Salt & Straw, the celebrated artisanal ice – cream brand, has become renowned for its innovative and seasonally – inspired flavor rotations. Each month, it unveils a new lineup that tantalizes taste buds and keeps ice – cream enthusiasts eagerly anticipating what’s next. June, in particular, often brings a unique set of flavors that capture the essence of early summer, whether it’s through the use of fresh, in – season produce or creative flavor pairings inspired by the warmer months.
The Allure of Salt & Straw’s Monthly Flavor Offerings
Salt & Straw’s approach to flavor creation is a blend of artistry and a deep connection to local ingredients and culture. Their monthly flavor rotations aren’t just about offering something new; they’re about telling a story. By collaborating with local farmers, producers, and even other food artisans, Salt & Straw creates flavors that are both a reflection of the region and a celebration of the season. This has led to a cult – like following, with customers often making special trips to their scoop shops to try the latest flavors.
June Flavors: A Deep Dive
June 2024: The Brewers Series
In June 2024, Salt & Straw introduced “The Brewers Series,” a collection of flavors that married the worlds of ice cream and craft beer.
Breakside Chocolate Barrel – Aged Stout: This flavor combined Breakside barrel – aged stout ice cream with barrel – aged stout steeped cocoa nibs coated in chocolate. The richness of the chocolate was complemented by the deep, malty notes of the stout. The addition of tres leches cake, with one of the leches replaced by more stout, added a creamy, almost custard – like element to the ice cream. The result was a flavor profile that was both decadent and complex, appealing to both chocolate lovers and beer enthusiasts.
La Tropical’s La Original Lager with Guava: Using Miami’s La Tropical La Original Lager, this flavor created a flan syrup ice cream with a guava drizzle. The hops in the lager added a subtle bitterness that balanced out the sweetness of the guava. The guava flavor was fresh and vibrant, reminiscent of a tropical summer day. The combination of the light, crisp lager and the tropical fruit made it a refreshing option for hot June days.
Métier’s Black Stripe Porter & Bread Pudding: Métier’s black stripe coconut porter syrup and porter ice cream were paired with Marjorie’s gooey bread pudding and bites of crispy brioche toffee. The coconut in the porter added a tropical twist, while the bread pudding provided a warm, comforting element. The crispy toffee added a satisfying crunch, creating a textural contrast that made the flavor even more enjoyable.
Monkish’s Space Cookies & Cream Hazy IPA: A triple – hopped Monkish Space Cookies & Cream hazy IPA was used to create an ice cream with fresh grapefruit zest and a swirl of vanilla wafer cookie butter. The hoppy, citrusy notes of the IPA were prominent, especially when combined with the grapefruit zest. The cookie butter added a rich, creamy sweetness, making it a favorite among those who like a bold, flavorful ice cream.
Russian River’s Supplication Ale with Manchego: This flavor featured frozen yogurt with Russian River’s supplication ale fudge, a swirl of manchego cheese, and a ribbon of tart cherry marmalade. The tangy manchego cheese provided a savory element that was unexpected in an ice – cream flavor. The supplication ale fudge added a depth of flavor, while the tart cherry marmalade added a sweet – and – sour note that tied the whole flavor together.
June 2023: The Upcycled Food Series
In June 2023, Salt & Straw focused on reducing food waste with their Upcycled Food Series.
Lemon Curd & Whey: This light and citrusy flavor used whey, a byproduct of yogurt production, as a substitute for lemon juice in making lemon curd. The curd was then ribboned throughout the ice – cream base. The result was a refreshing, tangy ice cream that was not only delicious but also a creative use of an ingredient that would otherwise be discarded.
Day – Old Bread Pudding & Chocolate Ganache: Made from surplus uneaten bread, this flavor transformed the bread into a delicious bread pudding with chocolate mixed in. The warm, gooey, cinnamon – spiced bread pudding paired perfectly with the rich chocolate ganache, creating a flavor that was reminiscent of a decadent dessert.
Malted Chocolate Barley Milk (Vegan): Utilizing rice barley protein powder from leftover grains from beer production, this vegan chocolate ice cream also incorporated a fig jam for sweetness. It was a unique take on classic chocolate, offering a nutty, malty flavor profile that was both comforting and different.
Cacao Pulp & Chocolate Stracciatella Gelato: Cacao production often results in a lot of waste from parts of the fruit that can’t be used to make chocolate. This flavor used the entire cacao bean, including the pulp, to create a gelato with chocolate bits interspersed. The cacao pulp added a fruity, acidic note that was a departure from the usual chocolate – only flavor, making it a more complex and interesting option.
Salted Caramel and Okara Cupcakes (Vegan): Based on renewal mill’s okara flour cake mix, which is upcycled from soy milk production, this flavor was mixed with homemade caramel frosting and an oat – milk base. The result was a vegan, sweet – and – salty treat that was a hit among those looking for a dairy – free option.
The Significance of June Flavors
Seasonal and Cultural Relevance
June is a time when the weather starts to warm up, and people are looking for refreshing treats. The flavors in June often incorporate fresh, seasonal fruits like strawberries, cherries, and in the case of the 2024 Brewers Series, tropical fruits like guava. These flavors not only taste great but also evoke the spirit of summer. Moreover, the use of local and regional ingredients, such as the craft beers from different parts of the US in 2024, connects the ice cream to the local culture and economy.
Marketing and Customer Engagement
The monthly flavor rotations are a brilliant marketing strategy for Salt & Straw. They create a sense of urgency among customers to visit the scoop shops and try the new flavors before they’re gone. Social media plays a significant role in this, with customers often sharing their experiences and reviews of the new flavors. This word – of – mouth marketing helps to attract new customers and keep existing ones engaged. For example, when the Brewers Series was announced in 2024, it generated a lot of buzz on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, with food bloggers and influencers eager to try and review the unique flavor combinations.
Challenges in Creating June Flavors
Balancing Innovation and Palatability
One of the biggest challenges for Salt & Straw when creating June flavors is finding the right balance between innovation and palatability. While they want to push the boundaries and create unique flavor combinations, they also need to ensure that the flavors are appealing to a wide range of customers. For example, in the case of the Russian River’s Supplication Ale with Manchego flavor from 2024, the combination of the ale, cheese, and cherry marmalade was quite bold. Some customers loved the unique flavor profile, while others found it a bit too unusual.
Sourcing Ingredients
Another challenge is sourcing high – quality ingredients, especially when using seasonal produce or collaborating with local producers. For instance, if a particular fruit crop has a bad season, it can be difficult to find enough of the ingredient to create the desired flavor. In the case of the June 2023 Upcycled Food Series, sourcing the upcycled ingredients required careful planning and coordination with partners like Urban Gleaners to ensure a steady supply.
Conclusion
Salt & Straw’s June flavors are a testament to the brand’s commitment to creativity, quality, and sustainability. Whether it’s through the use of local and seasonal ingredients, the exploration of unique flavor pairings, or the implementation of innovative concepts like upcycled foods, each June lineup offers something new and exciting for ice – cream lovers. The flavors not only satisfy our taste buds but also play a role in the local economy, culture, and even environmental sustainability. As we look forward to each June, we can expect Salt & Straw to continue to surprise and delight us with their ever – evolving ice – cream creations. Whether you’re a fan of classic flavors or someone who loves to try the most unusual combinations, Salt & Straw’s June offerings are sure to have something for you.
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