Only a few days after discovering this small Brooklyn-based ice cream company in my local Earth Fare, Phin & Phebes added two new flavors to their five existing ones. Peanutty Pretzel and Dark Chocolate Salty Caramel joined the likes of Banana Whama, Coconut Key Lime, Ginger Snap Cookie, Vanilla Cinnamon and Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Luckily for me, Phin & Phebes generously gifted me a five-pint shipment of their products; including the two latest releases. Although the combination of peanut butter and pretzels isn’t a new concept when it comes to ice cream, the description on their website shined a new light on this classic combination. They describe their peanut butter ice cream with chocolate covered pretzel bits as, “Some things are just meant to be together. We combined creamy peanut butter ice cream with slightly salty pretzels covered in chocolate to form the Bermuda Triangle of ice cream flavors.”
This super premium, 14% butterfat peanut butter ice cream contains 250 calories per serving; an even 1000 calories for the entire pint. With the top removed, the first layer of this peanut butter base is off-white in color and shows flecks of the chocolate and pretzel that chipped off during the churning process. My first bite is mild, sweet and avoids the saltiness normally associated with peanut butter. Phin & Phebes is able to balance out the overpowering nature of the main ingredient inside; providing a suitable foundation for a salty mix-in. Peanutty Pretzel melts down slowly and brings a unique texture thanks to the crumbs that have fallen off the covered pretzels. Although they aren’t quite as plentiful as the mix-ins found in pints from other manufacturers, it isn’t long before I begin to run into the chocolate covered pretzel bits scattered about.
Soon after breaking the surface I was met by a steady influx of these multi-talented mix-ins. The elongated pretzel sticks have a thin chocolate coating that provides a wide array of tastes and textures. The bits contain a light, crunchy feel that ends with a rich finish due to the chocolate glaze on the outside. When contrasted against the sweet, peanut butter ice cream, the result is a simple yet effective combination of classic flavors. An accompanying swirl or slightly larger pretzel pieces could have given Peanutty Pretzel the push needed to receive an A, but still remains worthy of seeking out and sampling for yourself.
Where I Found It: Phin & Phebes Shipment (also available here)
Grade: B
