Unfortunately, all Rice Dream Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert products were discontinued. They still make Almond Dream Ice Cream, and you can see our Dairy-Free Ice Cream Reviews section for more options.
Whenever there is mention of using a dairy alternative, it seems the first thought that comes to everyone’s mind is soy and coconut. While many are based on those two, Rice Dream is changing it up with their rice-based ice creams and treats.
One that I have been particularly eager to trial is rice-based “ice cream.” Though I have been quite pleased with two of the soy-based brands, one can not live on soy alone. As soy cheeses and tofu have begun sneaking into my refrigerator, the need to swap out some other soy treats for rice or nut based options has crossed my mind.
Tasting Notes for Rice Dream
So began my first non-soy, non-dairy frozen dessert adventure. In my local area, there are two mainstream brands. After checking both out online, I went for the most alluring slogan first. Yes, the marketing gurus of Rice Dream deserve (dairy-free) brownie points for coming up with, “Discover how delicious dairy-free can be.”
For our first trials, I reached for pints of Orange/Vanilla (now Discontinued), Carob Almond (now Discontinued), and Mint Carob Chip. With scoops and bowls in hand, I called in some eager taste-testers. Somehow there is never any shortage of samplers when frozen dessert is involved.
Organic Vanilla
As I attempted to scoop the Rice Dream from the pint, I noticed a difference between this rice-based dessert and its soy and dairy rivals. It tended to “chunk” rather than roll smoothly within our utensils. Nonetheless, the creamy appearance still held promise.
The solid texture melted quickly on my tongue into a deliciously sweet “milk”. But then, the smooth flavors gave way to a an unfamiliar bitterness. We all concurred that it must be a natural side affect of the brown rice base, and possibly unavoidable.
Aside from this after effect, I was quite pleased with the natural vanilla flavor. In small quantities I continued to enjoy this take on an old favorite, but too many consecutive bites seemed to stockpile the bitter-syrup combination. Of course, the reviews were quite mixed. One taste tester enjoyed the flavors and could detect only sweetness. Another proclaimed the frozen dessert far to bitter and immediately moved onto the next flavor. I fell somewhere in between, somewhat pleased, but not sold.
Mint Carob Chip (Now has High Cross-Contamination Potential with Milk)
I was a bit hesitant on this flavor. The Mint Pies from Rice Dream that we tasted the week prior seemed to be injected with extreme peppermint. I feared the same for this pint, but felt it was our duty to put it to the test with no preconceptions.
This was the perfect flavor for the cool and refreshing ice milk feel of Rice Dream. Alas, it was still too minty for any of our taste-testers. The concept worked: light, creamy, peppermint dotted with small chunks of carob. If only we could get the “ice cream” crafters at Imagine Foods to use a lighter hand with the peppermint oil. The strong minty flavor seemed to enhance the bitter undertones.
Luckily, all was not lost. Though this flavor was too potent when solo, I suddenly had the craving for a chocolate mint shake! We blended equal parts Rice Dream Mint Carob Chip and chocolate hemp milk and reached milkshake perfection. Even our bitter-taster was thoroughly satisfied!
Organic Cocoa Marble Fudge
Unlike some of the other Rice Dream flavors we had trialled, my ice cream scoop glided with ease through what appeared to be a relatively soft texture. I was finally able to serve up those picture perfect round balls of “ice cream” that I had been striving for.
With my first spoonful I did confirm that this version was a bit smoother than the other varieties. It still retained more of an ice milk feel, but it exuded a silkier more fluid behavior. Then it struck me. The flavor, the texture, it was all so familiar. De ja vu hit, I knew that I had experienced this somewhere before. Of course, it was so evident, how could I have missed it? It was a fudgesicle! If someone took a fudgesicle and packed it into an ice cream container, this would be it! From the kid-friendly chocolate flavor, right down to the dense, yet refreshing consistency, there was no other way to describe it than fudgesicle. I turned to the others and announced my discovery. They each concurred that it did have that fudgesicle essence.
It took a few bites before I noticed, but the occasional ribbon of fudge was intertwined within. More childhood flashbacks hit, as I noted the Hershey-like quality of this thick chocolate syrup. It was a nice addition. As we reminisced, it was agreed that these chocolate flavors did tend to meld best with the rice-based backdrop. Of the quart flavors, Cocoa Marble Fudge was the hands down favorite of every taste tester.
But we haven’t tried the Organic Strawberry Rice Dream yet!
The Facts On Rice Dream Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
Certifications: Rice Dream is Certified Kosher Parve and Non-GMO Verified. Some varieties are Certified Organic.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Rice Dream is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Select varieties are gluten-free and soy-free. Nonetheless, read the label and check with the company on their manufacturing processes before consumption 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 Rice Dream website at dreamplantbased.com
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What Others Are Saying ...
Not freedom of choice but money payouts. You have tompay for shelf space in markets now .
Deeply sad that a subsidized product which is highly addictive and has created first national then international epidemics of so many illnesses cant be left outbof at least a handfull of products Not only were they sugar free they used CAROB which has no caffeine and when we oeruse the frozen section we now have virtually nothing available. Certainly not organic. Welcome to the corporatocracy. Trader joes puts sugar in almost Everything they make. Without it we’re missing our fix so everyone has to have an addiction satisfied to feel complete. Otherwise something is missing. Thise of us who chose health and appreciate flavor snd aspire to true wellbeing aren’t sponsoring the American greed machine. Rice dream always had the bedt price and best product. Now we watch the revolving door of upstarts that Dont last.
LOVE RICE DREAM
I love rice dream its so delicious an allergy to soy and almond milk rice dream was my go to
So sad
So sad rice dream vanilla dessert was discontinued. It was a great option for persons allergic to soy/nuts/dairy.
Why?
I can only surmise that Whole Foods/Amazon kicked Rice Dream confection to the curb because it was the last of an actual health food products using a real natural sweetener. Not cane sugar enough for John Makey. When Whole Foods bought ownership of the Natural Food distribution company it was the deathnell of healthy products. They control what goes to every mom and pop health concerned operations and have the ability to curb sales.
Some added info
I did enjoy your article. Did you know that Rice dream was originally founded be a man named Robbins. I believe the son from bask an Robbins
He sold out to Hain who destroyed the product by changingthe recipes and discontinuing some of their best products. Fine they made it organic.
The original Rice Dream had no added refine white sugars
All the newer competitor’s products contain a lot of sugar
Which probably makes it cheaper to manufacture. I’ve tried making it at home using the Rice Dream drink, but doesn’t come out so good. I could blab on some more but I think I’ve said enough
I am Very Disappointed they got rid of Dream Milk Ice Cream!
I am Extremely upset that they got rid of Dream Milk Ice Cream! Dream Rice Milk, is the only milk I use or drink! I like it because it is the “ONLY MILK OR ICE CREAM” With “NO Allergens!!, It Doesn’t have “Nuts, Eggs, Dairy, Wheat, Soy, or Citrus!!”. So it is safe for Almost anyone!! It is neutral. Yes it isn’t the most fantastic of flavoring because it is not actually “Milk at All”, I am very glad it doesnt taste like milk. Most find Dream Milk to be too watery, I totally disagree as I hate heaviness of milk. Why I do not drink milk or like ice cream as I am not a dairy person. This Product is Good Because it is Soo Neutral for Anyone. Alllll of the other ice cream or milk is either dairy, coconut, almond, or soy. Lastly if it doesnt contain one of these it contains some other type of nut or citrus. I am allergic to Citrus and Soy!! Coconut is found in some Rice Milk which is okay because it is the least Allergenic of the Allergenic list. I know some how the Milk is going to be discontinued too and if they completely discontinue rice milk I will be soo angry. As I do not like milk at all. This milk causes me no problems, a lot of dairy free milk is either almond or soy and soy makes my face and lips swell up! Idk Dream or not rice milk must stay in the stores and its products. I mean the other ice cream brands make “Literally No Sense”, they say they are “Allergy Friendly and Have no Allergy Ingredients”, then they turn around and have one of the ingredients I just mentioned in it!! Rice milk is safe for everyone, the other brands are not!! I am a Dream milk costumer. I hardly even see dream milk in the stores let alone the ice cream etc. I love Dream Milk. Please Do not Discontinue it!! It is an acquired taste, its not for everyone, but there are people who can only have this Brand! A product shouldnt be just about what is “Good to Public Eye”, but Good for “Those People Who Cannot Otherwise Participate in Certain Foods due to Allergies etc”. Dream Milk makes a perfect vegan product. I never feel as good with the other diary free milk, they are much heavier and like I said have either nuts, soy, or diary products in them, if they have non of those instead they have citrus. I give a 4 Full Stars for Dream Rice Milk. I use it as a milk ingredient for everything.
What am I going to have for desert now...
I wish it was not discontinued… I can’t have dairy, soy, almond, cashew, chocolate or anything lactose. I only drink rice dream vanilla. That is why the ice cream was perfect. Now what am I going to do… 🙁
Rice dream ice cream
Beyond disappointed you stopped making rice dream ice cream. It was our favourite and we hate soy. 🤢 Any chance you can share the recipe if you’re not gonna make it anymore? Also, we live in Kelowna, can you tell me where I can find the almond ice cream? I’d give it a try.
Response from Go Dairy Free
You would need to contact Hain Celestial, the makers of Dream products, for these answers -> http://www.dreamplantbased.com/
30 + years of no ice cream.
After not having ice cream for 30 plus years I was so happy to find this product! But the only place that I could find it no longer seems to be able to get it anymore. I am so sad,
RICE DREAMS ICE CREAM - WHERE TO PURCHASE
Looking for a place to purchase rice dreams ice cream. Our grandaughter has allergies. Cannot have dairy, tree nuts and peanuts. Live in Queens, NY. Any suggestions where to purchase this. Whenever we have a family birthday party she is always excluded from what everyone else is eating. 🙁
Response from Go Dairy Free
It’s been discontinued.
10 Comments
My grandson has dairy, egg, and nut allergies. He loves your product, but the availability of the Vanilla flavored Rice Dream Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is very sporadic and we frequently have problems obtaining this product. I have currently spent two days trying to find a new location.
Please tell me how to use the Rice Dream frozen dessert. It was so stiff I could hardly get it out of the container. Also it wouldn’t melt…even on hot apple pie. Is it more to be used like Cool Whip, melted and stirred?
That is so strange. I’ve never had that problem with it. It typically softens at room temperature and then melts. Was it like ice? Did you contact the manufacturer? Very bizarre!
I was wondering do you know of any stores that sell this rice dream ice cream in arizona because i have not found one yet and if you don’t know any then what type of shops should i look for a place to start.
I’ve seen them at several natural food stores, a coop, and a little bit in mainstream grocers. They have a “where to buy” tab by product on their site – http://www.dreamplantbased.com/where-to-buy/
I live in CT please tell me where I can find rice dream items
Hi Brenda, they have a new website which might be helpful – http://www.dreamplantbased.com/
Hi, I live in Belleville, Michigan and am looking for stores that sell Rice Dream Bars.
Hi Christine, do you have a Whole Foods or other natural foods store nearby? They might carry the pints of Rice Dream. You might want to institute a special order of the Rice Dream Bars. Most have a peanut sprinkle after being drenched in chocolate. Yum, but get them home right away or they will melt.
hi I live in n. Ireland looking a retailer who stock the products?