Salt & Straw, the Portland, Ore.-based artisanal ice cream concept known for its funky flavors, is launching a new product specially crafted to satisfy canine cravings.
Salt & Straw Pup Cups are made with human-grade ingredients and produced with the same technique as the brand’s small-batch ice creams. But the flavor is geared to a dog’s palate, with its combination of smooth coconut ice cream, bits of crisp apple and carrot and swirls of sweet potato ribbons.
For the brand’s founders Kim and Tyler Malek, the creation of their first dog ice cream is close to their hearts, as pets are an important part of the Salt & Straw community, according to a statement from the company.
Pup Cups’ launch is timed to coincide with National Dog Day on Aug. 26. On that Friday next week, Salt & Straw is holding Yappy Hour inside its shops, when pooches can get a complimentary Pup Cup from 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Dog owners who can’t make it into one of the chain’s 21 scoop shops can order Pup Cups online; a 12-pack is available for $65 with free shipping nationwide. After National Dog Day, individual cups are selling for $3.75 for pickup or delivery.
Salt & Straw’s locations are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest and California, with the concept more recently expanding to the Miami area.
Although vegetable-laced Pup Cups are designed for dogs, their owners don’t have to miss out on produce-inspired flavors. The chain's Veggies You Crave Series includes five veg-centric flavors: Green Fennel & Maple, Spinach Cake with Chocolate Tahini Fudge, Charred Corn Curd, Cotija & Tajin, Carrot Cake Batter with Praline Hazelnuts and Red Chili Curry & Makrut Lime Crispy Rice.
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