07.26.11
Michael Szyliowicz

Popsicles Remember summer days of sunshine, running through sprinklers, and mouth stained red from Cherry popsicles?

Like so many food items that are ubiquitous, the lowly Popsicle is making a comeback as a specialty treat. Vendors are making and serving frozen treats in both plastic tubes and on sticks. The new iterations include more sophisticated flavors and unusual combinations. And where you used to be able to buy a box for $2.00, that is now the price for each popsicle.

Kate Rockwood from Fast Company magazine recently put together a round up of gourmet popsicle shops around the country. (The pistachio pop sounds delightful!)

At a recent farmer’s market in Boulder I tried several different gourmet popsicle flavors—all were fresh and clean tasting. Horchata was frozen rice milk mixed with cinnamon and almond. Mojito was made with finely chopped fresh mint. And Cherry, unlike the old version, tasted like a freshly pitted cherry frozen onto the stick. It was 90 degrees that summer day, and there were no sprinklers in sight, but my ice pop tasted even better than it had years ago.

12.13.10
Michael Szyliowicz

'Tis the season… and you will know it by walking into any coffee shop and being confronted by the same uninspired, seasonal holiday drinks. Can someone please put something on the drink menu that isn't a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Peppermint Mocha? Although, to be honest, I’m not completely opposed to those drinks; we make and sell both flavors, but it would be nice to see some interesting and unusual seasonal drink combinations for a change. If the specialty coffee world is going to successfully compete against larger, more established quick-serve companies, they are going to have to keep differentiating themselves with unique drink choices. Eggnog lattes are well and good, but it’s critical to get some creativity on a menu and really stand out. Spicy mochas? Horchata? TeaNog lattes? It’s too late for this season, but I hope next year the choices are more “Ho Ho Yum” and less “Ho Ho Humdrum.”