I Tried Jeni's New Acorn Ice Cream, And Call Me A Squirrel Because I'm Satisfied

Well, friends, Jeni's has done it again. I don't know who asked for the brand's newest flavor, which may be the wackiest it's come up with in a long time. But I do know that whoever did the ideating that turned into this pint should immediately get a raise. It's not every day that I'm completely on board with a flavor I'd never have sought out. Then again, Jeni's tends to surprise me that way (I'm still not totally over the spicy flavor it released during the summer).

Have you ever wanted to live like a squirrel for a day? Yeah, me neither ... but you're about to thanks to Jeni's new seasonal ice cream flavor: Appalachian Acorn Pie. Unless you're allergic, nuts are likely a semi-regular part of your diet. However, I can't say I've ever tried an acorn — or even thought about trying one — before this.

Either way, I'm happy to report that my palate's been expanded in the most delightful way thanks to this new offering. If you're on the fence, I totally get it. Trust me that this flavor isn't to be missed, though. Keep reading to get the full scoop (ha!) on the new pint.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

I don't think I've tried every flavor available on the Jeni's roster. Still, I try to stay up-to-date with all the brand's latest happenings, and sample new flavors when they come my way. I'm continually impressed by Jeni's, in fact, so my bar for the brand grows ever higher in a way.

Now, its limited releases are generally knockouts; for example, the brand's Bridgerton flavor collaboration was unique and awe-inspiring while still remaining approachable for the average consumer. In other words, I admire Jeni's, so my bar was high when trying its new Appalachian Acorn Pie release. At the same time, I didn't know what to expect with this one, which is quite the conundrum for a brand. After all, to release an unfamiliar flavor and know it will appeal to the masses is no easy task. There was plenty of room in me to dislike the flavor even though I have a bias towards the brand, so I went into this tasting as neutral as possible. Yet as expected, it was (spoiler alert) delightful.

I know, the premise of this piece has already been laid out in the open: This ice cream is great. But it's also wholly unique and unexpected, and honestly? It just reinforced my belief that Jeni's can pull off whatever its Wonka-esque inventors set their minds to. I'm also pleased to say that I can now confidently describe what an acorn tastes like after this taste test.

According to the brand, it took five years of labor and research to create this flavor, and kudos to them — the result is well worth the wait. The acorn flavor somewhat parallels hazelnut in its depth, yet remains distinct from any other tree nut I've ever tried before. It's undeniably warm and tastes rich and autumnal, with some salted, caramel notes thrown in for good measure. Graham cracker ribbons fulfill the ice cream's "pie" moniker and add a crunchy element that gives the dessert some textural interest. I wouldn't call this a fantastical flavor, and it definitely doesn't try to do too much. It does, however, bring a novelty to the dessert aisle that you really can't find elsewhere.

Need I say it again? Jeni's Appalachian Acorn Pie is a standout release from the brand, and it deserves to be recognized as such. You'll find no shortage of autumnal flavors on the shelves this season, but you won't find many (or, perhaps, any) others that utilize the flavors of the humble acorn. If you're still feeling a bit squirrelly about potentially purchasing this flavor, I suggest you go grab a pint right now.

As I noted before, I'm always excited to see what Jeni's puts out. Yet the release of this flavor has ignited even more anticipation for the brand's future in my mind. What else might be in development that we won't see the fruit of for years to come? Because the Appalachian Acorn Pie feels like a distinct achievement. It's almost as novel as the brand's everything bagel ice cream, while still surpassing the "weird factor" that even the bagel flavor achieved.

Jeni's new fall flavor is only around for a limited time starting on October 1, and while I can certainly beg the ice cream gods to bring it back next year, there are never any guarantees. In other words, get one if you see it in the freezer aisle. While I couldn't find exact pricing information, expect this Jeni's flavor to fall in line with the brand's other pint offerings. Additionally, a single pint of Jeni's Appalachian Acorn Pie ice cream has three servings, and each one has 350 calories, 31 grams of fat, 32 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of protein.