Bacon flavored ice cream is a novelty ice cream flavor that combines the salty, savory taste of bacon with the sweet, creamy taste of ice cream. While it may seem like an unusual combination, bacon flavored ice cream does indeed exist and has become popular in some niche ice cream shops and restaurants.
The Origins of Bacon Ice Cream
Bacon ice cream was invented in early 2000s by Justin Esch and Dave Lefever, two chefs at a restaurant called Jack’s Place in Ballard, Seattle. They experimented with creating new ice cream flavors using meats and came up with maple bacon ice cream. It quickly became their most popular flavor.
The craze spread to other restaurants likeHubbub Ice Cream in Philadelphia, which sells candied bacon ice cream. The founders were inspired after reading about Lefever and Esch’s bacon ice cream in Seattle. Blue Frog in various cities also sell bacon ice cream after being dared by customers to create the most unique flavor.
Soon, bacon flavored ice cream started appearing on menus at other restaurants too. The novelty and uniqueness made it popular. Ice cream companies also started experimenting with the flavor and selling it in stores.
How is Bacon Ice Cream Made?
There are a few different ways that bacon flavored ice cream can be made:
- Candied bacon pieces – Bits of bacon are cooked with brown sugar or maple syrup to caramelize it and make it sweet and crispy. The cooked bacon bits are then mixed into the ice cream.
- Bacon fat – Some recipes call for adding rendered bacon fat directly into the ice cream base before churning.
- Bacon extract – This concentrated bacon flavoring is added to the ice cream base.
- Maple smoked bacon – Smoking the bacon adds depth of flavor and then combining with maple balances the sweet and salty.
In addition to the bacon element, most recipes also contain extras like brown sugar, maple syrup, smoked salt or bourbon to complement the bacon taste.
What Does Bacon Ice Cream Taste Like?
The first reaction most people have to the concept of bacon flavored ice cream is that it sounds unappealing. However, those who work up the courage to try it are often surprised by the taste.
The saltiness and smokiness of the bacon combines with the sweet creaminess of the ice cream to create an unexpected harmony of flavors. The crisp and chewy bacon bits add great texture contrast too. It has been described as salty, sweet, smoky, and rich.
The maple smoked varieties often taste like breakfast, evoking flavors of pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. The candied bacon versions are less smoky and highlight the sweet, salty, and umami notes.
Restaurants and Stores Selling Bacon Ice Cream
Here are some places where you can try bacon flavored ice cream:
| Restaurant/Store | Location |
|---|---|
| Salt & Straw | Portland, OR |
| Voodoo Doughnut | Portland, OR |
| Umpqua | Multiple locations |
| Nicky’s Ice Cream | New York City, NY |
| Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream | New York City, NY |
| OddFellows Ice Cream | Multiple locations |
Bacon ice cream can also be found at gourmet grocery stores or made at home with recipes shared online. Some brands selling it include Coolhaus, Alden’s Organic, and Holy Cow.
Is Bacon Ice Cream Just a Gimmick?
Since bacon ice cream is such an unusual combination, some initially dismissed it as merely a gimmick. However, while the uniqueness and novelty may have kickstarted the trend, there are good reasons why bacon ice cream has persisted in popularity:
- It provides an incredible blend of contrasting salty-sweet and savory-creamy flavors that balance each other.
- The crisp bacon bits add excellent texture to the otherwise smooth ice cream.
- It showcases how two seemingly incompatible ingredients can come together nicely.
- The smokiness and umami of bacon enhances the overall flavor profile.
- The familiarity of both bacon and ice cream makes it intriguing yet approachable to try.
While it originated as an experimental flavor, bacon ice cream has proven itself as more than just a one note gimmick. The combination highlights and elevates the flavors of both components.
Nutrition Facts of Bacon Ice Cream
Since bacon ice cream contains regular ice cream along with bacon, it is high in calories, fat, and sodium:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1/2 cup serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220-280 |
| Total Fat | 14-18g |
| Saturated Fat | 8-12g |
| Sodium | 115-350mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 24-32g |
| Protein | 3-5g |
It can pack 20-30% or more of your daily recommended amount of saturated fat and sodium per serving. So enjoy it in moderation as an occasional indulgence.
Other Meat Flavored Ice Creams
The success of bacon ice cream has paved the way for experiments with other meat flavored ice creams as well:
- Prosciutto – This Italian dry cured ham adds a deliciously salty, savory flavor.
- Salami – Spicy salami ice cream delivers a meaty kick.
- Foie gras – Made with duck or goose liver, it provides a rich, decadent taste.
- Spam – Believe it or not, Spam flavored ice cream is a Hawaiian specialty.
- Pastrami – Smoky, peppery pastrami ice cream can be found in delis and restaurants.
However, bacon remains the most popular meat flavored ice cream.
Should You Try Bacon Ice Cream?
If you enjoy both bacon and ice cream separately, bacon ice cream is definitely worth trying for the novel experience. The saltiness enhances the sweetness of the ice cream for a truly indulgent treat. Just don’t expect an everyday flavor!
However, if you are vegetarian/vegan or don’t like very salty or smoky flavors, you’ll probably want to skip it. Individual preferences vary – some absolutely love the combination while others can’t get past how unusual it is.
When in doubt, asking for a sample spoon is a good way to test if you’ll enjoy bacon ice cream without having to commit to a whole scoop. It’s certainly a unique ice cream to try at least once for the adventurous eater.
Conclusion
While the concept seemed bizarre when it first emerged, bacon flavored ice cream has proven to have an appealingly balanced and nuanced taste profile. It combines sweet creaminess with salty, savory smokiness for an unexpected harmony of flavors. Though it originated as a novelty item on a few menus, bacon ice cream has gained a loyal niche following.
Today, you can find candied bacon bits swirled into maple ice cream or get a scoop of smoked bacon fat infused ice cream from gourmet shops, cafes, and even grocery store freezer aisles. Though too salty and meaty for some tastes, bacon ice cream is worth sampling for the intrepid foodie looking for the next new and daring flavor.