So, it’s the season of giving again, and you’re days away from your next potluck, and you don’t have the energy to cook. Maybe you’re invited to your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s family celebration this holiday and want to bring something that stands out. Perhaps you just really want something new to bring to the table to spice up the food rotation you always prepare for the holidays. Whatever your reasons are, you should add Maura Shore’s Ice Cream to the mix.
Maura Shore Creamery is a proudly Davao-made ice cream brand, locally produced. It’s a family business, born from the innovative mind of the family’s youngest member, Joshua Lim So. While not a lot of people know of this ice cream brand, those who have tasted their premium flavors will surely understand when I say their ice cream deserves way more hype.
Not to be dramatic, but it definitely deserves praise when it can level with international ice cream brands. If you think about it, it’s like Davao’s own version of Carmen’s Best, just not hyped enough. Of course, I wouldn’t invest the time to talk and write about it if I hadn’t tried their ice creams. And let me tell you, some of their flavors are so ingenious that I have not seen other flavors being offered from the local grocery stores.
Their official store location is at 6 Alzate St, Bo. Obrero, Davao City. The great thing about it is that you can order a chublet (236 ml), a pint, or a 1-liter-sized ice cream from the comfort of your home, as they are available on foodpanda. The following flavors are perfect for all types of occasions and can suit different personalities: Earl Grey with Lemon Pound Cake, Fudge and Cash in Banana, Revel Bar, Mango Float, Brown Butter Pecan, Chocolate Chip, Milk & Cookies, and Cold Brew Coffee.
On foodpanda, they have 100+ ratings and maintain a 5/5 star rating. This store has become an instant favorite of mine. While I have not tried all of their ice creams, I have definitely tried five flavors from their selection, and here is a helpful guide if you want to add them to your holiday feast.
Earl Grey with Lemon Pound Cake
This ice cream doesn’t really have a main-star energy. You know how, when there is a kid’s party, it becomes an unforgettable party because it has those tanks of ice cream? This ice cream is not that, but it is more on the low-key vibe. The flavor isn’t loud but is distinguishably delightful.
This is a cozy ice cream after a big feast. Think of it as the frozen equivalent of an after-dinner tea: it is light and comforting. It’s something meant to be savored rather than voraciously gorged on. It settles your palate instead of overwhelming it.
It shines more in intimate settings. When all the bursts of energy have drowned out, this is the best ice cream to serve. This is also best for family dinners with older relatives who prefer something gentle and refined. Also, for small gatherings of friends who appreciate subtlety and enjoy gastronomic exploration of flavors, and like to compare notes like a little wine club.
This ice cream isn’t the main star, but it’s quite confident. Its flavors are of robust black tea with subtle vanilla and citrusy notes. It is never short of delicious chunks of lemon pound cake, which highlights the black tea flavor even more. Really light sweetness and not a loud flavor.
This is a nice selection if:
- You like light, subtle flavors and want something that is not saccharine to add to the table.
- You have more adults who enjoy or prefer tea-flavored ice cream than kids in the family.
- You are hosting or attending a more intimate and low-energy celebration.
- You prefer to eat this as an after-snack from a post-feast celebration.
Cold Brew Coffee
This flavor fits perfectly for families who like to celebrate their parties with fun, laughter, and games. The cold brew coffee provides a burst of energy from its caffeine, making it ideal for people who want to extend the fun until the sun rises.
The ice cream has a rich espresso essence and has chocolate chips that elevate the experience. The contrast of the sweetness and bitterness provides a rich and bold flavor profile. The ice cream-to-chocolate chip ratio is perfect. It’s indulgent and keeps everyone engaged and awake until the next game or song is queued in the karaoke.
This is also great for parties with friends who like to enjoy their celebration at someone’s house and plug into the TV to play couch games or settle in for a card or board game. While this flavor might not be best for families with small children due to the caffeine, it’s great for families with teenagers and young adults who are practically reaching for a cup of coffee to keep the energy going.
This is a nice selection if:
- You enjoy the bold richness of espresso as a sweet treat.
- You have a bunch of teens and young adults in the mix.
- You are hosting a party that has a lot of fun activities and requires more energy.
Fudge & Cashews on Banana
This one is a really fun flavor. This dessert is a good ice cream alternative to make your kids eat their fruits. Unlike other fruit ice creams that only have flavorings, this one is made out of real bananas because you can really taste actual bananas. This is really a cool flavor if you are hosting kids’ parties, which will surely wow kids and parents alike.
What’s really great about this is that it seems like a healthier version of Rocky Road ice cream, as a lot is going on with this ice cream. With each bite, it offers a taste of delicious fudge brownies and cashews.
This flavor is a conversation starter, will catch your attention, and will make your guests say, “Wait..this is really good”. This flavour will definitely appeal to adventurous eaters and even pique the interest of your guests. As banana is a familiar flavor, it’s not that hard to get acquainted with the flavor and might even be the next new ice cream you bring to your holiday feast or even to your next party.
This is a nice selection if:
- You are looking for a healthier treat for you and your kids.
- You want to impress people or bring something unique.
- Your people are open-minded and adventurous with food.
- You like Rocky Road ice cream and/or banana.
- Perfect for kids or kids’/pajama-themed parties
Mango Float
This flavor is definitely a crowd favorite. Mango float has always been and will always be the star on holiday feasts during Christmas and New Year for Filipinos. Why not jazz up your traditional Mango Float by adding a Mango Float ice cream?
If your people don’t have an adventurous palate, then this ice cream flavor is perfect. It is comforting, safe, and universally loved.
It’s also a fruity ice cream with the right mix of creamy goodness, mango bits, and a chuckful of graham crackers. It’s a simple flavor but very hard to contend with because everyone loves it. It’s a no-brainer Christmas star flavor.
It’s perfect if you don’t have the energy to make a mango float or graham crackers are short on the market. It’s a convenient alternative to the actual mango float.
This is a nice selection if:
- Your family forgot to make or was unable to make mango float for the occasion.
- You just really love mango float for Christmas.
- You want a safe flavor that everyone could enjoy.
Brown Butter Pecan
Brown Butter Pecan flavor is an ice cream that is the embodiment of simplicity and elegance. It is definitely a star ice cream despite its simplicity because it can substitute a cake because it literally is eating a cake in frozen form.
This flavor is a perfect choice for someone you dearly love, making it especially fitting for birthdays and meaningful celebrations. It’s the kind of ice cream served at gatherings where conversations linger and moments matter. Comforting and timeless, it carries the same quiet charm as classic vanilla, elevated with depth and warmth.
It has a nutty aroma of brown butter and provides a nostalgic aroma like the smell of fresh bread in the morning. It’s subtle, but you can’t help but realise you’re already requesting your third heaping of scoops. This is a timeless and perfect selection and will be loved by everyone. It’s uncomplicated yet easy to love.
This is a nice selection if:
- You want an uncomplicated flavor that can be enjoyed by everyone.
- You like cakes and do not count calories.
- Your family or friends are more on the traditional side.
- Perfect for milestone celebrations and intimate family dinners
While I haven’t tried all the other flavors, these five ice creams would be a great start to add to your holiday festivities. Bringing a thoughtfully chosen ice cream to the table isn’t just about having another dessert, it’s a way of weaving your own personality into a cherished holiday tradition.
Even the smallest addition can make the season feel vibrant and renewed. This holiday season, let ice cream be more than just dessert. Let it be part of the storytelling, shared between conversations, laughter, and quiet moments at home. Sometimes, a new tradition begins with nothing more than a scoop.
Eats Me, Jax! 