When I received my latest shipment from Graeter's, Mint Cookies and Cream immediately caught my attention. This hand-packed looking pint was Graeter's lastest release, so naturally this would be my first victim. Blue Bell's Mint Cookies 'n Cream had only been a temporary fix for my recent, unquenchable thirst for mint ice creams, but remembering how incredible their standard Cookies & Cream flavor had been, I was confident Graeter's could surpass the competition. They've created their version by adding triple distilled peppermint oil via the French pot process, and like they did with Cookies & Cream, they've brought in authentic Oreo cookies to fill in the space between. In a recent email conversation with Graeter's, they informed me that, although most of their flavors are all natural, they've strayed from this practice by using Oreos, so they've also thrown in some green coloring for enhanced aesthetics.
Mint Cookies and Cream contains 260 calories per serving, which may sound like a lot, but is actually on the lighter side for the full-fat flavors Greater's typically produces. With the top removed, the first layer glows a light green and big chunks of Oreo cookie poke through the top. As I scoop out my first bite, the consistency is just as incredible as I remember. The dense, slow-melting base allows for full appreciation of the complexity that would soon follow. Graeter's mint ice cream leads with a strong hints of the familiar herb, but slowly starts to incorporate the sweetness of their ice cream mix and finally finishes with the richness of chocolate, thanks to the small bits of Oreo cookies that make their way into each spoon full. The cooling effect of this mint ice cream is a little above average, leaving your mouth feeling like a cool breeze has just passed through after each bite is fully dissolved.
In addition to a small amount of the Oreo cookies being involved in each bite, and much like in their standard Cookies & Cream, some of the cookie pieces look like they've been shoved in this pint without being broken up beforehand. On more than one occasion as I worked my way towards the bottom, I ran across pieces so large that they still had the cream filling sandwiched between the two chocolate cookies. These bites in particular catapulted Graeter's Mint Cookies and Cream way ahead of the competition. When you're already using a superior base ice cream, it's really not fair to use nearly full-sized, authentic Oreos. The end result is the best mint ice cream I've ever had. I suggest getting this one before it's gone.
Where I Found It: Graeter's Online Store
Grade: A
