Tropical Dreams Ice Cream is considered a superpremium ice cream.  It is made with cream containing 18% butterfat and is “low overrun” (the amount of air mixed in during the freezing process) thus creating a rich, dense product.  Hilo Homemade Ice Cream is classed as a premium ice cream and is made with 16% butterfat with a little higher overrun. We also produce true Italian style Gelatos and Sorbettos.  These are much lower in butter fat, under 10%, and have rich, intense flavors.

All our cream comes from Big Island dairies.  We use as much local fruit as possible such as white pineapple, poha berry, ohelo berry, dragon fruit, mango, passion fruit, guava, apple banana and others.  We are working with Hawaii Tropical Fruit Grower’s Association in an effort to develop new flavors and expand the use of local fruit.

We are located in the Lalamilo Farm lots in Waimea on The Big Island.  The property is five acres with fifteen large greenhouses currently producing tomatoes and cucumbers operated by Sunrise Farms.  We plan to use the property to grow fruit as well for use in our ice cream and sorbet production.

We have been cited in a number of publications for the high quality of our products. Hawaii The Big Island Revealed, a popular guidebook series says, "Also consider stopping by Tropical Dreams. They have outstanding ice cream. We unselfishly review it every time we are here."

Tropical Dreams is featured in Emily Luchetti's dessert cookbook that was published recently. Emily is the Executive Pastry Chef at Farallon in San Francisco. Emily is the recent recipient of The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Pastry Chef in 2004. She has written four other cookbooks prior to this new one. We are very proud to be included in her new publication.

Tropical Dreams was recently featured in the April 2007 issue of West Hawaii Today. Read it here!

Charitable Events

We were honored this year by the Chefs De Cuisine, American Culinary Federation Kona Chapter for our 16 years of participation in their fund raising efforts on the Big Island which includes Christmas @ Kona Village and ‘Q’uisine of Hearts. Money raised at these events is used to support educational programs for young chefs and nutrition programs for young children. Other fundraising events we participate in include Dolphin Days, Evening in Paradise which supports the Hawaii Island United Way, Kona Coffee Festival, and Kohala Country Fair. Our booth at the fair supports the Kohala Hospital Auxiliary.

Seal of Quality

The Hawaii State Department of Agriculture has given us the right to use the State’s Seal of Quality.  Only companies that manufacture or grow products using local ingredients have been given this endorsement.  We are the only ice cream company in the State that has the Seal of Quality.

Organizations

We participate in a number of organizations in Hawaii that are promoting agricultural products.

• ACF Chef’s de Cuisine Kona Kohala Chapter—Nancy is Treasurer of this organization and received the Chapter Member of the Year in 2006.
  
• Tropical Fruit Growers Association
  
• The Hawaii Tea Society
  
• Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation
  
• Hawaii Cooperative of Organic Farmers—John is a board member

References
We have over 80 customers in the State of Hawaii.  The following represents the different segments of our market.

Tropical Dreams Ice Cream
Merriman’s Restaurant and Hula Grills—Peter Merriman—808.662.0859
Fairmont Orchid—Linda Rodriques, Pastry Chef—808.885.2000 Ext. 7710
Kohala Coffee Mill, Hawi—Karen Rosen—808.889.5577
Kuki’o Beach and Golf Club—Chef David Paul—808.325.4125
Kimo Bean Coffee Company-Philip Miyoshi-808.848.5191
Discovery Antiques Kealakekua—Peter Underwood—808.323.2239

Hilo Homemade Ice Cream
Kohala Rainbow Café, Kapa’au—Diana Soler—808.889.0099
Hilo Tropical Gardens—Patricia Owens—808.217.9650