Tasty & Terrific Custard Flavors
From classic custard flavors like vanilla and chocolate or the larger taste spectrum of both sweet and savory custard dishes, custard is an incredible canvas on which to create. For centuries, it has been a staple everywhere from humble homes to royal castles and in locations both overseas and here in the United States. While the Freddy’s near you celebrates frozen custard, other culinary uses include steamed, stirred or baked savory and sweet custards. Below, learn more about how custard and frozen custard flavors are created and some of the most beloved custard flavor options today.
What gives custard its flavor?
The quality and amount of each ingredient, as well as the ingredients themselves, contribute to custard flavor. For example, the use of egg yolks and cream combined with sugar are essential to both the chemical interactions and the smooth, creamy and often slightly sweet flavor profile. Many sweet custards often incorporate salt and vanilla, further bringing out the milkiness of this combination. For frozen custard, these flavors and textures are further intensified after the cooking and cooling process by the eventual churning and freezing stages. However, the varied ratios of base ingredients in addition to many methods for flavor additions further expand custard flavor possibilities in both warm and cold creations.
How are other custard flavors created?
While the simple custard honors the very ingredients used in its creation, there are many other ways to further alter or enhance custard flavor. For example, frozen custard typically has a greater density and thus flavor intensity due to air removal during churning and, often, a higher fat content from cream and egg yolks. Additionally, herbs, spices and citrus may be infused during the heating process to enhance custard flavor in a similar fashion and timeline to classic vanilla or other flavor extracts. However, other custard flavorings need to be added once cooled, like candy pieces or nuts. The methodology of both making custard and incorporating flavor is important in order to avoid a variety of custard pitfalls, as emphasized in Food52’s custard guide.
What should be considered during the custard flavoring process?
As if preventing custard from curdling wasn’t enough of a challenge, flavoring custard can also cause problems if handled incorrectly. For example, different custard flavorings need to be added at different times or temperatures during the process. Some flavor enhancement can be done by infusing them into the mixture while others need to be folded in without overmixing the custard. The amount of liquid also needs to be managed. For example, it may be better to add fruit purees later in the process to avoid disrupting the balance of the custard base or texture. The specific custard or frozen custard creation may further impact how and when the flavor is incorporated.
What are 6 popular custard flavors?
Beloved custard flavors and dishes may vary from continent to continent and region to region. For example, in the Midwest, frozen custard is a favorite and one that has a prominent place on the Freddy’s menu. Here are 6 flavors that appear in a variety of different custard and frozen custard dishes:
Vanilla: This classic custard flavor enhances the sweetness of the custard. It also pairs well with other flavor additions such as different types of nuts or mix-ins, like cookie or candy pieces or mint, caramel and peanut butter sauces. As such, this frozen custard flavor makes a scrumptious shake, such as the Chocolate Brownie Delight, as well as many other warm and cold desserts.
Tea and Coffee: From Earl Grey and matcha to coffee and espresso, tea and coffee-infused custards may be used for both sweet and savory purposes. For your next brunch with friends or family gathering, this type of custard may be a timely filling or unique standalone dessert.
Fruit: Berries and assorted citrus fruits often appear in different custard dishes. Some recipes leverage the juice or zest for the custard flavor. In others, such as a frozen custard sundae, fresh fruit or fruit purees may be used as toppings. At Freddy’s, the create your own sundae or concrete menu offering invites guests to top freshly churned vanilla or chocolate frozen custard with sliced bananas or strawberries in addition to many other sauces, nuts, cookies and candies.
Wines and other liquors or liqueurs: From wine, like the one used in Zabaglione, to rum and bourbon to a variety of liqueurs such as coffee and amaretto, alcohol can amp up a custard dish. For example, in The Kitchn’s recipe for Zabaglione, a half cup of dry Marsala wine provides some fruity and acidic highlights to this creamy Italian custard dessert.
Cheese: Savory custards in particular leverage strong cheeses for flavor in addition to herbs and spices. This cheese-focused savory custard recipe from Mark Bittman via the NYTimesCooking includes just four ingredients in addition to seasoning – two of which are cheese selections!
Chocolate: Melted chocolate and cocoa powder are often used to flavor custard, as well as mix-ins and toppings like fudge and brownie bites. Whether in pots de crème or frozen custard, creamy, rich chocolate custard flavor remains a top choice in the history of custard creations.
At Freddy’s, we keep it classic and versatile with our dynamic duo of vanilla and chocolate frozen custard, but we mix it up with our variety of toppings, sauces and dessert styles. With options to customize dessert size and overall custard flavor, Freddy’s invites guests to personalize their frozen custard experience while also providing familiar delicious custard flavor combinations, such as peanut butter, banana and chocolate or caramel, hot fudge and pecans. Looking to wow the guests at your next party? Let Freddy’s cater your upcoming event or stop by your local Freddy’s for frozen custard pints and quarts, as well as toppings to create your own sundae bar!