The Taste of Green

I like unusual flavors. Meaning, when other kids were into the Sour Patch Kids, I discovered violet pastilles on my first trip to a gourmet food store (of course, yes, I was Miss Popular!).

Nowadays, I'm the one who orders soup at a Mexican restaurant, goes for the rose pops at the ultra-hip Las Paletas in Nashville, likes the taste of bitters in a drink and is obsessed with herbs. Lavender honey. Clove chewing gum. And mint gelato.


Luckily, I have a constant source for that last one. Chef John Ondo of Lana daily creates fresh gelato, and I am fortunate enough to represent them through The Beehive. When I found out last week (while putting together the restaurant bi-weekly newsletter) that he had revamped the dessert menu, I started to palpitate ... had he removed my beloved mint gelato? (no) if so, am I nice enough that I can make a special request? (no) if not, can I make this myself? (no)

A quick phone call eased my nerves, and the mint gelato and I will be together again. Why is it so good? Because it tastes of minty green, not minty gum flavor. Because it's perfectly balanced, perfectly creamy, and perfectly portioned. And because it tastes of summer, of the bounty that is mint when it's growing unfettered, and it makes me smile with palate joy. Try it -- it might make you smile too.