About 14 years ago, the local movie theatre near my childhood home added something new and unusual to their regular food lineup of lukewarm hotdogs, jumbo-sized sodas and the extra-large popcorn that I’m pretty sure was enough to feed an entire farm; from the little chicks to the overweight farmer and his wife.
Dippin’ Dots was the “space-aged” item that all kids (myself included) begged their parents to get before they went into the theatre to see Disney’s highly inaccurate version of Pocahontas, or some other G-rated movie that didn’t contain all of the shit I would learn to love later on in life, including using the word “shit.”
Dippin’ Dots were hard to find, very expensive, and so cold they would freeze your tongue, thus not being able to taste the flavor after the first spoonful. It’s now 2009, and Dippin’ Dots clones can be found everywhere, from vending machines in outlet malls to freezer cases at mini-marts. After seeing the Kemps IttiBitz in the freezer section, I figured it would be good to maybe go back to my childhood and experience something I haven’t had in over a decade.
Right off the bat, Kemps IttiBitz gets one point over Dippin’ Dots in the name category. IttiBitz sounds like the nickname given to the president of your local chapter’s Itty Bitty Titty Committee. I applaud Kemps for honoring those who lack in the boobage department. I would say, “Stay strong my sisters!”, but I haven’t been in the IBTC since middle school.
The IttiBitz were very mint chocolate chip-y, but the missing ingredient were the actual chips; I guess the little brown pellets were to make up for that, but for me it really didn’t. When the bitz melted in my mouth, they revealed a very creamy, full-bodied taste of mint chocolate. Surprisingly, the ice cream has some substance to it; it’s not watered down at all.
Besides having to physically bang the entire cup to separate the frozen beads that clump together, the only other downfall with Kemps IttiBitz was the same problem I had with its predecessor fourteen years ago — frozen tongue syndrome.
(Nutrition Facts – 1 cup – 160 calories, 11 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 55 milligrams of sodium, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 9 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein, 8% vitamin A and 8% calcium.)
Item: Kemps Mint Chip IttiBitz
Price: $1.49 (on sale)
Size: 1 Cup
Purchased at: Hannaford Supermarkets
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Cryogenically frozen ice cream = Freakin’ awesome. Creamy texture. Inexpensive alternative to Dippin’ Dots
Cons: Cryogenically frozen Walt Disney = Freakin’ creepy. Serving size is a little small. Needing Lactaid. Frozen tongue syndrome. High in fat.
I’ve had Dippin’ Dots once before, but I haven’t since. I think it’s the high price that keeps me away. Or because I get my fill of balls from something else — Cocoa Puffs.
I never have had Dippin’ Dots. I usually like to make a sundae when I have ice cream so not sure how well these would work for that.
I have also had Dippin’ Dots a few times but is sooooo expensive. At least if I want to “recreate” my childhood memory it cost 1.49 on sale. lol
Thank you Kayla for acknowledge the you freeze your taste buds off before you even taste the flavor! And here here to the Itty Bitty Titty Committee!
I think I will stick with REAL smooth and creamy ice cream with chips or cookies or what ever goodness in it!
Hmmmm well no too big on frozen tounge syndrome, but hey everybody needs to try this, I like ice cream in dot form. good stuff.
Love the dippin dots but very cold and I love mint. I agree dippin dots are way to costly as im so poor i put a milkshake on layaway at mcdonalds last week
THAT IS ALL
1.50….not too shabby…much cheaper than the dots.
I have like 6 tv commercial ideas for ittibitz. Unfortunately, none would be FCC approved.
I recently have had both and Dippin’ Dots are better. Itti Bitz don’t melt in your mouth the same way and they leave a waxy coating in your mouth. BUT…for about a fifth the price I’ll take it! They are just a buck at my grocery store.
Too expensive for sure!! LOVE the cotton-candy.If I eat these,I find I don’t eat the quantity ice cream as I do when I scoop my ice cream out into a bowl!! Do you have any coupons for a discount or a freebie now and then??
Can this be bought in Minnesota. My grandson has allergies and I understand these are not manufactured with nuts. He recently had some in Florida and loved them.