DF Mavens Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert

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.