"VanillaBeanCoolatta" news and stories

Like every chain hailing from a specific region, Dunkin' Donuts is especially dear to many New Englanders. Once upon a time before the dawning of Starbucks, it was the only place to go for a Sunday morning coffee-and-donuts run -- usually with a groan of "time to get the donuts." In Boston, directions to Logan Airport are given via its locations: "Turn left at the first Dunkin', right at the second."

Although the chain has since gone national, it was no surprise to us that some folks -- probably New Englanders -- were furious when the Vanilla Bean Coolatta was discontinued over a year ago. It's a mysterious creation of ice and what DD's senior director of brand marketing, Scott Hudler, calls a "dairy-based cream" and the "taste of vanilla bean."

And although it's a "trade secret" as to whether there's actually vanilla bean in there, the thing has crazed fans. A quick Internet search reveals one enraged customer visited four separate shops the day the Coolattas were discontinued more than a year ago.

Happily enough, they're back, starting Wednesday.