Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, DC

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams opened in my neighborhood, the 14th Street Corridor, late last year amidst the opposition of those for the local food movement. Jeni's is a chain based in Columbus, Ohio that now operates 32 scoop shops across the United States.

They recently contacted me to let me know that they had a new vegan flavor. Sure, I'd love to try it! The shop is really cute with its retro signage and bright interior. With only window seating, it isn't really set up to hang out in, but it is very inviting. I've seen lines around the block for this ice cream, so I was excited to give them a shot.

They make a Reisling Poached Pear sorbet with non-bone char sugar, but I wanted to try the new vegan ice cream this go-around. When I asked them which one was vegan, they didn't seem to know, so I pulled up my email from their marketing department and figured it out. The Dark Chocolate Truffle is labeled dairy-free and gluten-free, but not vegan, which makes one wonder if it really is, but I can confirm that they said it is in their press release.

The Dark Chocolate Truffle ice cream is velvety rich and smooth. So chocolately--it just melted in my mouth. They say they spent five years on recipe development for their first plant-based ice cream.

“We didn’t try to make something that would pass for a dairy version of ice cream,” explains founder and chief creative officer Jeni Britton Bauer. “Instead, we looked to make something new and different and wondrous all on its own. The resulting Dark Chocolate Truffle is so deeply, primally satisfying that since the first time I had it, I think about it and crave it just as much as dairy ice cream. This flavor is for anyone who wants a truly beautiful, memorable frozen dessert.”

While most other dairy-free ice creams contain vegetable and algae proteins or an overuse of stabilizers, hers uses high-quality coconut cream and Fair Trade cocoa. Well done, Jeni. Just label it vegan, please. And I look forward to seeing you expand this line!

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1925 14th Street, Suite B
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 621-8625

Full Disclosure: Although the ice cream was provided to me at no cost to review, that in no way influenced my veracious opinion.