When Graeter's sent me a cooler full of goodies, there was no doubt which pint was going to be the first to go. Soon after discovering that this limited edition flavor was being released for the Fall season, as well as trying a few other pumpkin-inspired offerings, this had catapulted to the top of my most wanted list. Originally titling this flavor Pumpkin Pie, Graeter's decided to drop the last part of the name in favor of just Pumpkin considering this is a base only offering with no pie crust pieces or whipped cream swirls inside.
I was a bit disappointed to find out I wouldn't get to taste any of Graeter's amazing mix-ins, but the fact that they claim to use authentic pumpkin pie filling directly in their French pot churning technique has me hopeful this can compete with flavors packing a more complete list of ingredients. At only 270 calories per serving, this isn't anywhere near the top as far as high-fat flavors from Graeter's are concerned, but remains pretty heavy for just a straightforward base. Popping off the lid uncovers a first layer that looks similar to vanilla, with only the slight orange hue hinting at it's true identity.
Digging my spoon deep inside for my first bite, the denseness is unprecedented. Even though there aren't any colossal chocolate chips or a plethora of pie crust pieces to wade through, it still takes a decent amount of effort to pull an entire spoonful out of the pint. With hardly any air incorporated during the manufacturing process, along with the high butterfat content, Graeter's Pumpkin lingers much longer than others before breaking down. Once I've wrapped my head around the superior consistency, I can focus on the interesting approach they've taken with incorporating pumpkin into this Fall flavor. Leaving the more aggressive, overly spiced tastes of pumpkin to brands like Publix Premium and Turkey Hill, Graeter's has decided to utilize a more subtle method.
They don't rely on cinnamon and sugar to mask the flavors of the actual pumpkin, but instead blend together just the right amount of sweetness and spices to help compliment the existing natural flavors of real pumpkins. By taking this simple technique, Graeter's allows the inside of the orange gourd to be the star of the dish, instead of being overpowered. Not only does the simplicity of the creation allow full concentration on the centerpiece of the flavor, but also allows appreciation of the French pot process along the way. The result is a smooth, velvety ice cream that others just aren't able to impersonate.
Taking some advice from Graeter's website that reminds us, "Don’t forget the whipped cream!" I tried a bit with some fresh whipped cream I had been looking for an excuse to use. The combination left me imagining the possibilities if they had decided to include whipped cream and pie crust, but simplicity is appreciated on this blog, and Graeter's approaches this flavor with a purist mindset. When you're at the top of the ice cream consistency charts, as Graeter's is, even simple offerings like this one end up with a high ranking.
Where I Found It: Graeter's Online Store
Grade: B
