Blue Bell finally in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Ice cream is probably one of the most popular frozen desserts around the world. It is creamy and sweet and often times considered  the best refreshment during the summer season. It comes in different flavors that will surely satisfy one's own discriminating palate.

The latest ice cream  brand to reach the Philippines with  Cebu as its main outlet  is Blue Bell Ice Cream, the number three selling ice cream in America, despite the fact that it is only sold in 22 states.

It all started on a hot summer day when local farmers decided to establish the Brenham Creamery Company and make butter from excess cream brought  by area farmers. A few years later in 1911, the creamery began making ice cream, hand-cranked in a wooden tub filled with ice and salt  and delivered to neighbors by horse and wagon. It was in 1930 that the company changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries after the native Texas bluebell wildflower.

Blue Bell Ice cream is proudly made the old-fashioned, traditional way. It makes use of the finest milk, cream, sugar and other ingredients. It then mixes in their secret homemade recipe topped off with the special skills and knowledge developed over the years.

Through the years Blue Bell has produced many innovative products including the original "Cookies and Cream," but the most popular flavor is the plain and simple Homemade Vanilla, created in 1969 which fans say taste remarkably like the hand-cranked ice cream folks used to make on the porch during long summer evenings.

For its  grand opening, Visfood Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Blue Bell Ice Cream in the Visayas, hosted an afternoon of games, prizes and surprises at the Activity Center of Ayala Mall. On hand to welcome the invitees were its President Jeff Puno, VP-Marketing Ebe Puno and VP- Operations Aina Puno Sanchez. Everyone enjoyed tasting and savoring the  14 variety of flavors such as strawberry,  banana split, rocky mountain road, Dutch chocolate, butter crunch, banana pudding, red velvet cake, rocky road and a lot more. It also has frozen single-serve snacks that include almond bar, country cone vanilla, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip country cookie.

It has inspired an enviable loyalty among its many devoted supporters. Astronauts have carried Blue Bell Ice Cream into space twice and both presidents Bush had them shipped from Texas to the White House and Kennebunkport.

 Of course the ultimate taste test will come from each individual, but do go ahead and pick up some Blue Bell ice cream . Once you do, you will know why it is one of the top branded ice creams in  America  and without a doubt soon in the Philippines.