Some of our editor’s favorite flavors from Andia’s Ice Cream, which now ships nationwide.
Ice cream is the best dessert. But some are better than others. Andia’s ice cream is among the best in the nation.
Ice cream’s dominance is well deserved — it’s versatile, refreshing, and satisfying. Flavor combinations are endless, and it goes well atop other desserts (cake, pie, brownies, etc.) or incorporated into a milkshake, float, ice cream sandwich, ice cream cake, ice cream bar, or with toppings of its own.
Obviously, some are better than others, often due to how much air is incorporated. The cheap stuff we’ve all tried before is more affordable for a reason — you’re paying for less creamy, hard ice cream and more oxygen. That’s a primary reason (though, of course, not the only one) behind Ben & Jerry’s dominance.
When I think of ice cream shops, I mostly think of hyper-local places. They’re unique, sometimes embodying the spirit of their communities or owners and often a little offbeat and quirky. They represent places I’ve lived, like the Sundae School in Massachusetts and Ample Hills in New York City. And another great example is Andia’s Ice Cream, based in Cary, North Carolina.
This isn’t just an ode to my local ice cream shop, though — I’m writing about Andia’s because they now ship nationwide.
Started in 2014 under a different name and rebranded with the name of owner Andia Xouris, the ice cream company now employs 83 people. It recently expanded to four locations and started shipping through Goldbelly.
Ordering online and having ice cream shipped to you in dry ice is obviously more expensive than going down to your local scoop shop. But Goldbelly is a platform for premium brands, allowing you to taste food from icons like Franklin BBQ in Austin, Russ & Daughters in New York City, Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, and Langer’s Deli in Los Angeles.
Andia’s may not have the same level of name recognition, but that doesn’t mean my local ice cream vendor hasn’t generated plenty of attention. USA Today dubbed them “Best Ice Cream in the US” and Good Morning America gave them the title “Best Milkshakes in the Country.”
Those are the sorts of accolades some folks are willing to shell out a little extra cash to try.
From their Goldbelly shop, you can pick an array of Andia’s ice cream pints to have shipped to your door. There are some more commonly available flavors that are still absolutely worth it, like Cake Batter, Double Dark Chocolate, or Oreo Cookies & Cream. But I think things get most interesting with Andia’s more distinctive flavors. Here are a few to try:
- Baklava: Andia and her husband are both from Greece, and this cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnut-flavored ice cream gives us a taste of their native land.
- Ube: This bright purple ice cream gets its flavor from a purple yam that’s ubiquitous in the Philippines. It’s not as sweet as some ice cream you might be used to, meaning it’s more understated and subtle than most.
- Summer Blues: Despite the name emphasizing the blueberry compote within, the predominant flavor here is sweet lemon. It won second place for 2022 Vegan Flavor of the Year nationally, and it’s easy to see why.
- Rose Pistachio: Yes, pistachio ice cream is everywhere. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen it made with a rosewater base that adds a light taste and pink color. (top left pint below)
There are certainly more flavors worth experiencing, too — maybe order the Malted Twix and Butter Toffee Popcorn together and plan a home movie night that tastes like a trip to the theater.
One of my favorites is Andia’s seasonal Mango Kulfi, rolled out each fall during Diwali. If you’re lucky (and you time it right), this creamy and fruity south Asian treat might be part of a Flavor of the Month package you receive.
Reminder: This column is not sponsored content and doesn’t include affiliate links. It’s just our editor’s genuine enthusiasm and endorsement for various products — in this case, ice cream. Be sure to check out some of our other Obsessed columns, like this one on our editor’s favorite beef jerky.