Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream: For a Unique and Truly Delectable Gourmet Ice Cream Experience in Columbus Ohio and Beyond

As summertime approaches, one of many people's favorite sweet treats of the season is ice cream. We all have our favorite flavors and special ice cream delights that we may choose based upon our moods, but imagine for a moment the titillating prospect of sampling some new-to- your-palate and wondrously unique ice cream flavors that you have never tasted before. Now, on top of imagining stimulating your taste buds in some delicious new directions, further imagine that these exciting new flavors are handcrafted in small batches using fresh natural ingredients. If unique and exotic flavors of artisanal ice cream sound mouthwateringly poetic to you, then you might want to know about Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream.

Based in the Columbus, Ohio area, the very first Jeni's Ice Cream shop was (and still is) more of a stand than a shop proper. This luscious gourmet ice cream stand is located in the North Market, an historic indoor/outdoor market in downtown Columbus that features fresh foods and other unique wares from various local merchants in a kind of sophisticated farmer's market style environment that is a distinctively appetizing venue to stroll through, purchase a few unique groceries at, or stop in for an amazingly yummy lunch. Personally, although my choice of lunch entrée at the North Market varies from creamy pasta to spicy Pad Thai to stuffed grape leaves, my choice of dessert is almost always a Jeni's ice cream trio, which allows me to pick three scoops of Jeni's gloriously palate-pleasing flavors. My mom is such an adoring fan of Jeni's ice cream that when she visits from out of town, it is not unusual for her to partake of two consecutive trios, so that she can enjoy the experience of six different flavors.

It's no wonder Jeni's has so many fervent fans with its incredibly appealing revolving roster of both signature and seasonal flavors. Some of the signature flavors are Salty Caramel, Thai Chili, and Black Coffee. Some of the latest limited-edition seasonal flavors are Goat Cheese with Roasted Red Cherries, Toasted Coconut Rum, and Wildberry Lavender.

As if these flavors don't sound titillatingly delicious enough on their own, also consider the fact that Jeni's utilizes 'fresh ingredients found in the Ohio countryside as well as responsibly-raised exotics from around the world'. Jeni's even has its very own production kitchen in Columbus, Ohio where such ingredients are prepared to be artfully crafted into exciting new ice cream flavors. For more delicious detail, partake of this appealing excerpt from the Jeni's website:

'Our production kitchen reflects the seasonal flavors of the Ohio countryside. In summer, each day brings fresh strawberries bursting from flats, hundreds of Japanese cucumbers piled in crates, and bushels of heirloom melons bought at the Saturday market. In winter, Jeni uses local spicebush berry, goat's milk cajeta, black walnuts and Ohio wines.
When a local farmer brings bags of fresh mint, our team must wash and chop it before steeping it in cream. Apricots must be peeled and sliced before they are pureed for a mid-summer yogurt.

Jeni sources inspiring ingredients from around the world, such as single origin chocolates from Madagascar, fairly traded vanilla beans from a small farm in Uganda, or maple syrup from Saskatchewan'.

Can you say yum? I am practically swooning over here. I think this all sounds so very poetic and delectable. I wish I had a Jeni's Ice Cream trio in my hands right now. What flavors would I choose to partake of? Well, I would have to browse the latest wares before I decided for sure, but based on those I've been lucky enough to taste so far, some of my personal favorites are the deep, dark, decadently rich Black Coffee (which makes use of freshly roasted coffee from a local roaster), the naturally sweet and gorgeously savory Honey Pistachio (which makes use of local honey) and the truly unique and sublimely scrumptious Butterscotch Black Brownie. I have a friend who is wild about a similar Jeni's Ice Cream flavor known as Butterscotch Cocoa Nibs.

I have very much enjoyed every wonderful Jeni's Ice Cream flavor I've ever tried (with the exception of a Cucumber Sorbet), although some wow my palate more than others. The Salty Caramel seems to be an all-around favorite of many folks and is indeed quite tasty (this delectable flavor makes use of caramelized sugars, butter, and sea salt). If you're in the mood for spicy rather than salty, then you might want to try the Thai Chili which is handcrafted from Krema Peanut Butter (a longstanding Columbus company), toasted coconut, coconut milk, and cayenne. Some Jenis's ice cream flavors make use of wines or stouts; others make use of florals, such as lavender or rose. Another unusual, provocative and very flavorful combination is the Lime Cardamom, which is a yogurt rather than an ice cream. The ice creams are creamy, dense, and exceptionally flavorful ('less sweet and more flavorful' is a description that appears upon the Jeni's website), but Jeni's does offer some yogurts and sorbets, as well, for those who might be seeking a slightly lighter dessert option.

In addition to the aforementioned trio, Jeni's also serves both smaller and larger ice cream treats, including sundaes, waffle cones, and ice cream sandwiches. Pints are available, too, so that you may enjoy Jeni's ice cream at home or partake of more of your favorite flavor. Jeni's has expanded beyond its original North Market ice cream stand location and now also features shops in the Short North (a Columbus arts district located in between the Ohio State University campus area and the downtown area) and the Columbus suburbs of Grandview, Bexley, and Dublin.

Even those who do not reside in the Columbus, Ohio area can still experience the delectable wonder of Jeni's ice cream by placing an order from the stylish Jeni's website at http://jenisicecreams.com/. Jeni's ice creams are luxurious treats that may not fit into every budget during these trying economic times (I really would have liked to have purchased my mom a sampler of Jeni's ice cream as an extra special Mother's Day gift, but I just cannot afford it right now), but even if you're not in the position to buy Jeni's Ice Cream right at his moment in time, you can still pique your interest, provoke your appetite, and enjoy the poetic imagery offered by the Jeni's Ice Cream blog, named after one of the shop's best-loved flavors, Salty Caramel-- http://www.saltycaramel.com/.