What Are Dippin’ Dots?

Dippin’ Dots are the ice cream of the future! But they’ve been saying that since the ‘80s. Is the future still coming? Disregarding the timeline implications of their tag line, Dippin’ Dots are still a cool treat for any hot day—especially if you’re at the zoo, amusement park, or sports stadium. 

But what are Dippin’ Dots? Who invented Dippin’ Dots? Is Dippin’ Dots ice cream, really? Let’s dip into some answers on Dippin’ Dots!

What are Dippin’ Dots?

Dippin’ Dots are a treat made up of lots of little spherical ice cream balls. Biting into a spoonful of Dippin’ Dots gives a bit of an odd crunch that melts into a more recognizable smooth ice cream sensation. Are Dippin’ Dots ice cream, actually, or some sort of bizarre imposter, perhaps from another planet or dimension? Dippin’ Dots are indeed ice cream. They just made a little differently. 

How are Dippin’ Dots made?

Dippin’ Dots are made via a process called cryogenic encapsulation. You take an ice cream mix and dip it into liquid nitrogen. Usually, ice cream is made by churning the mix over time at a low temperature. This incorporates air and ice crystals into the mix. By dipping it directly into liquid nitrogen, the mix freezes instantly into small, dense ice cream balls. 

What is in Dippin’ Dots?

Wait, so is there liquid nitrogen in Dippin’ Dots? No, Dippin’ Dots do not contain liquid nitrogen. Dippin’ Dots basically contain the same stuff that’s in ice cream: milk, cream, sugar, some stabilizing agents, and flavor. They’re just frozen in a different manner than regular ice cream. 

Who invented Dippin’ Dots?

Dippin’ Dots were invented by Curt Jones in 1988. The late ‘80s were a wild time in ice cream. Novelties were popping up all the time. Stuff like astronaut ice cream and frozen yogurt were making inroads where traditional ice cream once stood all alone. Jones worked in cryogenics. He was developing longer lasting animal feed through a flash freezing technique. He got the idea to try it on ice cream. 

What stores sell Dippin’ Dots?

Most people associate Dippin’ Dots with summer outings rather than at-home dining. There’s a pretty good reason for that. Dippin’ Dots have to be stored at a much cooler temperature than regular ice cream: −40 °F. Basically, if Dippin’ Dots were kept in the same cooler as ice cream at the grocery store, those little suckers would melt pretty quickly. That’s why Dippin’ Dots are sold out of special coolers at amusement parks, zoos, stadiums, etc. 

That said, you can get Dippin’ Dots at some stores—they just need to have those special coolers, too. Check out Dippin’ Dots store locator to find a vendor near you (it might just be your closest gas station). I just make my own at home. That’s right, I have liquid nitrogen. I’ve only lost nine fingers so far.


About the Author

Will Morgan

Will Morgan, a freelance contributor to Sporked, is an L.A. based writer, actor, and sketch comedy guy. Originally from Houston, TX, he strongly believes in the superiority of breakfast tacos to breakfast burritos. Will traveled the world as one of those people that did yoyo shows at elementary school assemblies, always making a point to find local and regional foods to explore in whatever place he was, even in rinky-dink towns like Tilsonberg, ON. Will spends his birthdays at Benihana’s. Let him know if can make it.

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