Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Bacon & Maple -- The Future of Ice Cream?
()
Scoops, a colorful little ice cream shop and gelateria next to LACC on Heliotrope, is the creation of a man named Tai, who went to CalTech and clearly loves his customers. He lets them try each and every flavor as many times as they see fit until they've picked the right one, (although at a dollar a scoop, why not pick two, right?) and relishes watching them grow giddy as they hop from one to the next, slowly building momentum as they make sense of the exotic flavors -- Blackberry Mint, Pea & Tahini, Green Tea & Figs...
Each flavor is made by Tai daily, and no day's menu is exactly the same. So, be careful what you fall in love with, it might not be there on your next visit.
Except for Brown Bread. It'll be there. It has been since the beginning.
Support for LAist comes from
Whether or not Scoops has the most dazzling array of flavors ever concocted is open for discussion, but I know of nowhere else where Grape Nuts are thrown into the mix. Brown Bread does just that, complimenting the cereal with a slightly bitter caramel ice cream. It was the first flavor to sell out the last time I was there. I guess there is a lot to be said for tradition.
I thought Lemon & Basil sounded promising but it never got on its feet. The fruit’s tartness shot out of the gate but was quickly floored by too much basil. A hint of salt didn’t do much to help things.
The best flavor I tried, cashew & cardamom, seemed simple at first. But, when the peppery spice began materializing from beneath the rich, nutty base, I started to think that each subsequent bite was going to reveal more of some profound, life-altering truth.
()
Tai usually features a few vegan options too, if you swing that way.
And then, there’s Bacon & Maple, possibly the most original and easily the most disturbing ice cream flavor, ever.
I have yet to be there when the ice cream has, but having sampled many of Tai's wares, I can actually imagine him pulling it off. Something about the interplay of salt and sweet, maybe even a little smoke.
Support for LAist comes from
Like any great craftsman, Tai pushes the boundaries of his medium, trying to do things no one thinks possible, and isn't afraid to fail. It’s just that in his case, success is attained by distilling a wholly complex and unique flavor into scoop form.
And personally, I hope he keeps striving for that success for a very long time.
Top photo by Wathana Lim
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist