Basingstoke mint farm Summerdown helps create new delicious ice cream flavour for Hampshire firm Jude's

Summerdown, which is in Oakley, has teamed up with Jude’s ice cream, which is made in Twyford, to create the mint chocolate flavour as part of Jude's 20th anniversary celebrations. 

This rich and creamy, yet delicately flavoured, mint ice cream is rippled with a velvety chocolate swirl and rich dark chocolate pieces.

The flavour has been made using English Black Mitcham peppermint, which has been grown, harvested and distilled on Summerdown’s family farm for three decades. 

Head of sales and marketing at Summerdown, Jo Colman said: "We are over the moon to share this fantastic mint chocolate ice cream which recognises a long friendship between two like minded Hampshire brands.

"We are both certified as a B Corporation and are equally as passionate about sustainability and delicious food.  Collaborating to produce a product which celebrates the unique craftsmanship of both brands was a natural step."

The two farms are just over 20 miles apart and the new flavour is plant based as part of Jude’s commitment to make 50 per cent of its range vegan by 2025.

Jude’s is committed to reducing its carbon intensity and plant based ice cream has, on average, a 40 per cent lower carbon footprint than dairy.

Jude’s MD, and one of Jude’s sons, Chow Mezger sad: "It was an absolute joy to have the expertise of the peppermint people at Summerdown as we created this wonderfully balanced mint chocolate ice cream.

"Plant-based mint chocolate is unbelievably creamy, and I love the way the smooth ice cream, chocolate ripple and crunchy chocolate chips work together."

READ MORE: Jude's ice cream that started in Easton and now employs 60 people in Twyford marks its 20th year with new flavour

The flavour has already won recognition - picking up a Great Taste award. 

It is available to purchase from August 31 at RRP £4.80 for 460ml. 

The flavour will be available exclusively from Ocado, and the Jude’s gift shop. 

Summerdown farm grows English peppermint across 100 acres, which it turns into peppermint oil. It started growing mint in 1995 when Sir Michael Colman and his farm manager brought some back from America. Previously the family had been known for making mustard.

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Every single peppermint plant on the farm today is related to those original cuttings taken by Sir Michael, and has fully acclimatised to the environment, making the flavour and aroma from Summerdown Mint so refined – and unique. 

Summerdown was the second farm in the UK to be certified as a B Corp - meaning it meets high standards of social and environmental performance.