I was so disappointed when DF Mavens went out of business. Their products were so good! Fortunately, there are still many great brands available. See our Dairy-Free Ice Cream Reviews for dozens of options. Comparable brands to DF Mavens include Coconut Bliss and Nadamoo.
I often hesitate on reviewing a product before it is available nationwide (worldwide is even better!), but after getting just a little tasting of DF Mavens Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert (a.k.a. ice cream) at Expo West earlier this year, I just had to spread the word. Apparently, I wasn’t alone – VegNews praised DF Mavens with a ‘Best of Show Award’ at Expo West. We all think this vegan and gluten-free ice creamery will soon extend beyond their current reach because their pints are just so darn delicious.
Note that I did receive a single pint of each flavor for review, but it was not as compensation. All was shared among several tasters – including those noted – to give you an unbiased and well-rounded opinion.
Tasting Notes for DF Mavens: Coconut-Based Ice Cream
Alphonso Mango
This was the first flavor that we trialed, as Kylie was on a big mango kick. Fresh in taste, dotted with mango pieces, and not overly sweet, this was almost like eating a bowl of pureed mango, only creamier and better.
Madagascar Vanilla Bean
This vanilla is AMAZING. More flecks of vanilla bean than I’ve ever seen in a dairy-free ice cream. So many in fact, that they seem to dull the underlying coconut flavor to a whisper. Rich, creamy, utterly addicting.
Key Lime Creme
Both Kylie and I loved this flavor – a hands down winner as noted by the dirty look Kylie gave me when she found out I ate the last scoop. It has an cheesecake-like taste, but slightly lighter. I found it quite creamy, but Kylie labeled it “sorbet-like.” Everyone loved the gluten-free graham cracker crust chunks throughout.
Del Lago Chocolate
This is a near perfect chocolate – rich, luxurious, milky, sweet, not too dark, but not too sweet. We labeled it as soft, smooth and easy to devour.
Here is the nutrition label of our favorite flavor in this group:
Tasting Notes for DF Mavens: No Sugar Added, Coconut-Based Ice Cream
Madagascar Vanilla Bean
Sweet and tasty, but definitely less rich, harder-packed, and with more of an ever-present coconut flavor then the Vanilla noted above. Definitely not bad for sugar-free; there was no funny aftertaste, but it lacked slightly in creamy appeal and vanilla intensity.
Del Lago Chocolate
Fortunately, this was much softer than the sugar-free vanilla, and just a touch less creamy than the regular chocolate. It is also a little sweeter to taste – more of a sweet milk chocolate with strong coconut undertones, where the “regular” Del Lago Chocolate was more of a rich and creamy pure chocolate experience.
In all honesty, this isn’t a dairy-free ice cream type that we would purchase due to the sugar alcohols and the sucralose, and the fact that we all liked the other types better. But, this is still a tasty option for those who must follow a sugar-free diet. Here is the nutrition label for the Vanilla, as a sample:
Tasting Notes for DF Mavens: Soy-Based Ice Cream
New Orleans Salted Praline
Wow, I was blown away by this perfectly sweet, decadently rich, creamy, caramely, everything I could have hoped for, flavor. Nuf’ said.
Sicilian Hazelnut Truffle
This deep, rich ice cream was creamy and indulgent, but way too dark for Kylie and I. But thanks to some pure chocoholics, it isn’t going to waste.
Shot of Java
This intense coffee treat is definitely not my cup of tea, but espresso lovers will swoon. Deep and rich, with a smooth and creamy texture, and I believe chunks of rich chocolate.
Peanut Butter Fudge Mash
This is a very, very dense and rich peanut butter. It has a pure peanut flavor that was almost too intense for us at times. However, it is tempered by a Hershey’s like fudge wave.
Here is the nutrition label of our favorite flavor in this group:
As a whole, the sweet coconut-based group won us over the most, but the soy-based DF Mavens are perfect for times when you want intensity, decadence, and a truly creamy mouth feel. Oh, and I think it important to note, that a portion of DF Mavens’ profits goes to the organization, Mercy for Animals.
The Facts on DF Mavens Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert Ice Creams
Certifications: DF Mavens Ice Creams are labeled as gluten-free and vegan, but we didn’t note any certifications.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, DF Mavens Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert Ice Creams are vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and the select lines noted are soy-free. Note that we could not find a gluten-free certification on this company and they note wheat present on the labels. We will update if this changes. Nonetheless, check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company / product.
For More Product Information: Visit the DF Mavens Dairy-Free website at www.dfmavens.com.
8 Comments
I would love to speak with someone. How do I go about this?
Thanks,
Gloria
Hi,
I tried the Madagascar Vanilla Bean and Mango at a fair, this past weekend, and thought they were both wonderful! If, at some point they do an organic version, I think I will be really hooked. For now, am trying to stick to a mostly organic diet.
That’s fantastic Joan! Thanks for sharing your take on these frozen desserts, too!
Ugghhh. I was so excited until I saw that it is processed on equipment that also processes wheat. That is NOT gluten free for a Celiac. Oh well.
I’ve been hearing such glowing praise about the DF Mavens, but I still haven’t been able to hunt any down yet. Here’s hoping they achieve wider distribution, and soon! I would be all over those soy-based flavors especially… they sound like the perfect balance of frosty refreshment and decadence.
I think you would love this brand Hannah! What is so great, is the diversity of their ice creams (from taste to texture) – something for everyone or every mood.
I am curious about this gluten free, vegan labeling on products like the Mavens ice cream and then reading a disclaimer that it is processed in a facility with dairy, wheat, soy, nuts etc. How is it truly Gluten free and Vegan with traces of wheat and dairy? This isn’t the only product but there are many. It is very frustrating because this limits the customers who really want to buy these products.
Thanks
Melissa, the statement does not say that it is processed on equipment with dairy (see the labels above), so to the best of my knowledge it is dairy-free, but you should always check with a company when severe allergies are a concern. As for the gluten-free aspect, many certified gluten-free products are made on shared lines that are washed down between runs. I did note in this review that I wasn’t sure about the gluten-free labeling since it doesn’t appear to be certified gluten-free.