Turkish Mocha

It’s no wonder that coffee and chocolate are old friends. They each have flavors and textures that are earthy, bitter, rich, and smooth, and the real magic of their combination is how they share and mingle these contours together. As they’re enjoyed, it’s always an enticing journey to follow the swirling luxury that seems to unfold. Enter cardamom, a surprise guest at this little party. Cardamom lifts our main ingredients’ grounded flavors, with an effect that’s brightening and almost cooling. This can be a powerful spice, and its menthol-adjacent character can be overpowering when it’s used with abandon. We strive for a careful balance here—just enough cardamom to brighten and contrast with the dance that coffee and chocolate are playing, but not so much that she interrupts their intimate and seductive dialogue; she doesn’t wear out her welcome at the party. Our Turkish Mocha is one of the most finely balanced ice creams you can find, and we dare you not to have that extra bite.

Turkish Mocha is one flavor that we find difficult to pair with things—but that’s only because we usually get so deep into eating it on its own that we tend to forget other foods for a while! Coffee is always a great idea after a meal of particularly rich foods: its inherent bitterness finds a way to be refreshing when you’ve indulged a little bit. Complementing that, cardamom cools and uplifts, even as it eases digestion! So the next time you’ve had a rich meal, maybe a hearty wintertime cassoulet or some braised pork belly (or, if you’re like us, just lots of cheese on everything), reach for an ice cream that’ll give you a nice, gentle belly rub afterward.

If you’re putting Turkish Mocha on a dessert plate, look no further than a slice of excellent, dense chocolate cake. We didn’t overwhelm you with chocolate in the pint, there’s just enough to play with the espresso and the cardamom. Take it to the next level for a dessert pas de deux you’ll be eager to share with friends the next time you make a chocolate cake for dessert!