I've been a fan of Three Twins Ice Cream since I first had the unique Lemon Cookie flavor years ago at an event, where one of the founders himself was there scooping up samples. This was long before Three Twins was carried in any grocery stores, and I believe they had just one scoop shop, and did some occasional events like the one I was at. I loved that flavor, and others that I later tried. The unique flavors are good, but the just absolutely *nailed* the basics too. I have long raved that Three Twins made, hands down, the absolute best vanilla and chocolate ice creams I have ever had. For years, I always had a freezer full of Three Twins, and, literally, had at least a scoop a minimum of 5 days a week. It just pairs perfectly with everything. Yes, I may have a bit of an ice cream "problem".
Since then, Three Twins became quite successful. First I started seeing their pints in Whole Foods around the Bay Area, and then other grocery stores in the area, and then ... across the country. Three Twin's flavor line up expanded, novelties were introduced (like ice cream sandwiches and sundae cones), grab-n-go minis were added, etc. Three Twins, one of my favorite ice creams, was seemingly everywhere. I knew that Three Twins had "made it" when I was visiting my family in rural New Hampshire and saw Three Twins at the grocery store (albeit, in a special organic section, and only one flavor). But alas, the company was shut down during the pandemic, which I wrote about last week.
The Three Twins folks realized however that not everywhere goes for all organic premium ice cream sold only in small pints. The mainstream masses can appreciate quality ice cream too.
Enter Maxine's. Maxine's was the newer line aimed at mass-market (although it is still all organic!) - less premium product, lower price point, and, distributed in larger 1.5 quart packages. Available in only 6 flavors - two of which were vanilla (regular or vanilla bean) - and all quite simple classic flavors. No lemon cookies nor cardamom here.
I was eager to try it out and see how it compared to my precious Three Twins.
(Side note: Three Twins has also introduced Slim Twin, a high protein, light offering with only ~240 calories per PINT. I have yet to try this.)
"Organic vanilla bean ice cream."
I started with vanilla bean, a flavor also available in the Three Twin's line.
The first thing I noticed is that the texture actually is quite different. It is a fluffier, lighter style than classic Three Twins. Not as rich. I actually liked this, it was more akin to whipped cream, and I always struggle to decide if I want whipped cream or ice cream with my pie (ok, who am I kidding, I usually go for both). My mother wasn't as pleased with the fluffier style, although she has never had Three Twins, she just wasn't a big fan in general.
The flavor was good, but not quite as intense as the Three Twins vanilla (although, I usually have Three Twins Madagascar Vanilla, not the Vanilla Bean).
It was interesting to compare the ingredients in the Three Twins and Maxine's versions of the same flavor. The ingredient lineup is nearly identical, all organic, but in Three Twins the egg yolk comes before nonfat milk, clearly, what makes it richer. Maxine's also has guar gum added. But besides that, identical components.
Anyway, I liked it. It was clearly not as rich as the Three Twins, but this style worked. I'd still pick Three Twins Madagascar Vanilla over this for the deeper flavor, but, it is a good product, and I would also gladly have it again.
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| Vanilla Bean. |
I started with vanilla bean, a flavor also available in the Three Twin's line.
The first thing I noticed is that the texture actually is quite different. It is a fluffier, lighter style than classic Three Twins. Not as rich. I actually liked this, it was more akin to whipped cream, and I always struggle to decide if I want whipped cream or ice cream with my pie (ok, who am I kidding, I usually go for both). My mother wasn't as pleased with the fluffier style, although she has never had Three Twins, she just wasn't a big fan in general.
The flavor was good, but not quite as intense as the Three Twins vanilla (although, I usually have Three Twins Madagascar Vanilla, not the Vanilla Bean).
It was interesting to compare the ingredients in the Three Twins and Maxine's versions of the same flavor. The ingredient lineup is nearly identical, all organic, but in Three Twins the egg yolk comes before nonfat milk, clearly, what makes it richer. Maxine's also has guar gum added. But besides that, identical components.
Anyway, I liked it. It was clearly not as rich as the Three Twins, but this style worked. I'd still pick Three Twins Madagascar Vanilla over this for the deeper flavor, but, it is a good product, and I would also gladly have it again.
****.
"Organic mint chip ice cream."
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| Mint Chip. |
Next up I picked the Mint Chip, as I was not particularly inspired by any others (chocolate or coffee are good, but, I limit caffeine to earlier in the day, so not my top choices, I rarely like cookies & cream, and other than that, my choices were just the other vanilla, dubbed "Maxine's vanilla", or this).
It was ... fine.
Much like the vanilla bean, it simply wasn't as creamy, it wasn't as rich, it wasn't as ... premium, as Three Twins. It was mostly just regular, fairly unremarkable, ice cream. It did have a minty base, and I liked that it was studded with flecks of quality chocolate.
It was fine. But it wasn't particularly something I wanted, and it mostly just made me miss Three Twins. ***.
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