There is little more rewarding when one needs to cool down from the effects of summer than a cold scoop of creamy ice cream. But this season, a new craze has emerged that is being fought over by ice cream enthusiasts around the globe—it’s called craft chocolate ice cream. The combination of the artisanal richness of chocolate with the creamy delight of ice cream is fast becoming the cure for anyone who needs to cool off seriously in style.
What Is Craft Chocolate Ice Cream?
Craft chocolate ice cream is not your typical chocolate ice cream. It’s a more refined take on a timeless flavor, manufactured using really good, small-batch chocolate. Mass-produced chocolate is made by prioritizing its cost; craft chocolate is made in very small batches with quality and distinctive flavor profiles in mind and a focus on sustainability. That level of quality comes through directly to the ice cream for a richer, deeper flavor of chocolate throughout the whole dessert experience.
Why Is Craft Chocolate Ice Cream on the Rise?
Craft chocolate ice cream has seen high surges in popularity lately. As consumers become ever more aware of what they are consuming, the appetite for premium, ethically sourced products is simply off the charts. Craft chocolate ice cream checks all those boxes, but it’s also fantastically tasty. Here’s why more people are reaching for a scoop:
Higher Quality: While commercial chocolate is mass-produced from hybrid cacao beans, craft chocolate is produced only from carefully selected cacao beans that have minimal processing. It follows that the end product contains the maximum amount of flavors and nutrients from the bean. As an ice cream ingredient, this produces a super dessert that is indulgent but richly complex in flavor.
Ethical sourcing: Has been and remains one of the most important factors that many craft chocolate manufacturers consider; of course, many of them operate under fair trade and direct trade. As a result, farmers who produce cacao are paid a good price and treated with humane conditions. When you consume the dessert through craft chocolate ice cream, you have peace of mind, knowing you are consuming something of the finest quality on earth and not harming a living soul, whether in its production or after its use.
Unique Flavors: Craft ice creams are mostly made using diverse varieties of chocolates, ranging from dark and bitter to sweet and creamy, thus able to offer a more individualized customer experience. In addition, most of the artisans try out unique flavors such as sea salt, chili, or espresso.
Artisanal Craftmanship: Handcrafted in limited batch sizes, every pint of craft chocolate ice cream is made with precision to achieve just the right flavor and texture. This craftsmanship process endows the ice cream with a quality level that can hardly be matched by mass producers.
How Craft Chocolate Ice Cream Is Made
Craft ice cream begins with the chocolate—without fillers or artificial ingredients that are included in so many manufactured sweets. Good-quality cacao beans, sugar, and sometimes a bit of vanilla are used to make craft chocolate, which is roasted, ground, and tempered for smooth, rich chocolate.
As the craft chocolate is done, it will mix with a rich, creamy ice cream base made of milk, cream, and sugar. It will give you that great, silky, smooth ice cream infused with the deep, intense flavors from the best premium chocolate. One can step it up even further by using chocolate chunks, swirls, or supplements with complementary other ingredients to add texture and complexity.
Craft Chocolate Ice Cream Pairing with Other Summer Treats
While craft chocolate ice cream is certainly wonderful on its own, it pairs beautifully with many summer treats. Here are a few ways you can enjoy this decadent dessert:
With Fresh Fruit: Craft chocolate ice cream plays nicely off the freshness of summer fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or cherries. Try using a scoop as an accompaniment to a bowl of mixed berries for an otherwise balanced and refreshing dessert.
In an ice cream sandwich: Enjoy the old summer classic by pitting craft chocolate ice cream with homemade cookies. Soft chocolate chip cookies or buttery shortbread are a good match, offering texture and flavor combinations bound to please your palate.
Topped with Whipped Cream: While the rich density of craft chocolate ice cream can easily be lightened with the airy texture of whipped cream, a sprinkle of shaved chocolate or cocoa nibs could also add a little luxury.
Pair it with Espresso: Transform your dessert into an indulgent affogato by dousing a scoop of artisanal chocolate ice cream with a shot of hot espresso. The melt from the coffee will gently dissolve the ice cream, thereby serving up a good dose of rich, bittersweet indulgence for coffee fanatics.
Where to Find Craft Chocolate Ice Cream
If you want to give this craft chocolate ice cream a shot, the good news is that you can. First off, several artisanal shops now offer this trendy flavor with their own twist. Local ice cream parlors, gourmet grocery stores, and specialty dessert shops can be approached to inquire about a place to get some. Some people even ship nationwide, so you can enjoy craft chocolate ice cream even when you are on the opposite side of the world.
Conclusion
Beat the heat of summer with this scoop of craft chocolate ice cream. Whether you’re an addict to chocolates or just in search of a new indulgence, this craft chocolate ice cream is sure to please. Prepared with superior quality, ethically sourced, and replete in flavor, the dessert-turned-outer comes to be a whole new experience itself. Next time you have a craving for something sweet, look to this trend and treat yourself to the best chocolate ice cream summer has in store.
