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Plant-based ice cream offers a sweet treat alternative.
By Alexis Ramlall
Many plant-based ice creams utilize different base ingredients beyond traditional dairy, such as soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk and even avocado. | PHOTO: PAMELAJOEMCFARLANE/iSTOCK.
FROM CROSS-COUNTRY FRANCHISES to mom-and-pop shops, alternative ice creams are showing up in ice cream parlours across Canada. Here’s the scoop on the plant-based trend and why you might want a taste. The emergence of plant-based ice cream delivers a delightful and extensive array of non-dairy choices, which caters to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a scoop of frozen dessert. What’s more, plant-based ice creams reach a wider consumer base — notably vegans and the 44 percent of Canadians affected by lactose intolerance, according to the non-profit Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. Non-dairy options may allow this segment of the population to enjoy a range of ice creams, shakes and sundaes without experiencing the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.
Ready to hop on the alternative-ice-cream train? Go ahead and visit a shop near you that serves plant-based ice creams. CAA
Kitchener's Four All Ice Cream has curated a menu of traditional ice creams and non-dairy options in flavours like Sea Buckthorn and Mint Fudge Ripple.
Pink Elephant Creamery features an ever-changing menu of vegan and gluten-free frozen treats that include dairy-free ice cream in innovative rotating flavours. Stop in at their retail location in Toronto for a scoop of the day’s featured flavour or order online by the pint.
London’s Buttercreme has a host of plant-based flavours, including Blueberry Cinnamon, Black Forest Sour and Peanut Butter Cup. In fact, half of their ice cream menu is traditional dairy, and the other half is plant-based.
Coffee Trends and Mile and a Quarter Ice Cream boasts a variety of plant-based ice cream options, including a vegan soft serve, and an oat-based ice cream with many flavours, including praline soft serve with dark chocolate drizzle, and caramel with dark chocolate topping.