Busy Bee Frozen Custard — Restaurant in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

I was excited to try this custard because I like to support local businesses, especially ones made with integrity and quality, like Burque Bakery, Los Poblanos, and Farm and Table. BusyBee Custard seems just that. But it isn't.

Yesterday I ordered a BusyBee chocolate shake with a burger next door at Lavender Cocinita. It came topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. How did it taste? Well, a lot like a fast food shake: very sweet, really thick, and it didn't totally melt.

I read the ingredients section on the Busy Bee site and found that their custards contained plenty of artificial additives like monodiglycerides and various gums, that are used in highly processed ice creams, like Wendy's Frosty or Freddy's custard. The highly processed substances are called emulsifiers, which are just additives that make their ice cream seem more thick and creamy, but not because there is more butter or cream fat. They are used because they are cheap and they bring down the cost of production versus using real food.

But emulsifiers are horrible for gut health. They are in most highly processed foods these days and I avoid them totally. They can destroy the gut lining, which deprives the beneficial gut bacteria of a place to live while allowing bad bacteria to take hold. Heard of leaky gut? Emulsifiers are a main cause. In short, emulsifiers damage your gut biome, which contributes to obesity and metabolic disorders. Emulsifiers and additives make ice cream from a guilty pleasure to an unhealthy one.

BusyBee says that they have the "Worlds' Best Ice Cream", but it turns out that it's not much different from artificial and unhealthy fast food custard or ice cream.

It was 2 stars for the custard, but knocked to 1 star for the lipstick on a...

The texture of the ice cream was smooth and velvety, which I really enjoyed. However, I was expecting more than just a basic custard made with liquid flavoring and food dye for coloring—especially at $8 for two very small scoops, which were gone in just a few bites. To put it in perspective, my standard cookie dough scoop at home gives larger portions. I think the overall experience would be greatly improved by adding mix-ins that match the flavor profile and provide some texture. For example, butter toffee would be much more enjoyable with real toffee pieces; a strawberry flavor could benefit from real chunks of fruit; and green mint chip would be more satisfying with more than just two Nestlé chocolate chips per scoop. The base is lovely, but a bit more creativity and substance could really take it to the next level and...

For those visiting Albuquerque, I highly recommend stopping by Busy Bee, a true gem in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque that will uplift your senses with its mouthwatering treats and warm hospitality. The staff will greet you with kindness and bright smiles, making you feel right at home. The atmosphere is elevated by the nostalgic 90s country music, which will transport you back to a simpler time. With a diverse range of flavors and treats, you'll be wanting to try them all. I was particularly inspired by the lavender peach flavor, which was sublime. My husband's banana split was a standout, unlike anything we'd ever had and my kiddos dirt n' worms was out of this world in flavor and was a cool treat with oreos, gummy worms and cream! So, if you're in the area, be sure to visit! I know we will make sure to stop by...