self-admitted strange twist, went with Coffee-Oreo. Since when do kids like coffee?
David Hathaway of West Falmouth enjoys his scoop of Maine Black Bear ice cream, while his wife Jane looks on. The two are regulars at Eulinda’s Ice Cream in West Falmouth, where scoopers ranked Maine Black Bear the most unique flavor.
Next was the “It’s Raining But Let’s Get Ice Cream Anyway” award, for those dreary summer days when ice cream seems like the best way to cheer yourself up. Ben and Bill’s nominated Salted Caramel. Eulinda’s opted for Mint Chip. Holy Cow went with the most indulgent flavor on their list, Chocolate Peanut Butter. Smitty’s took a similar route, eventually deciding on Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
For those wishing to try something new and exciting, the next superlative was awarded to the “Most Taste-Tested Flavor.” Ben and Bill’s, as anyone who has visited before will predict, went with Lobster–a butter-based ice cream with actual lobster chunks. Eulinda’s settled on the aptly named Purple Cow–black raspberry yogurt with both white and dark chocolate chips. Holy Cow (which doesn’t carry a similar ice cream, thus rendering any store name/flavor name jokes impossible) nominated Caramel Pretzel. Smitty’s chose an equally interesting combination in Caramel Pecan.
The Sellers sisters of West Falmouth, Paige, 19 and Rebekah, 16, are summer scoopers at Eulinda’s Ice Cream in West Falmouth.
Any similar list on Cape Cod would be incomplete without a “Most Senior Citizen-Friendly Flavor” award. Ben and Bill’s couldn’t decide between Maple Walnut and Rum Raisin, a trend that continued with the other participants. Eulinda’s went with Frozen Pudding, a rum-based ice cream with dried fruit. Holy Cow chose Maple Walnut. Smitty’s also chose Frozen Pudding.
The next award was for the “Most Unique Flavor,” a shout-out to anyone craving originality. Ben and Bill’s again nominated their Lobster ice cream, for obvious reasons. Eulinda’s went with Maine Black Bear, a red raspberry-based ice cream with red raspberry truffles. Holy Cow enthusiastically decided on Heavenly Hash–chocolate ice cream with marshmallow swirls, peanut chunks, and chocolate chunks. Smitty’s, after careful consideration, chose Ginger.
The final award went to the flavor with the most team spirit, so to speak–the “‘Epitome of Cape Cod’ Flavor.” This category is for either the ultimate tourist, or the most patriotic Cape Cod resident. Ben and Bill’s went with their Cape Cod Cranberry flavor: vanilla ice cream with walnuts, cranberries, and chocolate chips. It’s not available all the time, but when it is, it deserves this superlative hands down. Eulinda’s chose Black Raspberry. Holy Cow, originally at a loss, followed a hunch to nominate Moose Tracks. And Smitty’s settled on Cape Cod Crunch, a vanilla base with grape nut crunch, cranberries, and chocolate chunks.
Eight scoopers at Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream in East Falmouth bustle around the shop on a busy Saturday night.
If none of these awards fits your current needs, you can take the advice of Falmouth High School Latin teacher Susan Twitchell, who is infamous at the High School for having the right answer to every question. Ms. Twitchell recommends Peppermint Stick ice cream above all others, and was spotted at Smitty’s purchasing that exact flavor.
Choosing an ice cream flavor may be a daunting task, but hopefully this awards list, compiled by the real experts (shop employees), will provide an adequate shortcut. Of course, after the flavor is picked, there’s always the problem of size, cup or cone, etcetera. But that’s for another time.
