Garden Mint Chip
Wolverine Tracks
Tonight, I am reviewing an extremely popular Ann Arbor destination: Blank Slate Creamery!
The lines here can become VERY long (legitimately wrapped around the block and then some), but tonight the line was relatively short, at about a 10 minute wait. The store has a few parking spaces, but there is a ticketed parking garage across the street containing ample parking.
The staff here (officially called “scoopologists”) are all very bubbly and friendly. When you reach the counter, you are able to ask to try a flavor or two before ordering. Thanks to that wonderful policy, through repeated trips I have had the fortune to try almost all of Blank Slate’s flavors. My trials include:
- Browned Butter Cookie Dough
- Cookies and Cream
- Fresh Basil
- Garden Mint Chip
- Gingerly Lime (NEW!)
- Lavender Lemon Honey
- Madagascar Vanilla
- Matcha
- Non-Dairy Coconut
- Roasted Pistachio
- Salty Caramel Coffee
- Strawberry Basil Sorbet
- Wolverine Tracks
Out of all of these flavors, the only one I have ever disliked even a little bit is Matcha. I felt that it was almost a chalky type of flavor, though that can perhaps be attributed to the natural taste of matcha itself.
Tonight, I decided to have a 1 scoop ($3.75) of Garden Mint Chip in a cone, and it was exquisite. Take a second to think about the taste of mint chocolate chip ice cream bought from the grocery store. For myself, the thought of toothpaste comes to mind. Fortunately, Blank Slate’s version of this flavor is in a completely different league. Blank Slate is able to perfectly capture the true flavor of the mint herb in a manner that is delicate, light, and simply wonderful.
The scoops are generous sizes, so one scoop for dessert after dinner is a great portion size. If you’re feeling ambitious, then two is appropriate, but I would reserve three scoops for days in which you have not eaten a single bite prior to your ice cream trip (yes, I am guilty of making such a trip).
We purchased pints Non-Dairy Coconut and Salty Caramel Coffee to bring home to my mom. When you buy pints, Blank Slate will send you home with a bag of their house-made waffle cones (which are absolutely delicious).
Blank Slate’s strongest attribute is their ability to take complex and slightly unusual flavors (basil, mint, lavender) and create delectable ice cream flavors you will be hard-pressed to find offered anywhere else. For this reason, I deem it worth the line. Enjoy!
The Collegian Cakery 