Does this taste like candy grape flavor or real grapes?

It tastes like real Concord grapes—the floral, aromatic variety with natural tartness and complexity. It's not candy-sweet or artificial.

Is this a limited flavor or part of the permanent lineup?

It's part of a limited collection, so it won't be available indefinitely. If you want to try it, plan accordingly.

How tart is this ice cream?

It's noticeably tart, with tannic notes from the blackcurrant and extra brightness from the cultured buttermilk. It's much less sweet than standard ice cream flavors.

No, it contains cultured buttermilk and is a dairy-based ice cream. It is gluten-free.

Purple Star Born

gluten free
b corp

The 3-second version

Concord grapes bring sweet-sharp flavor and floral intensity
Blackcurrant adds earthy depth and a pleasant tannic edge
Cultured buttermilk amplifies tartness and brightens the finish
Limited collection—not always available
Tart and tannic, not sweet-forward
Contains dairy (buttermilk base)

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Concord Grape and Blackcurrant Ice Cream with Buttermilk

Most grape ice creams lean on artificial flavoring or candy-like sweetness because real grapes don't always translate well to frozen desserts. This one goes the opposite direction: it uses Concord grapes, the variety with the most intense aroma and natural tartness, and pairs them with blackcurrant and buttermilk to emphasize rather than mask those sharp, tannic qualities. The result tastes like the fruit itself—floral, complex, a little astringent—not like a smoothed-out approximation. If you've ever wished more ice cream flavors respected the actual taste of their ingredients instead of sweetening them into submission, this is the rare one that does.

Good gift when

People who prefer tart, complex flavors over straightforward sweet
Anyone tired of ice cream that tastes like candy instead of fruit
Fans of Concord grapes who want that exact flavor in frozen form
Adventurous eaters looking for something outside the usual rotation

Skip it if If you prefer ice cream on the sweeter, creamier side without tart or tannic notes, this will taste too sharp and earthy for your palate.

Specs

Main Ingredients: Concord grapes, blackcurrant, cultured buttermilk
Dietary Notes: Gluten-free
Format: Pint

What's included

One pint of ice cream

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Requires freezer storage immediately upon arrival

The details

This pint anchors itself in Concord grapes, the deeply aromatic variety that tastes sweeter and sharper than table grapes, with a floral intensity that carries through every spoonful. Blackcurrant adds a second layer—earthy, slightly astringent, rounding out the fruit without softening it. Fresh cultured buttermilk cuts through the sweetness and amplifies the tang, giving the whole thing a brightness that keeps it from turning cloying.

The result is a flavor that leans into tartness rather than away from it. You get the full aromatic punch of Concord grapes up front, followed by the darker, more savory notes of blackcurrant, then the clean finish from the buttermilk. It tastes less like typical berry ice cream and more like a distilled version of the fruit itself, tannic and vibrant.

This works for anyone who finds most ice cream too one-note sweet. The texture is smooth and dense, the flavor profile complex enough to hold your attention. It's part of a limited collection, so it won't be around indefinitely. If you've been waiting for a grape ice cream that actually tastes like grapes—not candy—this is it.

Jeni's Ice Creams

Purple Star Born

A tart, tannic pint built on sweet-sharp Concord grapes and earthy blackcurrant

$17at jenis.com

Quantity

Ships and sold by Jeni's Ice Creams. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Concord grapes bring sweet-sharp flavor and floral intensity
Blackcurrant adds earthy depth and a pleasant tannic edge
Cultured buttermilk amplifies tartness and brightens the finish
Limited collection—not always available
Tart and tannic, not sweet-forward
Contains dairy (buttermilk base)

Questions

Does this taste like candy grape flavor or real grapes?: It tastes like real Concord grapes—the floral, aromatic variety with natural tartness and complexity. It's not candy-sweet or artificial.
Is this a limited flavor or part of the permanent lineup?: It's part of a limited collection, so it won't be available indefinitely. If you want to try it, plan accordingly.
How tart is this ice cream?: It's noticeably tart, with tannic notes from the blackcurrant and extra brightness from the cultured buttermilk. It's much less sweet than standard ice cream flavors.
Is this dairy-free?: No, it contains cultured buttermilk and is a dairy-based ice cream. It is gluten-free.