"baskin-robbins" news and stories

With the recent announcement of Baskin-Robbins retiring 5 of its iconic flavors, including French vanilla, some of our readers asked us: "What's the difference between vanilla and French vanilla besides the yellow color?"

While both ice creams use vanilla bean to flavor the cream, the base of the ice cream is where the two differ. French vanilla ice cream has a custard base, which means egg yolks (where the yellow color comes in) are used to produce a thicker, creamier texture. Heating is also involved in a custard base. The classic vanilla ice cream has a base of cream or milk that does not need to be heated.

Related: The Perfect Ice Cream Maker, Vanilla Ice Cream Recipes

Baskin-Robbins
Deal: Customers can choose any flavor of ice cream and pay only 31 cents (for 2.5 oz scoop of ice cream or a 3 oz. Soft Serve cone)
Date: April 28, 2010
Time: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Location: Nationwide, click for store locations.

Baskin-Robbins will again partner with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation will donate $100,000 to the organization in an effort to extend support to our heroes in the firefighting community.

Jamba Juice
Deal: Buy any smoothie, and get another one of equal or lesser value for free.
Date: Today through April 25
Couple available here.

Starbucks
Deal: Free cup of coffee for any customer that brings in a reusable travel mug.
Date: April 15

Jack in the Box
Deal: Free small order of fries
Date: April 16
Location: At participating restaurants. Offer not valid in Spokane, WA; Tulsa, OK.

More offers after the jump.

Irvine Robbins, the co-founder of the ice cream chain that boasted of "31 flavors," has died at age 90. Robbins died yesterday in Rancho Mirage, CA.

The first Baskin-Robbins ice cream store (called Snowbird) opened in Glendale, CA in 1945. Robbins and business partner/brother-in-law Burton Raskin wanted to give American more flavors to choose from than the usual chocolate and vanilla. They wanted a new flavor for every day of the month (that's how they came up with 31). Some of the flavors they've had over the years include Beatle Nut (for the Beatles invasion in 1964), Lunar Cheesecake (for the moon landing), Chocolate Mint, Plum Nuts, Jamoca Almond Fudge, and ChaChaCha.

Also check out the Baskin-Robbins quiz and see how much you know about the flavors.