Cardamom Ice Cream

Hi all,

Does anyone know anyplace in Chicago that I could find cardamom ice cream? I thought Patel Bros. would definitely have it, but they didn't. The recipes to make it seem simple, but I don't have an ice-cream maker, so buying it is the only option for me.

Thanks for your help!

Mark

mark--i'm afraid i cant help you find cardamom ice cream, but i was interested to see you spelled the spice with a 'mom' ending, rather than 'mon'. that's the way i spell this word as well. and i've gotten into arguments with friends who insist only 'mon' is the correct spelling. both spelling are used and appear to be correct. the 'mom' ending comes from old english and old french -'mome'.. but in my less than thorough research into this, i cant tell if there is a reason to use one spelling over the other. does anyone know about the spelling of this wonderful food? thanks, justjoan

I always thought of it as Persian thing. Any Persian grocery stores around?

Here's one I found on Google.
Pars Persian Store
5260 N Clark St, Chicago - (773) 769-6635

I don't know whether it's a Persian thing or not, but I'd call Pars before going. Although they do have a couple freezer cases, I haven't noticed that they even carry ice cream. (Of course, I have to concede that I wasn't LOOKING for ice cream. Still...)

Good luck!

justjoan wrote:mark--i'm afraid i cant help you find cardamom ice cream, but i was interested to see you spelled the spice with a 'mom' ending, rather than 'mon'. that's the way i spell this word as well. and i've gotten into arguments with friends who insist only 'mon' is the correct spelling. both spelling are used and appear to be correct. the 'mom' ending comes from old english and old french -'mome'.. but in my less than thorough research into this, i cant tell if there is a reason to use one spelling over the other. does anyone know about the spelling of this wonderful food? thanks, justjoan

I always used -mom. That's how they spell it in the Food Lover's Companion too. And I'll be next in line to get this ice cream!

I would call Ruth and Phil's Gourmet Ice Cream, part of Sweet Collective. Being a small business, my guess is they wouldn't mind making a special batch for you, and perhaps adding it to their line-up for that week. They have fantastic product.

Sweet Collective
5333 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773.293.0888

icecream@ruthandphils.com
ruthandphils.com

Actually, they had a Mother's Day special last week of Cardamom Yogurt Sorbet, and I know that's not comparable to ice cream, but just so you know, they may still have some of this to taste.

I thought Patel Bros. would definitely have it, but they didn't.

Because cardamom is never used alone, always in combination with other flavorings, in Indian kulfi or ice cream & even if used "alone" its never referred to as cardamom flavor. If you ask for malai ice cream (Patel Bros carries Reena brands version of this - I've purchased it many times) you'll get an eggless ice cream based on condensed cream & cardamom. The condensed cream is considered a flavor of itself, to which traditionally cardamom is added. Some recipes also add a little rose water.

Wow. You just never know when you'll learn something new here. Thanks, Athena!

Thanks for your replies everyone. Athena, thanks for the explanation. I will definitely head up there to check out their selection. It is a bit of a haul, and I wanted to make sure the trip wouldn't be fruitless.

mrrockmusic wrote:Thanks for your replies everyone. Athena, thanks for the explanation. I will definitely head up there to check out their selection. It is a bit of a haul, and I wanted to make sure the trip wouldn't be fruitless.

If you combine your trip with a visit to one of the Great Neighborhood Restaurants in the area, it will be completely worth it.

Kahn BBQ
2401 W Devon

Uri Swati
2629 W Devon

As a partner in Sweet Collective, I will second (and third!) Ruth & Phil's. Every Christmas she makes an orange cardamom ice cream, and we do currently have the aforementioned yogurt cardamom sorbet. She is all about experimenting and making new, custom flavors. I'm not sure if she would have a minimum, but it's worth a shot!

773-293-0888

Welcome, mrrockmusic. Enjoy your trip to Devon & do keep an eye open for other ice cream options in the stores. It seems every time I go up there there's a different brand or flavor to try. I miss the old Rajbhog which had both some of the best ice cream & kulfi IMO, (& you could sample them a la Baskin Robbins), so if you spot that brand anywhere that's the one to go with, but Reena is widely available & there are always others to try. Just be aware that because most commercial Indian ice creams are eggless they tend to contain a lot of stabilizers which effect the texture & mouthfeel & which not everyone cares for.