Last updated on March 11, 2023
Ralphs Private Selection Huckleberry Pie Ice Cream Review
Ralph’s says: Huckleberry ice cream laced with cinnamon ribbons, and studded with buttery streusel pie clusters.
Last week I wrote that within a short time, I decided to try two “healthy” ice creams, both new on the shelf. (I define healthy ice cream as having either a nut or a fruit in the title. That’s all it takes.)
In Part 1, I reviewed the high-end luxury ice cream from Gelson’s : Coolhaus Balsamic Fig and Mascarpone Ice cream.
Part 2
The other new flavor I bought was from Ralph’s, a big grocery chain: Ralphs Private Selection Huckleberry Pie Ice Cream. (Private Selection is Ralph’s premium house brand.)
Design and Packaging
Ralph’s used to have great branding: all of their products, including dry goods, and household supplies, were almost all black, with white lettering! It might sound depressing, but it really popped on the shelf, and looked great in the kitchen, too. Black in a white kitchen — cool!
Another advantage, with that original packaging, you used to be able to grab their products with barely looking at the title. However, it’s all gone now. I think they call this edition Home, and it’s some wifty white with blue sky.
Anyway, maybe because they hired that smart designer again, their Private Selection ice cream has a lot of black on the carton and lid. Handsome, with gold lettering in a fat Georgian-type font. I like seeing it in my freezer.
Ralphs Private Selection Huckleberry Pie Ice Cream
After jumping into the Coolhaus pint of Fig and Mascarpone ice cream, and jumping right out, (not a fan) I felt a little bummed that I had bought the Ralph’s Huckleberry Pie ice cream. Was 2 healthy ice creams in a week too much? However, I was very pleasantly surprised!
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten huckleberries before, even though this is California, berry central. The base is tart, flavorful, pale violet, and it has a good amount of sweeter pie crust pieces strewn throughout to contrast with the very slightly sour taste of the berries. Mix-ins are tricky for creameries, but they got it right with this one.
I’ve already bought it a second time, as a refreshing “healthy” alternative to my usual chocolatey ice creams. It’s yummy. And did I mention that Private Selection ice creams are usually on sale, at an excellent price? 🙂 Note: This is probably a seasonal flavor.
What others are saying about Ralph’s Huckleberry Pie Ice Cream
I guess I thought a big brand name like Ralphs invented ice cream flavors in a big kitchen or something, but surprise, the Huckleberry Pie flavor was invented by Sara Wells, a food blogger in Idaho, who co-writes Our Best Bites.
Long before we ever partnered with Private Selection, I basically went door-to-door (exaggeration, but not by much) proclaiming my love for their amazing ice cream line. That’s why it was a little dream come true to actually participate in a contest where Kate and I created our own custom ice cream recipes representing our home states.
So Ralphs Private Selection had a contest, and she and her cooking partner won! Good for them, cracking a huge market like that.
And Sara is from Idaho, so I guess that’s where huckleberries grow. Uh-oh, the Idaho Statesman writes that huckleberries are in short supply, so it is seasonal — better get this ice cream while you can!
Ralph’s is calling it artisan, and it has 4 stars from visitors.
I don’t see any more reviews yet, so you’ll just have to try the ice cream yourself – and I invite you to leave your opinion in the comments.
Last Bite
3 stars.
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