ISO (in search of) coconut ice-cream

[red dragon]

I had some great banana fritters and coconut ice-cream at Ivory Thailand (I'll post about that later and the heavy use of MSG), and I'm looking for some good quality coconut ice-cream (not gelato).

I live in Scarborough, but wouldn't mind to drive a bit to get it (just not downtown), due to parking charges.

I saw the tubs at Ivory Thailand were marked "St. Clair ice-cream" as I've seen in many other buffet restaurants, but any other ideas?

Thanks in advance

[juliaschildathome]

Ed's Real Scoop (2224 Queen Street East and 920 Queen Street East) make a delicious and creamy coconut/lime ice cream that's to die for!

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Ed's Real Scoop
2224 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E1E9, CA

[jules100]

the best coconut icecream is at Gregs...add their hot fudge sauce - the BEST thing anywhere and you'll be happy to pay for parking

[mango_madness]

try Magonlia Brand coconut, available at T&T and some No Frills... also comes in Mango, Ube (Purple Yam), JackFruit (?) Flavours....

[BeachHeath]

Call and check with Whole Wallet (nee Whole Foods). I wouldn't be suprised if they had some. It's downtown but parking is free at Hazelton Lanes for customers.

[helen0505]

at most health food stores and the health food section at loblaws/superstore, they have coconut milk ice cream that is dairy free. its the best ever. Brand is Turtle Mountain Purely Decadent.

http://www.purelydecadent.com/product...

[Jar]

If ever out in the North West area of Toronto, on Albion Rd, near Hwy 27, Exotic Indian Cuisine males their own Ice Creams including Coconut. The quality is very good as well as their cuisine and Tues. to Fri. lunch buffet. I would give Kishor a phone call and talk about it, sorry just don't have the info at hand, but an Internet search should get you address and phone number!

[red dragon]

Found the link, but they don't seem to have a website. Will give it a try if I'm on vacation because I work during the week days and live in the east end of Toronto.

http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?hl=e...

[mikefly]

Mildly off-topic - in brasil, had fantastic coconut popsicles - anything like that here?

[Omnibus_Eater]

I recently had some great coconut popsicles at a friend's place. I asked her where she got them from, and she said she bought them at T&T.

[vorpal]

I suspect that I know the brand that she's talking about (if only I could remember the name, but they were in all the freezer cases of the grocery stores in Chinatown E), and if so, their taro popsicles are also to die for.

[mikefly]

Am never near a T&T, but go by Spadina's chinatown every day. Will have a look.
Thanks!

[KiKi P]

We really like Tropical Treets on Bermondsey...it's a 5 min drive for us.

Their coconut ice cream has chunks of coconut in it...so yummy and rich. Really good mango, pistachio, and grape-nut ice cream!! Love it!

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Tropical Treets
130 Bermondsey Rd, Toronto, ON M4A1X5, CA

[woodsey]

Greg's Ice Cream on Bloor just west of Spadina has really, really good coconut ice cream (dairy) and I definitely tasted coconut milk in it. He doesn't have all flavours at all times, however, so you may want to call ahead [phone]. He does supply a few stores, so you may want to check out hte website www.gregsicecream.com

[phoenikia]

I saw some Coconut Gelato at Il Gelatiere on Thursday. Not sure if it's a standard flavour there, since I never noticed it before.

Edit: Just noticed the OP specified not gelato.

[food face]

The So Good brand or Soy Good has a brand new flavor called coconut vanilla bean. It has been the best coconut ice cream I have had outside of Barbados. All the ingredients are natural and organic and there is no dairy. The coconut milk was also organic. I am not a vegan and don't have a preference for it but it really was incredible. I always check for freezer burn especially on non dairy iced creams in the store. I bought mine at Essence of Life in Kensington Market. It was super fresh and creamy.

[red dragon]

I'll have to look for that flavor, thank you! It sounds wonderful! How do you check for freezer burn, by opening up the lid? I can only imagine the stares or comments I might get from other shoppers if I did that?

[food face]

Good Questions Dragon. I give the container a little squeeze. If it isn't a lifeless hard rock that's definately a good sign. Then I look over my right shoulder then my left and do the deed. I lift up the ice cream container lid and check for freezer burn. I've been burned too many times with health food store ice creams. Let us know how what you try and how you like it.

[red dragon]

LOL Food Face! I hope everyone here reads this update! I tried the coconut ice-cream that I bought at Tropical Treets directlly and it had freezer burn!!!

I had my husband and friend try it as well; it had ice crystals throughout and left a rough texture on our tongues! My husband was angry as we drove all the way to their offices/store, and how could it happen when you would think it's as fresh as can be?? I'm waiting for the offices to open up so I can call them about it. I hope they are cooperative in replacing the product. The rude cashier didn't give us a receipt (and I always ask for one), and I hope she isn't there when we return. Will let you all know how the customer service resolved this!

[embee]

Per my earlier warning, customer service is a non starter there. Good luck!

[red dragon]

Hi Embee - I did read that you might not get hand packed ice cream, but didn't read any other customer service issues in your first reply?

I called and spoke to the VP and he was very nice, drove all the way back down with ice-cream in my cooler, but that same girl was there!! I even asked on the phone if she would be and was told she only works weekdays.

She even annoyed me a bit when I got in, saying she remembered me from last night ... I told her the problem and she asks, "oh, so you are upset?" OMG, you think? I asked her if she wouldn't be upset driving 35 minutes and get ice-cream direct from the source that had chyrstalization! I didn't mention her attitude to anyone, as you never know, she could be the owner's daughter or a relative!!

I asked for Zahir and he was very helpful, he took a spoon of the tub I returned and agreed. He said it has never happened before (well, always a time for first), and promptly asked "her" to get me a replacement tub. He also gave me two free tubs of my choice and a huge bottle of juice. I was very pleased but assured Zahir I only had the intention of replacing the coconut ice-cream, nothing else, but appreciated the gesture.

I'm glad it was resolved quickly and easily, but not sure about future purchases, hopefully, this was just a one time occurence, as you can't get fresher than the source ...and the replacement tub was great; creamy and did not have those miniscule crystals that left my tongue frozen.

In future, I'll go on Saturdays and perhaps another person will be on duty!

[food face]

So funny. That was an adventure. What a P-off the freezer burn after all that! You must try the Soy Good new flavor....really is excellent.

[Wino In Training]

I was at Xococava today.... they had a Coconut ice cream on the menu. Didn't try it.... but everything they do is outstanding.

[currycue]

Is it real coconut ice cream? (made with fresh coconut milk like in the caribbean) or made with tin milk or coconut cream. I'm yet to find a place up here that makes it like they do in Trinidad. If you all find a place, I'd be forever grateful! (even the mighty Ed's makes his with the tinned stuff)

[embee]

I have never seen fresh coconut milk used in a commercial ice cream in Toronto.

[vorpal]

Boxes of coconut milk can be bought in Spadina Chinatown. Hardly fresh, but much preferable to the cans as they manage to avoid acquiring that aluminum taste that permeates the regular kind.

[tyatt]

That's good to know that coconut milk comes in boxes!! Would you tell me at which stores so I can go get some?

Thanks so much!

[vorpal]

I wish I could remember specifically, but I moved out of Toronto awhile ago and thus can't recall. I believe that the grocery store on the west side of Spadina north of Dundas that has a lot of fruit outside and then has stairs going down carries it, if I recall correctly. Check it out. Here in Ottawa, fortunately, almost all of the Asian grocers carry the boxed stuff.

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

Without going downtown, the coconut ice cream at Baskin Robbins isn't bad. Otherwise, the coconut gelato at Hollywood is great! THe only thing is that they don't always have it. Call first or trust your luck.

[red dragon]

Thanks again (and to everyone else) for the great recommendations! Now, I'm going to find a a good banana fritter recipe to go with that coconut ice-cream!

[embee]

Tropical Treets coconut is available at many mainstream supermarkets. They have it at the Danforth/VP Metro, and probably all over Scarborough.

I have SOMETIMES been able to get this hand packed at Tropical Treets' Bermondsey store. Hand packing makes the ice cream denser and richer than the highly aerated contents of their supermarket containers. Tropical Treets is conveniently located for me, but be aware that there are no guarantees and they may just point you to the freezer.

Most Asian stores (e.g., Indian stores; T&T) have a few brands of coconut ice cream. The coconut gelato at Ed's Real Scoop would probably also satisfy, since none of the available ice cream brands is particularly rich. Tropical Treets' version does contain chunks of young coconut, but the once wonderful quality of this product is a thing of the past.

St Clair Ice Cream is on the Danforth not far from Main. You might be able to get it there, but their retail store isn't always open - call before you go.

[Muffin__Top]

Yeah I was going to say Ed's in the Beaches as well

[red dragon]

Thank you.

I should have elaborated that I tried Tropical Treets Coconut (and mango) ice-cream and found it to be ok. I don't recall chunck of young coconut, maybe that was awhile ago, as you mentioned?

Thanks also for the tip on St Clair ice-cream, I would only be able to go on Sat/Sunday, but will call first if I decide to go downtown.

[tree25]

T&T has a Nestle brand coconut ice-cream that is produced in Philippine. You can give it a try.

I also like the coconut ice-cream from Greg's. But they are in downtown.

[thora]

Can anyone tell me if Tropical Treets coconut ice cream is dairy-free (i.e. vegan)?
I'd like to pick it up, but will avoid the trek if it's not what I'm looking for.
Thanks!

[embee]

No, it is dairy.

[thora]

Thanks for checking, embee!

[red dragon]

Hi Dimbulb and Embee, we drove to Tropical Treets today, to give the coconut ice-cream another try. It was better than I remember (it was a loooong time), so we bought that along with mango, and another flavour that they sell individually packed, but more costly (espresso something). It was quite a drive for us (30 minutes - well in Toronto, that's not considered far), but we didn't expect the service to be so rude! The young girl behind the counter (in our opinion) needs to learn better manners and customer service. Perhaps it was an off day, but we were really turned off!

Oh well, we got our ice-cream, that's all that matters (lol). The litre tubs are the same price as in the stores (4.99) and the specialty flavors are 3.99 for 1/2 litre and 6.99 for a full litre.

P.S. To Embee, we weren't lukcy to get ours hand packed, but she did hand pack the specialty flavor, although for the extra price, she didn't even pack it to the rim? Maybe that's their policy ....

Thanks again for your feedback

[Dimbulb]

Tropical Treets on Bermondsey. Not gourmet by any means but better than St Clair.

[red dragon]

Thanks Dimbulb, I've had the ice-cream at Tropical Treets and found it ok. Perhaps I need to try it again, since it's been awhile.