The Homemade Vanilla is the most popular flavor of Blue Bell. (Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX)
Blue Bell Creameries has been a Texas staple for more than a century. But how did a small-town ice cream maker become a nationally known brand?
Nestled in the tiny town of Brenham, where the population is less than 20,000 residents, lies the headquarters of Blue Bell Creameries—the half-a billion-dollar ice cream brand that produces nearly 60 million gallons of ice cream annually. The brand is easily recognizable sitting in grocery store freezers—donning a logo of a girl leading a cow across the carton. But behind the iconic tubs of deliciousness is a story that starts with an excess of cream.
Starting small
The company started in 1907 as an extension of the Brenham Creamery Company, which was originally founded to purchase excess cream from local dairy farmers and sell butter to the townspeople. By 1911, they were producing small quantities of ice cream. While experiencing financial trouble, 23 year old former schoolteacher E.F. Kruse was hired to take over the company in 1919. Despite not having any previous experience in the ice cream business, under Kruse’s direction (where he refused a salary for the first few months), the company soon became profitable and was renamed to Blue Bell Creameries in 1930.
Courtesy Blue Bell Creameries
What’s in a name
Known as a rare wildflower, the Texas Bluebell is a purple, bell-shaped flower. It was Kruse’s favorite, synonymous with hot Texas summers—exactly the way he began to brand Blue Bell.
Courtesy Blue Bell Creameries
Better in Texas
While Blue Bell is, indeed, bigger in Texas, they’ve decided that their brand should be more personal in Texas, too. To this end, only Blue Bell employees are allowed to deliver the products to retailers; this way, employees get to engage with consumers and the community. It’s even the most searched ice cream brand in 22 states.
“We believe that our recipe has been perfected over all these years, allowing our consumers to create the best memories with each carton,” a company representative said. “We source the finest and freshest ingredients possible and take great pride in the vendor relationships we have developed over the years.”
That emphasis on community includes a strong philanthropic spirit, with the company donating to various regional organizations and events, such as first responders, educators, blood drives, Boys & Girls Clubs, and more.
Experience it for yourself
Blue Bell currently carries 20 year-round flavors, and releases a few dozen seasonal flavors each year.
Sierra Rozen/COURIER HTX
The most popular flavor? The Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
“The flavor itself was first released in 1969, after taking two years to perfect the recipe,” a company representative said. “There is a slightly baked flavor to the vanilla, invoking memories of cooking in the kitchen with your family.”
Want to see their ice cream-making process for yourself? The Blue Bell Observation Deck is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in Brenham where folks can watch as the ice cream is packaged in the factory.
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