Berkeley’s cheddar cheese ice cream has everyone talking

A new ice cream flavor in Berkeley is turning heads

It is cheddar cheese! 

It’s a creamy mix of sweet and savory that’s winning over curious locals. At Melt Me Creamery, scoops are served with crunchy walnut pralines for extra texture. It may sound unusual, but customers say it’s surprisingly tasty. Could this be the next big thing in desserts?

Adventurous eaters lining up

You can try cheddar cheese ice cream at Melt Me Creamery, a new shop at 1918 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Berkeley. This small creamery has already become a local favorite for its creative flavors. 

The cheddar version includes walnut pralines for extra crunch and a nutty twist. Word is spreading fast, and curious customers keep showing up for a scoop.

The creators

Melt Me Creamery is run by Suphaluk Moontha and Nutchapol Phaungjit, two Thai-born food lovers who worked in restaurants before opening their own shop. They experimented with countless recipes, drawing inspiration from both Thai desserts and American classics. 

Their goal was to create ice cream flavors that feel familiar yet totally surprising. Cheddar cheese ice cream is just one of their daring creations.

Flavor inspiration

The cheddar cheese flavor came from a memory. Owner Suphaluk Moontha once tasted cheese ice cream in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and never forgot it. 

Instead of the neon orange seen in American processed cheese, her version is soft yellow, with a smooth and creamy cheddar taste. 

It’s less overpowering and more about balance—savory enough to intrigue, sweet enough to keep you coming back.

Flavor profile

This ice cream has layers of flavor. The cheddar brings a sharp, savory note that blends perfectly with the rich sweetness of the ice cream base. 

Walnut pralines add crunch and caramelized depth. The result is creamy, nutty, slightly salty, and just sweet enough. Every bite makes you want to figure out exactly why it works so well.

Other inventive flavors

Cheddar isn’t the only bold idea at Melt Me Creamery. They also serve Mango Sticky Rice, Matcha Strawberry, Ube Malted Crunch, and Campfire S’mores. 

Some flavors nod to Thai and Asian desserts, while others reinvent American classics. The menu changes often, giving locals plenty of reasons to come back and try something new.

Community reception

Berkeley locals were curious (and maybe a little skeptical) about cheddar ice cream. But after tasting it, many became fans. Customers call it “unexpectedly delicious” and “less weird than it sounds.” 

For some, it’s now their go-to flavor. The shop’s willingness to take risks is part of its charm, and regulars say it’s a perfect fit for Berkeley’s adventurous food scene.

The savory-sweet trend

Cheddar cheese ice cream isn’t just a Berkeley thing, it’s part of a bigger trend. More dessert shops are mixing savory flavors with sweet bases. Think bacon in donuts or chili in chocolate. 

Cheese in ice cream adds an extra layer of surprise. It’s for people who like to try something new, even if it sounds a little strange at first.

Cultural influences

Melt Me’s menu is a mix of East and West. The owners blend Thai-inspired flavors like Mango Sticky Rice with American-style treats like s’mores. 

This cheddar cheese ice cream reflects that fusion, combining an American cheese with an Asian dessert memory. The shop celebrates how different food cultures can come together to create something totally new and exciting.

How cheese works in ice cream

Cheese might not seem like a dessert ingredient, but it actually works beautifully in ice cream. The creaminess blends right in, while the tangy, salty notes enhance the sweetness. 

The trick is balance, too much cheese can overwhelm, but just the right amount creates a deeper, richer flavor. Cheddar offers both a familiar taste and an unexpected twist.

Technical ice cream making tips

Making cheddar ice cream isn’t simple. Hard cheeses like cheddar need to be finely grated and blended carefully so they melt smoothly into the base. Otherwise, the texture can turn grainy. 

Some ice cream makers use stabilizers or special mixing techniques to keep it creamy. Melt Me’s secret? Patience, precision, and plenty of taste-testing to get it just right.

Texture and mix-ins

Texture matters in ice cream, and Melt Me nails it. The walnut pralines in the cheddar flavor give a sweet crunch that contrasts the smooth, creamy base. 

This mix of textures keeps every bite interesting. It’s a reminder that the best ice creams aren’t just about flavor, they’re also about how they feel in your mouth.

Popularity beyond Berkeley

Cheese ice cream isn’t new, it’s been popping up in gourmet shops across the country. Salt & Straw in Portland has featured flavors like Cheddar Apple Pie, proving the idea has national appeal. 

In Asia and South America, cheese in desserts is even more common. Berkeley’s version fits right in with this growing global trend.

The experience of trying it

Trying cheddar cheese ice cream is an experience. The first bite is creamy and sweet, then a subtle cheddar tang rolls in. The walnut pralines bring extra flavor and crunch. 

You might expect it to be strange, but it’s balanced and surprisingly addictive. Many say they come for curiosity, and return because it’s genuinely delicious.

How to enjoy it

Cheddar cheese ice cream can be enjoyed all on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with other desserts. Stop settling for vanilla, these wild ice cream flavors will blow your mind.

Try it with fresh fruit like apple slices, drizzle it with honey, or serve it alongside a warm slice of pie. It can even work as a palate cleanser between rich courses at a dinner party.

What’s next?

Melt Me Creamery isn’t stopping with cheddar. The owners plan to keep pushing flavor boundaries, exploring more savory-sweet combinations and unexpected ingredients. 

New flavors are always in development, so locals can expect more delicious surprises. Also check out how to enjoy national ice cream month without guilt.

Learn More About Food:

• 15 bite-sized desserts you can’t resist
• 16 spring desserts that taste expensive
• 15 viral 2025 desserts that broke the internet

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.