Stewart's Shops Ranks 'Best of the Best' for Ice Cream & Gelato

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Stewart's Shops ranked among the "Best of the Best" in North America for its ice cream and gelato flavors at the 2016 World Dairy Expo. Its Dark Chocolate flavor took first place in the Dark Chocolate ice cream category, marking the flavor's seventh win in 10 years.

Each entry is ranked on flavor, body and texture, melting quality, appearance and color. Judging took place Aug. 23-25 in Madison, Wis.

Stewart's Milk Chocolate Gelato and Salty Caramel Gelato also won honors, placing first and second place respectively in the gelato category. Its third gelato flavor, Blackberry, previously earned an award at the 2015 World Dairy Expo, the company said.

Stewart's makes its own ice cream and gelato daily using milk from family dairy farms near its own dairy in Greenfield, N.Y. The company began offering gelato in pints last summer and currently offers more than 50 total ice cream and gelato flavors in pints, half-gallon packages or at ice cream counters in stores.

Saratoga Springs-based Stewart's Shops operates 335 convenience stores in upstate New York and southern Vermont.