Friday, July 16, 2010

Unemployment Is Everywhere – Baskin Robbins Fires Five Flavors

I read this story breathlessly, hoping against hope that it wasn’t Jamoca Almond Fudge (birthdate - 1959) or Pralines ‘n Cream (1970) that had been given their walking papers.

Thankfully, it was five other flavors that are being retired to the “Deep-Freeze” or the Baskin-Robbins ice cream heaven for flavors that have served their purpose.

The ones that are going to their reward are: Apple Pie a La Mode (1976); Campfire S'mores (1975); Caramel Praline Cheesecake (1970 – a bit of heyday in the world of B-R flavors, if you ask me); Superfudge Truffle (2007); and most surprising of all, French Vanilla - a Baskin-Robbins flavor since 1945!

That last one is curious, because, as far as I know, we’re not supposed to be hating the French at the moment. And I think this will be a real problem for purists, who order the same flavor everywhere they go in order to compare. It is possible, though, that those folks don’t go to Baskin–Robbins.

I just don’t want Baskin-Robbins to go away. I used to visit high school and college friends, who always worked there. (That was NOT a job for me. I could never trust myself in a building full of ice cream.) I remember many snowy New York days walking down Broadway on the Upper West Side catching snow flakes on my ice cream cone. Funny, I don’t remember my summer ice cream jaunts as well.

If clearing the ranks helps Baskin-Robbins to stay around, then fine, but let’s hope they don’t introduce some trendy mochi or green tea flavor. That’s fine for Pinkberry, but not for a company that’s been around for 65 years. In fact, that’s the reason behind the change. They’re celebrating their birthday with new flavors, which have yet to be revealed. You can get the fired flavors, though, while they last at a Baskin-Robbins near you.

The truth is that it’s probably been a decade (or two) since my last run-in with Jamoca Almond Fudge, but I just like knowing it’s there.

3 comments:

Emily said...

I'm allll about posts about ice cream. So, I've never actually had Baskin Robbins ice cream. They don't have it here.

They definitely should avoid those new, trendy flavors. I love the classic flavors.

I don't mind that they got rid of French Vanilla. Is there really a difference between French vanilla and vanilla? Except for the flavor? Maybe there is.

Sheila said...

Well, now I'm STARVING for a jamocha whatchamacall it cone!
I'm glad to hear pralines and cream is safe. FOR NOW!

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

I used to love jamocha almond fudge when I was in my early teens. I was obsessed. Not sure what made me turn off from it. Probably just found new obsessions. I haven't been to BR in quite some time. The ones that used to be in my neighborhood closed up shop. There were two (one of those BR/DD combos) near my office, but my office moved to another part of town and now I don't have them anymore. One of the ones near the old office had the most clueless workers ever. I wanted a hot fudge sundae and this girl behindthe counter had no idea how to make it! She said she never made a sundae before. How can you have that job if you don't know how to make a sundae!!!