By Amanda N. Wegner
Blue Moon ice cream is to Wisconsin as apple pie is to America. But unlike the ubiquitous pastry, Blue Moon is relatively unknown outside the Upper Midwest.
For years, there was contention among states regarding which one had Blue Moon bragging rights. In August 2007, the Chicago Tribune, in a rousing and historically detailed article tracking the history of the flavor, ended the debate, naming Wisconsin's Bill "Doc" Sidon, a chemist who worked at Petran Products, a bygone flavor-making company, the "sentimental favorite for the title of Blue Moon inventor."
Of course, there's still debate over the matter, but for all practical purposes, sentimental, coincidental, anecdotal or otherwise, Blue Moon is ours.
In theory.
Through a series of transactions, Milwaukee's Petran was eventually bought by Edgar A. Weber & Co., a flavoring company in Wheeling, Ill. Weber holds a trademark for Blue Moon's signature flavor.
So what gives Blue Moon its distinctive taste?
There are innumerable guesses. In her 2004 book, Everybody Loves Ice Cream, Wisconsin author Shannon Jackson Arnold concurs with the prevailing e-thought: pineapple. But referring to the flavoring's ingredient list, Ken Kohlwey, president of Cedar Crest Ice Cream, says it's almonds.
"No doubt it's an interesting flavor," says Kohlwey.
The color is interesting, too. In fact, both Kohlwey and Bill Klein, plant manager of UW-Madison's Babcock Dairy, say Blue Moon's electric hue is its main attraction.
"It just jumps right out of the case," says Klein. "You can't miss it."
Former Wisconsinities reflect on their love of Blue Moon
"One of my fond memories was going to Herschleb's drive-in in Wisconsin Rapids as a kid. They still had car hops-this is late '70s, early '80s-and they made their own ice cream. This was the first time I tried and fell in love with Blue Moon."
-Brian Farrey, now in Minnesota
"Aaah, Blue Moon. I remember thee well. My father hated it, saying it tasted like Tide laundry detergent, but my sister and I loved it. For the longest time, we could only find it in one place, Ella's Deli in Madison. It was fruity (in a strange, synthetic blue sort of way) and almost as refreshing as a sorbet."
-Kyle Rudolph, now in California
"It was a tradition with a friend of mine from high school that we'd always visit Cedar Crest at Summerfest to get the biggest bowl of Blue Moon ice cream they sold. This was, of course, followed by an argument trying to figure out what it tastes like. My response was always, ‘It's a flavor unto itself, it doesn't taste like anything else, it's Blue Moon ice cream.' I also
remember the day I found a half-gallon of it at the grocery store. I think my family ate Blue Moon ice cream that entire summer. It was wonderful. Even to this day, when I'm in Madison, I'm sure to stop by the Chocolate Shoppe or Union for a taste of my favorite ice cream in the world! Only in Wisconsin!"
-Rebecca Eckhart, now in Illinois
"Can I describe the taste or recall the flavor after 20 years? Somewhat, but boy, oh boy, did I love it! What I remember most is its color and fruity flavor, the refreshing, not-too-sugary, not-too-milky taste like other ice creams. I know I do miss it."
-Brian Blank, now in California
