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Acorn Ice Cream: Jeni's Builds Nutty Supply Chain
2 Oct
Summary
- Jeni's created a unique Appalachian Acorn Pie ice cream flavor.
- A new supply chain was built from scratch to source Ohio acorns.
- Local Amish farmers milled the acorns into a special flour for the ice cream.
Jeni's Ice Creams has introduced a novel flavor, Appalachian Acorn Pie, made with flour derived from foraged Ohio acorns. This limited-edition offering, available nationwide, represents a significant undertaking for the brand.
Five years ago, Jeni's began exploring the possibility of acorn-based ice cream. Due to the lack of commercial regulation for acorns in the U.S., the company decided to construct its own supply chain. This involved partnering with the Route 9 Action Network in Ohio to manage the foraging and processing, including the crucial step of removing tannins.
To produce the acorn flour, Jeni's engaged with a nearby Amish farm, utilizing traditional communication methods like mail and in-person visits. This collaboration resulted in the unique ingredient that gives the ice cream its distinctive nutty and sweet flavor, compared to hazelnut or chestnut, complemented by a graham cracker swirl.
