Creemee Season

Summertime is rapidly approaching and many are starting to count the days until they can return to the water, eat some corn on the cob, and/or take a break from schoolwork. However, when I picture summer in my head, I don’t see swimsuits and open calendars; I see creemees.

            The Vermont version of regular soft-serve ice cream has swept the state, making it a staple in summer time activities. One does not go out for ice cream in the summer, it is always a creemee. Creemee stands begin to pop up around the middle of April and remain in business until the end of August, making them a precious seasonal treat. The Thread, a local magazine rooted in Burlington, ranked the top cree-mee stands in Vermont to direct tourists and adventurous locals to expand from their regular stands and try the best of what Vermont has to offer. Al’s restaurant, my personal favorite creemee producer, ranked in the top five, probably because there is more fat in the cream they use.

            Thread talked a bit about how nothing sets a creemee apart from traditional soft-serve ice cream, besides the buzz Vermonter’s created. Ben & Jerry’s is widely known as Vermont created ice cream, yet during the summer, it is like it disappears for a few months. Creemees usually only come in four different flavors: vanilla, chocolate, twist, and maple. Some stands even refuse to supply sprinkles to decorate the creemee. Do creemees actually taste better than other summer treats? Probably not, but the selling point is the experience. Vermonter’s take pride in their weird quirks, and creemee stands are one of the most popular.

            My friends and I are usually looking out for signs and waving creemee flags this time of year to find our first creemee of the season. Sure, I am excited to see my family this summer, but I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on a creemee.