It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to profile a small-scale ice cream operation, but following an email from a reader of our blog, I had to make the time to share the story of a certain food cart out in Oregon. Usually sitting right across from Portland’s famous Voodoo Donuts, Mix ‘N’ Match Creamery serves custom ice cream creations with a slight twist. Rather than bringing a cart full of pre-made flavors, they prepare your order right in front of you using liquid nitrogen to bring everything together.
Their website breaks down the process a little better by explaining, “Mix & Match Ice Cream is where science and deliciousness meet. With a blast of liquid nitrogen, kept at a frosty -320 degrees, each order is made to your particular flavor request. Forget 32 flavors, at Mix & Match you can create millions of flavor combinations. All created in an entertaining and exciting way, right before your eyes! The liquid nitrogen freezes everything so fast that large crystals of ice don't form, and therefore, our ice cream is a level of smooth and creamy only dreamed of by lesser mortals. We also don't add any emulsifiers or bonding agents, additives, or preservatives. Ice cream just like Grandma used to make, if your Grandma was a space monster capable of shooting liquid nitrogen out her tentacles. Organic goodness powered by science.”
Much like some of the custom ice cream shops around the country, Mix ‘N’ Match Creamery offers a seemingly endless amount of combinations. Looking over the available options, I’d probably go with a large, premium milk base featuring gingerbread and marshmallow cream. If you’ve checked out Mix ‘N’ Match first hand, please share your experience!
