Thrifty Thurston Favors Olympic Mountain Ice Cream Flavors

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By Mary Ellen Psaltis

bayview thriftwayThe best way to eat Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is any way or anywhere you can – but my favorite way is in the company of owners Karl and Bev Black. Even after three decades of long nights, early mornings and producing tons of ice cream, both remain energized and active in the business. Both still like ice cream – and each other – as they close in on forty-four years of marriage. There’s a lot of love in and around Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.

olympic mountain ice cream
Bev and Karl Black are the husband and wife team behind Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.

If you are a long-time Olympian or local history buff, you’d know that an early foray of the Blacks was a gelato shop in the now re-purposed South Sound Center. Loyal customers loved finding the Italian style ice cream in Olympia, and the wholesale business grew. This initial start-up transformed into Olympic Mountain Ice Cream, who now serves restaurants, grocery stores and other retail outlets. All their production occurs in a surprisingly small space in one of the buildings on their farm, situated in the picturesque foothills of the Olympic Mountains in the Skokomish River Valley.

I took the drive there from Olympia one sunny summer morning to breathe in the spectacular mountain views and to take a few moments to realize that everything doesn’t have to happen fast. The secluded property is miles off the main road and then down a long gravel drive. But I knew the extra time and effort to get there was like their ice cream – it takes more of both. And it’s so worth it. Then I was invited to sample freshly made peach ice cream with the Blacks. Summer, sun, creamy peaches and sweetness blended together – sensational.

As we dipped our spoons, Karl regaled me with philosophical proposals, expounding on the delights of being part of the uplifting elements in the world.  “Life’s like a mirror. What you give is what you get back.”

olympic mountain ice cream
Olympic Mountain Ice Cream is made with real ingredients such as these oranges that are juiced individually, by hand.

Karl believes that we choose to do good, it makes a difference. And eating ice cream together certainly can cut away the boundaries. Together we imagined politicians from all spectrums sitting down together over bowls of blueberry lemon sorbet. I suggest he send gallons to Washington, D.C.

The Blacks are emphatic about quality. All their ice cream and sorbet is made in small batches and packed by hand. I watched peaches being pureed and oranges getting juiced – one at a time. He laughs and says, it “took thirty-one years to get a name!” Perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, but I took that to mean that they never cease in doing what they believe is best for their customers and for their products.

The Blacks use real ingredients like peaches in season and they toast their coconut. As Karl noted,  “Quality – it’s what sells, what people want and what people (often) can’t get.” I shared my peach with a friend who commented, “It tastes just like peaches and cream – what more could you want?”

olympic mountain ice cream
Order a scoop of Olympic Mountain Ice Cream at Bayview Thriftway. Enjoy the treat on their deck overlooking Percival Landing.

What else do you need to know about Olympic Mountain Ice Cream?

  • The #1 flavor is vanilla. They make 500 gallons every Friday.
  • Coming in at #2 is ice cream with coconut. According to Black, “every restaurant orders coconut.”
  • There are days when they mix up 1000 gallons.
  • Their sorbet is non-dairy. Black promises that their sorbet won’t leave you lacking the satisfaction of mouth feel or the dessert-ness that you hope to have. It also scoops quite nicely.
  • When peaches are in season, one hundred tubs of peach ice cream will be shipped in a single day.
  • All three of the Blacks adult children work there – Alana, Trail, and Joel as well as marriage partners and friends.

The Joseph Campbell Foundation says that when you follow your bliss “you will find your fullest potential and serve your community to the greatest possible extent.” The Blacks’ passion and dedication to providing a high quality, exquisite indulgence is lucky for all of us here in Thurston County.

It’s as easy as going into locally owned Bayview Thriftway and picking out your scoops. Bordeaux Cherry Chocolate Chip? French Custard Praline? Or Honey Lavender?  Grab a pint of Olympic Mountain gelato in the bakery section of Ralph’s Thriftway.  If you want a whole gallon (or more) call Olympic Mountain Ice Cream directly to arrange a pick up. Find your favorite flavor of bliss. I found I have more than one.

Eat Well – Be Well

Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County.  The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community.  If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com.  For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.

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