Mr. Dewie’s, the beloved cashew-based, dairy-free ice cream brand, is set to open its fourth location in Walnut Creek at the end of February, extending its reach from Albany, Emeryville, and Oakland to the East Bay city. This expansion marks nearly 15 years since the company first launched its non-dairy ice cream, originally built around an almond milk base.
Created by brothers Andrew and Ari Cohen, the ice cream was born out of necessity, as both founders could not consume dairy. Initially made from almond milk, the ice cream became an instant hit, finding its way into major grocery stores like Whole Foods along the West Coast. However, when drought-related issues in California drove up the cost of almond farming, the brothers pivoted to cashews, sourcing them from Tanzania through a customer connection.
“We decided to give it a try,” said Andrew Cohen. “The difference in cashews from different regions is remarkable, and these are phenomenal.”
The cashews are roasted in the company’s San Leandro kitchen and turned into 16 flavors of ice cream, including fan favorites like caramel almond crunch, chocolate cookie crumble, mocha chip, and strawberry. All flavors are vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and free from additives, with a focus on organic ingredients and high-protein content. However, the sweet treat does include sugar, Cohen adds.
Caramel almond crunch remains the most popular flavor. This ice cream, which is sweetened with coconut palm sugar instead of cane sugar, features a rich caramel flavor complemented by roasted almonds, offering a unique combination of creaminess and crunch.
The new Walnut Creek store will open on or around March 1, offering freshly packed pints, ice cream sandwiches, and Dewie Dippers—ice cream sandwiches dipped in chocolate.
“We’ve been the most popular unknown ice cream shop,” Cohen said. “You either know us well, or you’ve never heard of us. But once you try it, you’ll never forget us.”
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