Solving the Mystery of the Missing Vienetta
Several years ago, I had a frozen ice cream dessert that I simply can’t forget. It was a lovely layering of super-thin chocolate and soft vanilla ice cream, luscious and decadent. Surprisingly, I didn’t encounter this memorable dessert at a fancy restaurant; it was readily available at my local grocery store.
Then all of a sudden and without warning, it vanished. My local grocery store no longer carried it, and neither I nor my husband could find it at any other store. We tried. Man, we tried. The problem was, or so I thought, I simply couldn’t remember the name of the dessert. It exceedingly difficult to explain what I was looking for to anyone else. After a year or so I gave up. But every so often, and for the next several years, I would check the frozen section hoping to spot something that looked like what I remembered.
Then I happened to mention it in conversation with my folks around the dinner table on New Year’s Eve. My mom instantly knew what I was talking about. She’d loved that dessert too and had also noticed that it had disappeared. She thought carefully and said, “It was a Vienna-something”. That was enough for my husband to do a Google search and discover the name that had eluded us for years:
Breyers Vienetta.
Heaven on earth.
Once I’d had my memory jogged, it was a cinch to find more information online. I remember this commercial for Vienetta:
Apparently Vienetta is still available in Europe by Unilever , and quite popular. But for some reason still unknown to me, it was discontinued in the United States, despite the fact that I it seems I was not the only person who still dreams of this dessert. At least I am not alone in wishing this was still available in the U.S. I would not be surprised if it was all due to some kind of legal problem regarding a U.S. patent or some such.
At least the production video is still available on YouTube. It makes me wonder how difficult it would be to create something like this at home.
Ah, Vienetta. How I miss thee.
Tags: food
January 17th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I just found Vienetta in a grocery store today. I was shocked to find it as I haven’t seen it since the late 80’s. The grocery store was located on the IL/WI border. It’s not made by Breyers and the didn’t have all the flavor choices – just chocolate and vanilla but I thought it tasted okay.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:58 am
OH my goodness! Me too. I’ve been tryign to describe this for about 5 years because I’ve had the craving since then. I wish I could find it like priscilla. I’d have a vienetta party or something – yes, it’s worth celebrating.
I’m happy there’s someone else out there who has lost this very desirable love and is in search of it.
Please bring back Vienetta/Viennetta people, please for the love of greatness.
p.s. Enjoyed the article.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I also used to love this ice cream. My sister-in-law and I would get it all the time, mostly on lasagna night b/c it kinda seemed to fit right in. But then it disappeared. Imagine my surprise when I was at my local Bi-Lo a few weeks ago and there it was, in all it’s glory. I am waiting till I know my sister-in-law will be able to come over before I get any, but I did snap a pic w/ my cell and sent it to her. She was so excited. Woohoo.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
when i was younger i use to live in california with my family
me and my sisters would FIGHT over it.
i hadn’t had it for years..like 6 years.
but i remeber it al right.
the rich flavors, the pretty designs… i want it next time i go to kroger..
:D thank goodness it’s in US again!!!! :DDDDD
May 5th, 2009 at 1:03 am
I have Bi-Lo here!!! I’m looking for this tomorrow morning as I can’t go to the store tonight! Every1 cross their fingers for me!!! Will report back if I find it!
May 5th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Yup we have it in Chattanooga, TN!! YEAH!!! It’s just Vienetta brand now still has the Unilever logo on bottom tho. I’m so happy!!!
May 7th, 2009 at 12:45 am
I am SO jealous! We keep looking in our local grocery store for it. I think maybe I’ll just ask the manager about it.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
OMG! this i crazy your story is about the exactly the same is mine. i just happened to crave it today so i called my dad and tried to describe it to him and sure enough he remembered and told me the name of it. so i imediatly googled it and the first thing i saw was your article. My world was lightened up when i heard i wasnt the only one wondering where it was. And now that i no i may still be able to find it WHOOO!!! i dont have a bi lo here though. All i have is Kroger, harris teeter, and food lion in Durham, NC. But i am going to search even harder starting tommorow.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
July 21st, 2009 at 6:12 pm
For all those on the east and in the north of the US I’m happy to say I’ve found Vienetta at Quality Markets in Dunkirk NY. Quality is part of BiLo with seems to have Vienetta in the south. I’m going to look to see if Vienetta is at Quality Markets in Union City in PA. But for all those yes Vienetta is in the worth east!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:23 am
i am so jealous of you guys who found it…i’ve been looking for it for WEEKS and i’m trying to order it online places and trying to get my job (publix) to order it again but they can’t find a place to order it. i live in florida so if any one of you have any idea where to exactly get it, PLEASE PLEASE let me know.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:00 am
I live in Michigan and every Christmas I try looking for this treat. Have been unable to find for years. I remember my mom having this for the holidays. If anyone knows where I can find this in Michigan PLEASE let me know. Thanks