From 500 flavors to five finalists: CFANS hosts ice cream tasting to decide University's 175th Anniversary flavor
What will be the newest flavor of Golden Gopher ice cream?
July 16, 2026
There are tough jobs, and then there's the job of deciding which ice cream flavor best represents 175 years of University of Minnesota legacy.
In early July, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) hosted an ice cream tasting on the St. Paul campus to determine the official commemorative flavor for the University’s landmark 175th anniversary.
The journey to the final five
Earlier this spring, CFANS called upon the University of Minnesota community to pitch flavor concepts for a new, commemorative flavor of Golden Gopher ice cream that would resonate with the University’s rich history and agricultural legacy. The response was overwhelming: nearly 500 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters submitted their most creative, thoughtful, and mouth-watering ideas.
Five submissions were selected for the next round of production and taste-testing:
- Minnesota Rouser Rhubarb features a sweetened rhubarb compote swirled into a rich honey-vanilla base. This flavor represents the history of the University of Minnesota Extension dating back to 1909, honoring how Minnesotans are served by their scientifically-grounded advice for their home gardens — which frequently include rhubarb — for over a century. The creator notes: "I've been making this at home for years, and it is always well received as a unique, refreshing alternative to the traditional strawberry-rhubarb combination."
- Wildberry Ramble features a classic vanilla ice cream base combined with a tart and sweet blend of Minnesota chokeberry, elderberry, and native pollinator honey. Rich in antioxidants and growing rapidly in popularity, these local fruits offer a unique opportunity to showcase Minnesota’s native bounty — with the hope that, in time, they will become as iconic to our state as marionberries are to Portland. The name "Ramble" honors the journeys through our state parks, prairies, and along the North Shore, celebrating the steps we collectively take to explore everything Minnesota has to offer.
- The Maroon and Gold Rush features a vibrant lemon curd base paired with a bold, dark raspberry swirl. These flavors complement each other beautifully, with the tangy lemon representing our “Golden” legacy of excellence and the rich raspberry honoring the “Maroon” traditions that have fueled us since 1851. Celebrating 175 years of unstoppable Gopher momentum, this flavor is a striking, delicious tribute to the energy, history, and bright future of the University of Minnesota.
- North Star Apple Crisp combines the sweet crunch of a classic apple crisp with a subtle, tart swirl of antioxidant-rich native aronia berry (also known as chokeberry). The University of Minnesota prides itself on developing MN Hardy apple varieties, including the famous Honeycrisp. This flavor honors that heritage — and commemorates our state’s dairy industry — by folding small pieces of apple and a textured oat crumble into the ice cream. By adding the deep purple aronia berry swirl, this treat creates a mouth-watering combination of sweet, tart, and crunch that is uniquely Minnesota.
- Father Pillsbury Puritan Pudding is a creamy maple-flavored ice cream featuring a warm blend of molasses, ginger, and a dash of cinnamon. This flavor pays homage to Governor John Pillsbury, the “Father of the University,” who is credited with saving the University of Minnesota from bankruptcy. Puritan Pudding was a beloved staple of New Hampshire in 1827 — the year and place of Pillsbury’s birth — and represents the humble roots brought to the frontier.
These top five finalists were handed over to Mitchell Maher and his talented crew in the St. Paul campus Pilot Plant, where they were thoughtfully crafted into reality.
From concept to cup: The Joseph J. Warthesen Food Processing Center (better known as the Pilot Plant) on the St. Paul campus is a hands-on hub of dairy innovation. Here, food science students and researchers master the art of production, transforming creative ideas into super-premium dairy products.
An expert panel, a tough decision
The five finalist flavors faced the ultimate test: a rigorous tasting by an expert panel of judges. Bringing together University leadership, dairy scientists, alumni and student advocates, the panel lent their seasoned palates to one of the most delicious decisions of the academic year. CFANS extends thanks to the dedicated judging panel for their time and expertise:
Rebecca Cunningham, University of Minnesota President | Job Ubbink, Head of the Department of Food Science & Nutrition (FScN) at UMN-TC |
Linda Nagel, Interim Dean of CFANS | Marcia Endres, Dairy Expert and Faculty Member in the Department of Animal Science |
Kowsar D. Mohamed, MURP, CSM, University of Minnesota Regent | Isaac Haagen, Dairy Expert and Faculty Member in the Department of Animal Science |
Rachel Visser, CFANS undergraduate student and the 71st Princess Kay of the Milky Way | Isaac Salfer, Dairy Expert and Faculty Member in the Department of Animal Science |
Kendyl Stueber, CFANS graduate student and coach of the UMN Dairy Product Judging Team | Patrice Banks, MS, RALAT, President of the CFANS Alumni Society Board of Directors |
What's next?
Which flavor will reign supreme? The official 175th anniversary UMN ice cream flavor will be formally announced — and available for purchase — in early August. Stay tuned to find out which scoop will make history!
You can buy Golden Gopher Ice Cream at these locations:
- UMN Meat and Dairy Salesroom on the St. Paul campus
