A Visit To The Ben & Jerry's Flavor Graveyard
High on a hilltop overlooking the Ben & Jerry's plant in Waterbury, Vt., is a small plot of land surrounded by a picket fence. Inside, tree limbs cast ominous shadows over a collection of nearly 30 gravestones, each bearing a solemn epitaph. This admittedly spooky place is none other than the Flavor Graveyard, the final resting place for notable flavors that have been cast aside.
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These flavors found their way into the graveyard for reasons as varied as the flavors themselves. Some were longtime favorites whose popularity declined over the years (Devil's Food Chocolate); others popped up to take advantage of a fad or trend that quickly faded (Makin' Whoopie Pie). Still others were released with high hopes but just didn't sell (Peanut Butter and Jelly). Some were made only available in scoop shops (White Russian). And while once in a blue moon a flavor is taken out of retirement, the vast majority of these flavors will never see the light of day again.
Ben & Jerry's is constantly innovating and releasing new varieties, but if no flavors were ever retired then there would quickly be a back-up, and way too many options to choose from when the ice cream craving strikes. More than 200 flavors have been retired to far, and more are added to the pack every year. But only the truly memorable ones make it to the Flavor Graveyard.
Read on to pay your respects to those flavors that are no longer with us.
Dan Myers is the Eat/Dine Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @sirmyers.