Buffalo Rising Online

Jun 17th, 11:22am By Molly Hirschbeck

I’ve always had a pretty simple philosophy when it comes to ice cream: if I’m going to eat it, I’m going to indulge. It’s not often that I sit down with a bowl, and when I do, I wouldn’t think of enjoying anything less than a Rocky Road (or Heavenly Hash; both equally satisfy my chocolate addiction) sundae topped with a healthy dollop of hot fudge or whipped cream.

So when local ice cream aficionados Perry’s Ice Cream announced three new flavors just in time for summer-light flavors, mind you- I was cautiously optimistic. Boasting half the fat and fewer calories than regular ice cream, Perry’s “Perfectly Churned” Light versions are said to taste just as good and still satisfy health-conscience consumers. Blueberry Cheesecake, Lemon Meringue Pie and Rocky Road are the newest flavors making their debut, but let's face it, when was the last time you had any light cheesecake or pie that tasted as good as the original?

So, spoon in hand and appetite ready, I sat down to sample some of the new flavors in the Perry family. Although I wasn’t able to find Lemon Meringue at my local Dash’s or Tops, I settled down with some scoops of the other two, and surprisingly, I wasn’t let down. Light Rocky Road, though lighter and creamier in texture than its regular-fat peers, certainly delivered all the RR standards: marshmallows, almonds and chocolate flakes wrapped within a chocolate-based ice cream. Though the chocolate wasn’t extremely powerful in taste, it didn’t necessarily lack flavor either, and it’s easy to see how Perry’s took this rich, decadent flavor and toned it down to make it a healthier, yet still satisfying summertime treat.

Blueberry Cheesecake, on the other hand, is a different bowl altogether. It’s good, but it’s definitely a mouthful of instant flavor and crunch. Though there is a hint of cheesecake, it comes across as more of an afterthought, because the blueberry is so dominant. Perry’s doesn’t skimp here--this isn’t just a blueberry infused flavoring--we’re tasting real chunks of mini berries, and the graham cracker pieces only add a unique crispness to the mix. Clearly, this is the perfect treat for people who are trying to cut calories but still want to enjoy full flavor because one scoop was more than enough for me, and I’m usually first in line for seconds.

As I continue to let my ice cream guard down and try new flavors this summer, I’ll update as I sample, but in the meantime, please share any local summer time staples worth trying!

PS Eating ice cream is way easier than taking its picture.