With warmer weather comes a craving for a cool, sweet treat and we wanted to feature one of our favorites today. Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co., a local business operating out of the Delta, is undeniably delicious and there is such an amazing story behind the company's creation. Keep reading for more and make sure to pick up a pint for yourself soon!
Hugh Balthrop has turned a sweet dream into a reality with his small business Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co. Originally from Washington D. C, Hugh is now proud to call Clarksdale home. Hugh became infatuated with the Mississippi Delta after relocating to Clarksdale, his wife’s hometown. “The fondest memories my wife has are from her time spent growing up in Mississippi,” smiles Hugh. “I love that we get to raise our family here!” Hot, summer nights spent making homemade ice cream for his family ultimately lead Hugh to the realization that he was far from satisfied with the ice cream products already available on the market. Sweet Magnolia Gelato Co. was born from this realization and fueled by Hugh’s entrepreneurship spirit. Aiming to create a product that others would feel great about serving to their own family, Hugh built the Sweet Magnolia Gelato brand on the principle of quality over quantity.
Further inspired by the gelato he and his wife had tasted while traveling across the country, Hugh set out to incorporate only the finest, freshest, local ingredients into his product. “Every ingredient in our gelato is sourced locally. That, and the fact we make our gelato in small batches and pack it by hand is what sets Sweet Magnolia Gelato apart,” says Hugh. Sweet Magnolia Gelato comes in a variety of flavors; some like Brown Sugar and Bourbon are inspired by classic southern flavor combinations. Other flavors, such as Stracciatella and Fior de Latte, are nods to the rich tradition that surrounds the art of making italian gelato. No matter the flavor, Sweet Magnolia Gelato delivers a freshness and vibrancy due in large part to Hugh’s commitment to using the best ingredients available.