UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — There’s arguably no better way to start the morning than with a fresh cup of coffee. Luckily, the Penn State Berkey Creamery has various options, including three new flavors, “Waffle Shop,” “Blueberry Scone” and “Black Jack,” plus a fresh, updated look to its packaging.
Jim Brown, creamery sales and marketing manager, explained that the “Waffle Shop” flavor is made from delicate coffee beans featuring notes of mild peach and citrus with a gentle finish.
“Blueberry Scone" has the juicy and tart flavor of plump blueberries plus a hint of toasted sugar. “Black Jack” is a classic espresso blend that pairs coffee with semisweet chocolate notes and a bright twist of citrus.
“Blueberry Scone” and “Black Jack” are available for self-serve and in K-Cups, while “Waffle Shop” is available in K-Cups only for the time being, according to Brown.
Brown noted that the change in the package design of its coffees started the process of working with the creamery’s coffee supplier to expand and improve its coffee selections.
“We looked at the coffees that we had, and we wanted to increase the depth of flavor a bit,” he said. “Our coffees have a smooth, strong-bodied flavor, and that’s what I believe makes it so unique to the University. When you look at other coffees, not all are as delicately balanced with a wonderful depth of flavors. Penn State Creamery coffee has six different roasting levels.”
Each coffee flavor the creamery offers varies in its roast level but is a milder blend. “Waffle Shop,” “Blueberry Scone” and “Black Jack” join the creamery’s current coffee blends, which include “Americana,” “Donut Shop,” “Hazelnut,” “Vanilla Bean,” “Mexican Chiapas,” “Happy Valley” and “Decaf.” Flavor descriptions can be found online at the creamery’s website.
Brown also mentioned that the creamery adjusts the flavors it offers at the self-serve station to reach different customers. “It’s always nice to switch them up, so we have something new, something to advertise and something to appeal to a different flavor crowd of coffee lovers,” he said.
While ice cream and other dairy products are the creamery’s top sellers, its coffee is not far behind. Brown said that the creamery has transitioned over the years from being known as an ice cream shop to a meeting place where people have an assortment of food items to enjoy.
“We do everything we can to complement all the foods on campus and to provide our customers with offerings beyond ice cream,” Brown said.
The creamery is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Penn State Berkey Creamery, the largest university creamery in the United States, produces ice cream, cheese, milk, yogurt and sour cream, as well as a variety of other products, such as juices, lemonade and iced teas.
Cows from Penn State’s dairy herd provide milk for the creamery’s fresh dairy products, averaging about four days from cow to creamery treat. For more information, visit the Berkey Creamery website.