The Magnum

In late 1990's Turkey, they were sold by a company called Algida.  They were rich vanilla ice cream covered in dark chocolate, served on a stick.  There were many variations but the one that I always sought out as a treat was the double caramel kind.  Unbeknownst to me, at the same time Susan was in Haiti, eating a dark chocolate and almond Magnum, packaged with the exact same heart brand.  Sometime in the time that we met, fell in love, and got married, we had a conversation about the big splurge dessert that we really love.  We both came up with the same answer:  Magnum

From then on, whenever we traveled, we searched out the happy little heart logo that indicated we were about to be treated to a sweet treat.  We had them on our first trip together in the Czech Republik.  We had them in Morocco on our honeymoon and whenever we traveled abroad.  In Spain this summer, there was the Frigo brand and in Portugal there was Olá.  If we saw the red heart, one of us usually convinced the other that we deserved some ice cream.  If we were in the mood for ice cream and the store didn't have the proper logo, we would keep walking.  Something better awaited those who were patient.

Eva Longoria welcomed us to the bus terminal in Coimbra, Portugal with this poster:

As we relaxed during one of our last afternoons in Spain, I took this photo in the Parque Retiro in Madrid:

Now, we have ice cream in the United States.  We know this.  There are many brands to choose from.  Some of them are pretty good and taste great on a hot summer day.  But none are as decadent and indulgent as the Magnum.  We look forward to eating Magnums as a special little perk that's reserved for international travelers who know how to spot the very best.  Susan and I both love them and they are yummy and no one in the United States could ever get them unless they traveled abroad and tasted the Magnum deliciousness...

Until now.  They're available in the United States!!!