Following my recent move to Asheville, NC, I was disappointed to discover the closest Publix Super Market was now over an hour away. Santa's White Christmas and Deep Dish Apple Pie had both been impressive for a generic option, and considering the intriguing limited-edition flavors Publix has been pumping out recently, I made sure to bring a cooler the next time I knew I'd be close to one. Following a tip from a fellow ice cream connoisseur, I decided to pull the trigger on the combination of sea salt caramel, mini caramel cups and caramel ice cream known as Caramel Coast Getaway. The description sounded strikingly similar to Talenti's Sea Salt Caramel so I was interested to see how this would stack up against the stout caramel competition currently available.
Caramel Coast Getaway clocks in at 190 calories per serving; much less than many of the caramel ice creams available from other companies. The first layer was a light-beige color, and although it showed small signs of the sea salt caramel swirl underneath, all the mini-caramel cups were effectively hidden. The ice cream was dense enough to require some extra effort when scooping some from the carton to the bowl, but as I would soon find out, it would be well worth it. The caramel ice cream is able to come surprisingly close to the same velvety consistency found in Sea Salt Caramel from Talenti, despite being an ice cream and not a gelato. The smooth, caramel flavoring doesn't incorporate any saltiness, but concentrates mostly on the natural sweetness; letting its superior consistency steal the show. The thick stripes of sea salt caramel swirl contrasts nicely with the base ice cream; providing a beautiful balance of sweet and salty.
The final component of Caramel Coast Getaway comes in the form of the mini caramel cups. Where Sea Salt Caramel from Talenti utilized chocolate-coated caramel truffles, this flavor continues to build on the caramel concept. Publix Premium has taken a soft, gooey caramel center and coated them in a soft, buttery caramel-coating; the perfect accompaniment to the ice cream and swirl that surrounds them. Each ingredient could easily stand alone, but when enjoyed together, this is above and beyond what I expected from a supermarket produced ice cream. If you have a Publix nearby, I highly suggest taking a Caramel Coast Getaway before this limited-edition is pulled from the freezer.
Where I Found It: Publix Super Markets
Grade: A
