It's no secret that Canada's East Coast is a treasure in the summer, and during the summer the Maritimes sure deliver some outstanding options when it comes to ice cream.
Nova Scotia may be home to local favourite 'Moon Mist' (a teal, purple and yellow ice cream whose exact flavour is still up for debate), but P.E.I. has Cows. Not just regular old cows — P.E.I. is home to the famous Cows Creamery.
Cows ice cream started on the Cavendish boardwalk back in 1983. Now with locations all across Canada, dairy products (including butter and award-winning cheese) shelved in grocery stores nationwide and iconic punny moo-chandise, the company's success speaks for itself.
In the summer, the company's ice cream is a focal point. Cows ice cream parlours serve all the traditional favourites like chocolate, cookie dough and strawberry (using fresh P.E.I. berries, no less), but their unique-to-Cows delicacies are arguably the real attraction.
With over 32 original flavours, here are some in-house Cows flavours that are no bull...
Don't worry, the ice cream is better than the jokes.
Wowie Cowie
Cows features several punny flavour names but Wowie Cowie is a classic. Described as a "vanilla ice cream [with] English toffee marble, chocolate flakes and Moo Crunch," this flavour is sure to wow even a strict ice cream classicist.
Royal Cownadian Mint
Royal Cownadian Mint.
cows.ca
A minty-fresh take on a classic combo, this flavour is described as "chocolate ice cream infused with pure peppermint oil, with chocolate marble and chocolate wafer pieces." Cha-ching!
Cookie Moonster
Cows has no shortage of blue ice cream, but between its blue offerings (other options include bubble gum and P.E.I. blueberry) Cookie Moonster is #1. A "vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough pieces and Oreo pieces," the flavour's blue colouring just takes it up another notch.
Messie Bessie
A chocolate mess is the best kind of mess, right? Well, Messie Bessie may be a chocolate lover's perfect mess because this flavour includes most of Cows' favourite toppings. A "chocolate ice cream [with] moo crunch, Oreo cookie, and English toffee," it's worth needing a few extra napkins.
The company believes that the key to delicious ice cream is making it the old-fashioned way. Luckily for us, that means that on top of the delicious original flavours, every scoop is served in a waffle cone or bowl made in-house.
With more locations in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Alberta and B.C., you don't have to venture all the way to P.E.I. to get your hands on these treats! So if you weren't already planning a trip to the East Coast this, at least plan a trip to the Cows location nearest to you and enjoy a taste of the island's favourite ice cream.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on July 5, 2018.