Scoop of Nostalgia: The Story Behind Our Limited Edition Flavors
For generations, ice cream has been part of life’s best moments—county fairs, backyard gatherings, long summer afternoons. At Crystal Creamery, those traditions run deep.
We sat down with Brian Carden, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Crystal, to talk about the connection between ice cream and memory, how our limited edition flavors come to life, and what makes this year’s picks stand out.
Q: Why do you think ice cream connects so deeply with people and their memories?
Brian: Ice cream has always been my favorite dessert. For me, and I think for most people, it’s tied to nostalgia. It’s something people connect with. You think about all the special events and family gatherings where it was served—it’s always part of those memories.
It takes me right back to my youth. It was the dessert at every gathering, whether we were making it in an old hand-cranked churn or picking it up from the store. It was always there.
Q: Crystal has a long history in California dairy. How does that history influence the way you approach new ice cream flavors?
Brian: Crystal Creamery is almost 125 years old, and the company itself has that sense of nostalgia. It’s always been known for great ice cream, and with that history comes a responsibility to keep evolving—without losing sight of what people love about it. One way we do that is through limited edition flavors. They let us introduce something new, while still staying connected to the traditions people expect from Crystal.
Q: What’s the process like for creating limited edition flavors? Who’s involved, and what makes a seasonal flavor stand out?
Brian: The early stage isn’t complicated. We pay attention to trends—what’s happening in restaurants, scoop shops, even with our competitors. But where it gets complex is in the actual product development. It’s about finding the right ingredients and getting the balance right, figuring out exactly how much to add to the mix. That takes a team. We lean on our suppliers, our internal ice cream production team, and other employees throughout the process. And we always look closely at the ingredients we source. We want them as clean as possible, with no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
Q: This year’s limited edition flavors are Bananas Foster and Apple Spice Cake. What made those stand out?
Brian: Both flavors are definitely on trend, but they also have that nostalgic side. Bananas Foster reminds people of those classic, upscale desserts—the ones you might order on a special occasion. Apple Spice Cake brings in those familiar, fall flavors that feel homemade. They’re new, but they tap into flavors people already know and love.
Q: Have there been past limited edition flavors that really stuck with people?
Brian: Definitely. Since we relaunched the Crystal ice cream program back in 2020, we’ve had some great ones. But the one that stands out is Boysenberry Cheesecake. It’s one of those flavors people really connect with. It brings people back. The berry and cheesecake flavors are another timeless combo, but seeing them in ice cream makes it feel new. It did so well, we added it to our everyday line.
Q: How do you see limited edition flavors reflecting Crystal’s connection to California and local traditions?
Brian: Our limited editions have become a big part of what people expect from Crystal. They’re a way to bring in new flavors, but they’re also connected to the traditions people here grew up with. We’ve been in Northern California markets for generations, and those local ties are a big part of how we think about flavor. These limited editions are just another way we stay connected to that history.
