This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Around here, we consider Aug. 1 the official start of the dog days of summer, when all we want to do is chill.
Fortunately, in Utah — the ice cream capital of the country, per capita — we don't have to go far to find a cool summer treat.
Because we want eat on the company dime, The Tribune features staff has volunteered to spend the month of August tasting our way through some of the finest frozen confections Utah has to offer.
Today we focus on ice cream, but throughout the next 31 days we'll sample gelato, frozen yogurt, shave ice and any other icy cold confections that will help us beat the heat and give us a sugar rush.
We'll focus mostly on locally-owned stores and parlors that either make their own products or offer something unique. If you've got a suggestion that fits our description, email it to features@sltrib.com or leave a comment online and we'll consider checking it out.
Look for our daily picks in The Mix features section every Wednesday and Friday. On the other days of the week, you'll find our suggestions at http://www.sltrib.com/Lifestyle
So here's to a month's worth of licking, slurping and brain-freezes.
DAY 1
Lychee ice cream • Think island breezes and ocean waves when you taste this unique ice cream made with exotic lychee. The delicate white flesh of this fruit is pureed before being added to a creamy base. The final flavor is a bit like pear, or possibly grape. One thing is certain: The taste is refreshing.
Where to get it • Tropical Dreams Hawaiian Ice Cream, 928 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City; 801359-0986 or http://www.tropicaldreamsutah.com.
Hours • Monday through Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Prices • Small, medium or large cups from $3 to $5.
Shop talk • This shop — where a yellow surf board serves as an eating counter — doesn't offer standard ice cream flavors. Instead, owner Joshua Plumb imports guava, mangoes, passion fruit, macadamia nuts and other tropical ingredients for his super-premium ice cream.
"My family's favorite place to vacation is Hawaii," Plumb said. When he decided to open a Salt Lake City ice cream business — something his grandfather did in the 1940s — he decided to offer something different than the standard strawberry, chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Tropical Dreams also follows an island mantra when it comes to operating hours. It's only open from April through September, the heart of the ice cream season. Plumb's grandmother sells hand-made chocolates from the shop in November and December.
Tropical Dreams most popular flavor is the chocolate macadamia nut, lemon is a close second. It also sells gelato, sorbet and shaved ice.
Dish us your top scoops
I Got a local favorite cold treat The Tribune should write about during our 31 days of summer? Drop us an email at features@sltrib.com or leave a comment on the http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/BitebyBite.