Summer is definitely here now that we are up to hitting 90 degrees F with that 12 hours and more of gorgeous sunshine beaming down on us. That also makes it ice cream season. Have you been to Little Bean PDX, which recently opened at NW 12th and Johnson in the Pearl? It’s worth the hype – Little Bean PDX is the best vegan ice cream I’ve ever had. And, they have much more going for them then ice cream, if that isn’t already enough.
First of all, the ice cream is made of chickpeas – and you can’t really tell. They offer many satisfying fun flavors that go well together mixing and matching to make your favorite combination. My favorite is Orange Caramel with Cold Brew Coffee, which brings together orange creamsicle with a nod to affogato. It just barely inches it way to my top pick over the Szechuan Strawberry with Cherry Chai.
Other flavors for your consideration include Triple Chocolate, Blackberry Basil, Mint Matcha, and Lemon Ginger. The texture is creamy and rich, even though the ice cream is non-dairy, nut free, soy free. I have always preferred ice cream in a cup so I can use a spoon and combine flavors in my bite and it’s less messy, but you can also opt for one of their plain or chocolate chickpea waffle cones.
The Little Bean PDX scoop shop and cafe space is totally cute too – very open with room for the kids to gather round and pretty photogenic. This is also their production kitchen so you can see everything being made, including the pastries and bread fresh daily.
Little Bean PDX is the best vegan ice cream, but it offers more then ice cream. I was surprised and totally blown away by how moist and delicious their open faced sandwiches / aka “toasts” are. All the bread is baked daily here and are also gluten-free. You can purchase a toast that is slathered with some toppings in interesting combinations – or just buy the bread outright yourself as a loaf. Toasts/Stuff include options of
- Banana and Chickpea butter on Brioche
- Sweet Pea and Radish on Sesame Loaf
- Beets and Vegan Cream Cheese on Pumpernickel
- Cauliflower and Romesco on Olive Loaf
They also offer many options of baked goods, most which are vegan – be sure to ask because there are a couple that have egg but most are vegan. Think goodies ranging from Orange Sesame Cake, S’more Tart with Graham Crust, Olive Oil Cake with Strawberry, Apple Huckleberry Ginger Muffins, Carrot Tarragon Cake, and Lemon Blueberry Scone.
Cookies run the gamut from the classic Chocolate Chip and Sea Salt, Ginger Snap, and Oatmeal Raisin to Fig Fennel, Cranberry Coriander, or Coffee Cookies.
The Black Olive Oreo is a controversial flavor combination that uses olives – half love it, half are not a fan. Which camp would you be in?
Little Bean is also a cafe – as you can tell from all the pastries. Order up a beverage to wash it down on the coffee/tea side like a Cappucino or Chai on tap, perhaps with some chickpea milk. Seems appropriate given Little Bean is based entirely on the non-dairy, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, non-GMO, sustainably-produced, environmentally-friendly chickpea.
Chickpeas? Really?! Yes, really.
Disclosure: I’ve had Little Bean PDX a couple times now, but most of the photos above happened to be from their kick off party for family and friends where many of those who have been supporting Little Bean since last year celebrated the opening of their brick and mortar location, so some bites represent sample not regular servings.
I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment and the views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.
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