Ahhh, om nom nom nom (photos by Paul Johnson)
A local artisan ice cream maker, Tea•riffic! Ice Cream, recently took home some major awards at the 2013 CT Specialty Food Association‘s Product Awards Competition. They took home first place for their Chunky London Mist and Masala Chai flavors, took second for their Ginger Matcha, and placed third with London Mist. The judges (food writers, chefs, and local media personalities) evaluated food based on taste, flavor, texture, aroma, appearance, and color. So, to get recognized for all of these qualities was great, but it’s also more impressive when you consider that there were over 30 different products in various categories in the competition.
But, these aren’t the only awards that Norwalk based Tea•riffic! have won. They were also named Best New Product in the “Edibles Category” at the 2012 World Tea Expo East in Philly. Trying to understand why they have been recognized for great ice cream isn’t very difficult, though. It all began with Mario Leite (co-owner with his wife) wanting to put out ice cream using his two favorite teas: Thai Iced Tea and Earl Grey. From the start of production in October 2012, he saw the importance of using local ingredients whenever possible (Connecticut doesn’t exactly have too many exotic spices and teas that grow here). In addition, he believes that the more simple the ingredients, the better. No need for preservatives or other added junk. Keep it real, keep it pure, keep it yummy.
Chunky London Mist!
Here are some nomworthy descriptions from their site that are sure to get your drooling and checking out down below where you can get these flavors:
The best chai you ever had… in a cup or a cone! For our Masala Chai (or “spiced tea”) we freshly brew a fabulous blend of Assam black tea, rooibos herbal tea, cardamom, ginger, clove, and several other spices and peppercorns. We then add that to our luscious sweet cream base along with an extra helping of our own mix of spices for good measure and balance. As a result, you won’t resist eating scoop after scoop of this sweet and savory flavor!
The flavor that started it all! The combination of rich malty Assam black tea and the bright citrus notes of bergamot make this flavor both distinct and refreshing. For our London Mist we add a freshly brewed blend of organic Assam black tea and natural bergamot oil to our luscious sweet cream base. A splash of Madagascar vanilla adds a sweet aromatic note that enhances the experience of eating this uniquely delicious flavor!
We wanted to put a delicious twist on the classic green tea ice cream and paired the bright yet earthy flavor of Matcha green tea with the refreshing zing of ginger. For this flavor we take premium Matcha green tea and fresh ginger juice, which we juice ourselves, and combine those with our luscious sweet cream base for a perfectly balanced blend of sweet, creamy, earthy and zingy. This is a delicious flavor that is also a great palate cleanser, making it a particularly fabulous end to any meal while leaving you wanting more!
Our distinctly delicious London Mist ice cream made more decadent with rich semi-sweet Callebaut chocolate flakes and dry roasted pecan chunks. For those of you who love the taste and texture of chocolate chips and nuts in your ice cream, this unexpected combination of the malty and citrusy notes of Earl Grey tea with the subtly bitter sweetness of rich Belgian chocolate and buttery crunch of lightly roasted pecans is one that must be tried…again and again!
Darien, CT
Thai Basil Restaurant
Greenwich, CT
Bambou Asian Tapas & Bar
Greenwich, CT
The Mumbai Times
Westport, CT
Spic & Span Market
Southport, CT
The Pantry
Fairfield, CT
Ancona’s Market
Ridgefield, CT
Nature’s Temptations
Ridgefield, CT
Ridgefield Organics & Specialty Market
Ridgefield, CT
Foodworks
Monroe, CT
New Fairfield Food Ctr.
New Fairfield, CT
Tea with Tracy
Seymour, CT
Elm City Market
New Haven, CT
Nica’s Market
New Haven, CT
Caron’s Corner
Branford, CT
Thyme & Season
Hamden, CT
Siam Valee
Wallingford, CT
Healthy Harvest
Meriden, CT
Hot Basil Thai Café
West Hartford, CT
The Blue Elephant Trail
West Hartford, CT
Max Downtown
Hartford, CT
Granby Village Health
Granby, CT
Mrs. Bridges’ Pantry
South Woodstock, CT
Where to buy and eat Tea•riffic! in New York
Garden of Eden
New York, NY
Elm Health
New York, NY
Agata & Valentina
New York, NY
Concord Market
Brooklyn, NY
Zeytuna Market
New York, NY
Brooklyn Fare
Brooklyn, NY
Gourmet Fresh
Brooklyn, NY
Key Food
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Teaffee
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Balanced Life
Brooklyn, NY
Table Local Market
Bedford Hills, NY
Sgaglio’s Marketplace
Katonah, NY
Associated Supermarket
New York, NY
Key Food
Brooklyn, NY 11220
Associated Supermarket
New York, NY 10033
Frank’s Market
New York, NY 10040
Fine Fare Supermarket
New York, NY
Pioneer Supermarket
New York, NY 10027
Fine Fare Supermarket
New York, NY
Fine Fare Supermarket
New York, NY 10029
Zeytinia
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Old World Food Market
Nyack, NY
Agata & Valentina
New York, NY
Gastronomie 491
New York, NY
Foodcellar & Co. Market
Long Island City, NY
Ernest Klein & Company
New York, NY 10019
Treehaus
New York, NY
The Garden
Brooklyn, NY 11222
City Gourmet
New York, NY
Bravo Supermarket
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Organic Planet 2
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Key Food
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Green Tomato
New York, NY
Foodtown
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Associated Supermarket
New York, NY 10009
OmNomCT 
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