Our 10 Best Tips for Trying Non-Dairy Flavours for the First Time

13 December 2017

So you’re standing in front of the freezer case at your local 7-Eleven when something new catches your eye. You lean closer, and there in the depths of the freezer you see it: a trifecta of brand-new Ben & Jerry’s flavours—and they’re all DAIRY-FREE! Aghast, you back away slowly, checking behind you to see if anyone else is seeing what you’re seeing. 

Yup, they are really there, glowing softly in the 7-Eleven lights: Caramel Almond Brittle, Peanut Butter & Cookies, Coconut Seven Layer Bar, and Coffee Caramel Fudge. You open the case and gingerly pick up the Coconut Seven Layer Bar Non-Dairy. You turn it around to look at the label: Non-GMO. Responsibly sourced packaging. Fairtrade-certified ingredients. And … almonds. Huh. No weird ingredients, no foreign fillers. Just coconut, packed chock-full of fabulous fudge chunks, walnuts, & swirls of graham cracker & caramel.

Intrigued, you open the case…and add one of each to your trolley: Caramel Almond Brittle, Peanut Butter & Cookies, Coconut Seven Layer Bar, and Coffee Caramel Fudge. Good choices! You’re in for a treat. Now here’s what to do with them when you get home:

1. Check the label

You already sussed out the important details about how we make our Non-Dairy Ben & Jerry’s—that is, in a way that’s both socially and ethically responsible—but now go ahead and check the ingredients. Almond milk for the win (with no other weird ingredients to mess with the flavour)! But can it really have all of the chunks, swirls, and nuts you love? You bet!

2. Ease in slowly

So now you know that almond milk is a key component of Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy pints, you might want to start by pouring yourself a glass. Pretty tasty, right? Now picture it frozen and mixed with all sorts of chewy, chunky, crunchy, and creamy add-ins… Mmmm.

3. Don’t overthink things

No need to complicate matters; simply crack the top of the most promising-looking pint and dig in. Like all of our flavours, you’ll likely appreciate having a spoon … but it’s not absolutely necessary. Just get into it. You won’t regret it!

4. Dig out the chunks

That’s right: we’re giving you full permission to mine those delightfully chunky pieces of chocolate sandwich cookies, graham crackers, fudge chunks, and walnuts right out of that creamy almond-y base. (Disclaimer: We’re not promising that your housemate won’t mind.)

5. Throw a Non-Dairy party

We’ve heard plenty of tales of Non-Dairy eaters going a little bonkers with the first spoonful; invite your friends over, hand out the spoons, and get ready for the big reveal!

6. Turn it into a contest

Make it a walk-on-your-hands race, a who-can-sing-the-highest competition, a what’s-the-most-embarrassing-thing-you’ve-ever-done brag-fest, or a worst-dancer-dance-off; all that matters is the sweet frozen treat that’s up for grabs at the end of it.

7. Sandwich it between two biscuits

Dig out your favourite digestives, or head to the store for an inspired new choice; while you’re technically reducing the amount of delicious Non-Dairy you can eat (because you have to actually fit the sandwich in your mouth), this is a great way to introduce yourself to a new-to-you flavour.

8. Try it for breakfast

Ok, so it’s not exactly the Breakfast of Champions. But it is the breakfast of Non-Dairy champions! (And Coconut Seven Layer Bar just happens to go perfectly with a cup of coffee…) Or, if you want to really kick the day off with a bang, combine the two in the same mug. But if you go that route, we’d really suggest using cold-brewed coffee, not a piping-hot elixir poured straight from the pot. Otherwise you might as well find yourself a straw and start sipping.

9. Smother it with your favourite adult beverage

This one’s for those of age only—but we’ve discovered that the heavens open and the angels start singing the very moment you pour Irish cream or coffee liqueur over your Non-Dairy flavour of choice. Leave it at that, or up the ante by blending Caramel Almond Brittle with almond milk, a banana, and coffee liqueur for an out-of-this-world experience. (Sip responsibly, though; we don’t want those angels singing too loudly!)

10. Turn it into a sundae, a shake, a smoothie, or a banana split

If you’re still feeling a bit nervous about trying something new, dress it up in your favourite trappings! Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy has all of the same tricks up its sleeve as the originals, so go ahead and layer it with brownies, douse it in fudge, whiz it up in the blender, or stick a cherry on top. It’s your Non-Dairy adventure; own it!