The Odd Ice Cream Flavor Andrew Zimmern Calls 'Just Awful'

There are a lot of unusual ice cream flavors out there, and not all of them taste bad. For instance, Van Leeuwen came out with a controversial mac and cheese ice cream in 2021 that received as many positive reviews as it did head scratches. Not only has the brand dabbled in cheesy ice cream, but they've also released an oniony flavor and teamed up with Hidden Valley to bring a ranch ice cream to Walmart shelves. But these flavors are by no means the most unique out there — if you don't believe us when we tell you jalapeño pickle, lobster, fish-and-chip, and pizza ice cream exist, we wouldn't blame you.

Yet amidst all the bizarre ice creams out there, Andrew Zimmern says one particular flavor should be avoided at all costs. And the James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef knows what he's talking about when it comes to the dessert — as he told Lifehacker, "I'm obsessive about ice cream. I order ice cream online from Jeni's, from Graeter's, from Salt & Straw, from all the scoop shops I love." Judging by those shops alone, it sounds like Zimmern has excellent taste in ice cream, which makes us trust his opinion on these unsavory flavors that much more.

Have you ever heard of garlic ice cream? Shockingly, more than one recipe for the flavor exists online, although the original may have come from Gilroy, California, also known as the Garlic Capital of the World and the host of the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

Andrew Zimmern isn't just wary of garlic ice cream — he flat-out avoids the stuff and begs you to do the same. "I want to spare you the pain and agony, please don't ever eat garlic ice cream," Zimmern says on his official website. And just as he knew which ice cream brands reign superior, he also has had plenty of experience with unusual flavors. Zimmern explains he's also tried smoked salmon fudge ripple, bacon, tobacco, and blood ice creams — but garlic was his least favorite of the bunch.

Why do people like garlic ice cream, anyway? Apparently if you roast the garlic beforehand, it gives it a sweeter flavor that blends in well with what is essentially a vanilla ice cream base. Some add sweet toppings like honey or fruit, while others play up the savory aspect of the dessert with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. 

It doesn't sound too terrible, but we'll take Zimmern's word for it.