CT ice cream spots?

[OrganicLife]

I recently asked this question on the Tristate board but we all came up short. I figured CT isn't too long of a drive from us folks in Westchester.

I am searching for a mom-n-pop type ice cream shop that makes their own ice cream with no atificial ingredients. (As in the pistacio and mint ice cream will not have green dye in it!!)
No chains please.

I used to LOVE Billy's ice cream in Bethany but I was in there recently to see green mint chip ice cream. I guess they no longer use all natural ingredients.

Any suggestions?

[cheereeo]

I have seen that Wells HOllow Farm in Shelton, CT now has an ice cream stand. Looks really interesting. If anyone knows about it or has tried it, please let us know how it is. I have driven by their beautiful cows for years. Now Ice Cream stand is in its place.

[DrTomG]

Two of my family's favorires are Tulmeadow Farm in the heart of downtown West Simsbury, CT for farm-made flavors in their farm store (www.tulmeadowfarmstore.com) and the Ice Cream Shop at the corner of Lyme St and Library Ln in Old Lyme, CT. Both have the additional benefit of being in great spots to visit.

[sodagirl]

I guess if we are going to mention Old Lyme..someone should mention Hallmarks...Ice Cream is good...not organic/natural ort anything but pretty good beach atmosphere...but the wait makes watching the sun set seem like a car race...

and what's the name of that place at the end of Rt. 11 in Salem...looks like a barn...large portions and creative flavors...pretty good as well.

[danieljdwyer]

Rich Farm in Oxford and Dr. Mike's in either Bethel or Monroe are both excellent, and both absolutely made completely from scratch. The ice cream at the Monroe Dr. Mike's isn't made on the premises, but delivered each morning from the Bethel Dr. Mike's. As for how natural each is, that's debatable. Dr. Mike's doesn't use artificial additives. They even use candy from a local shop in their candy filled ice creams, though I have no idea whether that candy shop uses artificial ingredients. The cream is definitely not organic and I wouldn't even call it all natural. Rich Farm definitely uses what you would call artificial additives (they even have blue ice cream), but their milk is fairly natural (no rGBH or antibiotics). They even have raw milk available from their cows when yields allow. Much more of an old fashioned dairy farm than an all natural one though. You can also get Rich Farm ice cream at a small number of sandwich shop type eateries in the Valley.

[dugbee]

There used to be a nice little shop in Kent, though I don't know if it's there now. I can't seem to find it on the web.

Huh, I didn't realize the UConn stuff was made out of state. Back when I was at UConn, I recall that they were going to stop making the cream on-site, though maybe my memory is foggy. I still like Jonathan's Supreme, though. (vanilla, swirls of peanut butter, chocolate-covered peanuts)

[Waquoit]

Don't forget the UConn Dairy Bar on the campus in Storrs. Excellent.

[sodagirl]

In regards to Organic Ice Cream...

I know if few or any really that make everything from scratch...first..the organic label is controlled by the USDA...so if someone is using "Organic" in the title...the raw ingredients need to come from certified organic farms..and all the ingredients as well...it cannot be made in a machine that has been used to produce "non-organic" ice cream withour being cleaned with a solution that is also sustainable...like a Green Seal product from Ecolab.

Most local manufactureres buy a base...what is in the base is far from organic and usually contains a variety of stabalizers and products designed to retain flavor and freshness...but then again...some people may actually have one...with Organic milk at $7 a gal...imagine what the cream would cost.

One of the biggest falacies? Uconn...the dairy bar...buys their base from a company in Minnisota..they used to use Orfitelli;s in Manchester...so not only does Uconn not produce their own ice cream...sure they put it through the freezer...but they are not milking any cows either...and their decision not to use a local vendor is a problem.

Sustainability...local farms, natural processes but Organic is not usually an option...be aware of what you eat.

The biggest

[Science Chick]

The definitely *used* to make their own (I'm talking >10 years ago). Last time I went, about 4 years ago, they told us that they didn't use their own milk because they don't produce enough to meet the ice cream production (although they do still have an active dairy). I had no idea they were using a commercial mix, though. Dissappointing.

[Science Chick]

They definitely *used* to make their own (I'm talking >10 years ago). Last time I went, about 4 years ago, they told us that they didn't use their own milk because they don't produce enough to meet the ice cream production (although they do still have an active dairy). I had no idea they were using a commercial mix, though. Dissappointing.

[scenicrec]

Dr. Mikes in Bethel? Their ice cream is made on the premises and fabulous, although I'm not sure if they use artificial ingredients or not (I doubt it).

[chickstein]

I haven't been there in 20 years and I still crave the chocolate lace and cream at Dr. Mike's.

[mom2]

Ferris Acres Creamery on Route 302 in Newtown....the ice cream is the best in the area, as long as you don't mind the cow smell coming from the farm!

[rikshaw]

I have to tell you that a trip to Danbury in search of perfect ice cream is well served by trying to find Il Bacio Ice Cream – 100 30 Germantown Road . It's in a shopping center in the Germantown area near Danbury Hospital. The ice cream is homemade BEYOND description.

[Jestner]

Thanks for the tip - if I'm out that way I'll check it out.

That said, the poster is looking for ice cream with no artificial ingredients (or perhaps ice cream without added color).

[Jestner]

A bunch of colorings are natural. Some are even organic. So I guess I'm not sure if you are just interested in white mint chocolate chip ice cream, or true "natural" ice cream (which could mean different things to different people). Sounds like this hunt is more marketing induced, but to each their own.

I know of small mom&pop ice cream places not too far off from Bethany - but I'm not sure if they use natural food colouring, artificial food colouring or no food colouring. You can check or call:
Sweet Claudes on Rt 10 in Cheshire
Wentworths on Rt10 in Hamden (also I think they have a spot in Wallingford now)

[DonShirer]

Those are two of the three top entries on our list as well. The other, Big Dipper in Prospect, also makes their own ice cream, but you would have to check with them as to the ingredients.

[OrganicLife]

No, not marketing induced. Just sick of eating ice cream made with artificial ingredients.

[Jestner]

Did you verify that the coloring at Billys was artificial?

[Tropic24]

Try Rich Farm in Oxford. They use cream from their own herd of cows.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overv...