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In the early days of our relationship, my husband and I would plan ice cream dates. Still in our teens, we’d banter over homemade banana splits, chitchat with sugar cones in hand, and make out after milkshakes. We even shared a favorite flavor of ice cream: mint chocolate chip.
But by the time we were married, my other half developed a sensitivity to dairy. I began stocking the freezer stocked with dairy-free alternatives we could eat together. (The couple that scoops together stays together.) Over the past half decade, we’ve tried every vegan ice cream we could scrounge from our local Whole Foods, from the classic So Delicious soy dessert to the nostalgic Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free selections. But nothing has compared to Cado, the rich avocado-based frozen treat and big daddy of allergy-friendly desserts.
“Avocado? As ice cream?” I said at first. Sure, I like avocado as much as the next Southern California millennial, but I worried how the fruit might taste as a dessert. But family-run Cado, one of the first to make avocado-based ice cream in the US, proves that my favorite green taco topping has range. The ice cream, which comes in flavors like java chip, salted caramel, and our household favorite (still mint chocolate chip), has a glide-onto-your-spoon, melt-in-your-mouth creaminess that can’t be beat.
Plus, this brand is a not-too-sweet change from the many dairy-free selections I’ve tried over the years. While competitors try to disguise their almond, oat, cashew, or soy base with too much sugar or flashy mix-ins like candy or brownie bites, this avocado treat isn’t trying to overcompensate. A serving of Cado features a fraction of the sugar in that of many ice cream alternatives, ensuring I won’t get a toothache after just two spoonfuls. Like a waffle with just a dash of syrup or a cupcake with a simple glaze, this avocado isn’t hiding behind saccharine distractions—and I wouldn’t want it to.
Before Cado, I thought my husband and I might lose our wholesome ice cream socials. But now, on any given night, you can find us kicking back on the couch after dinner, two spoons in a pint of minty, chocolaty avocado magic. Just a couple of avocado cravers, digging into our favorite treat together.