The following was originally posted on the Ice Cream Journal in July 2007. It was in ingenious invention three years ago and it’s an ingenious invention today, so we’re giving it another look!
You can get soda and coffee from a vending machine, chips and candy from a vending machine, even egg salad sandwiches and soup from a vending machine. So it was only a matter of time until someone invented a vending machine that dispenses custom made ice cream.
That’s exactly what the folks at MooBella have done. We first heard about their creation when they won a Food Network Award in the category of “Icy Innovations” (a category Turkey Hill hopes to win next year for its work with Duetto).
As far as we can tell, the machine exists only in a few markets in the Boston area, but it’s designed for use just about anywhere—malls, cafeterias, museums, universities, living rooms. It uses a touch-screen (below) and a flash freezing method to create 12 flavors of premium or low-carb ice cream with your choice of several mix-ins.
In movies about the future, this would be one of the crazy inventions the main character uses before strapping on his jet pack and zooming off to work. Except this thing is actually real!
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
I need one of those machines at my house, of course it would always be empty , but what fun. where can i get one?
We’ll take one at work!
Wow what a great idea and not just plain icecream but you can get mixins. Nice selection of flavors and when are they coming to the South Jersey area I hope SOON!!!!!!!!!!!
How about one in the food courts that are in the Malls, or supermarkets with cafe style tables and chairs like the soda/icecream shops have. This could be very sellable. A sure winner!
Super idea! I wonder how much they charge for each scoop? And do they take debit? LOL
I don’t think that I would be about to stop at the second scoop!
I love your ice cream!
turkey hill…when will we see your ice cream machines around…lol
Wow, what a great idea! I would like to see some in the Albany-Schenectady area.
I don’t think the ice cream would be as smooth as out of a carton, although it is a good idea for places like Malls, etc. Get in on he bandwagon Turkey Hill.
Sounds intriguing and a lot of fun, but it would have to huge to keep up with the demand. Would you want to clean something like that?
Fantastic idea! (as long as I don’t have to clean it. Yea, there is a down side to most everything)
That’s so cool! They should add Mint Chocolate Chip to the machine.
An amazing invention! I didn’t think such a thing was possible.
How does our staff go about having one installed in the faculty room? They took out our pop machine, but this would take its place!
they had one of these in the Boston area – it was awesome!!
wow would like one of them down in good old de guess it would be a long wait
If it like the coffee machines I would pass. They use the same tube for everything and my hubby doesn’t like the tinge of tea in his coffee. If everything get cleaned between customers thats a different story since I would not want coffee in my raspberry
Can you imagine the line at the machine?
I could almost move to Boston, just to get ice cream out of a vending machine! BUT, there is no Turkey Hill there, so I’ll just stay in PA and eat my Turkey Hill ice cream out of the container!
That’s a great invention! Hope one comes to my area soon!
I know just where I’d put this machine in my house. MMMMMMM this is a great machine hope it comes to Winchester, Va. soon.
Sounds like a great idea. I’ve got the perfect spot in our house to put it!!! When can it be delivered???
COOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! Can’t wait!
Love to see one of these machines but I still prefer TH.
Very clever invention. I would love to have one of these in my house! But then, maybe not….I would probably look like a blimp before long!
I’d love to give it a try just for fun. The real question is, how much?
I just love the idea and it is so true, when coffee, sodas, snacks just don’t hit that spot where is ice cream machine when we need it the most!!!I would love to see one in my work place, the rec committee sells ice cream on Friday’s but what about the rest of the week, where do we go then for ice cream. So bring it on we’ll take two of them for now!!
Just a little scary these days about the method of cleaning these machines and keeping them from attracting vermin and bugs in the machines. I just be happy with my cartons of Turkey Hill
What an ingenious idea….cannot wait to see one of these machines in the Pittsburgh area….Has anyone seen or tried one of these machines lately!!!
Dispensing ice cream in a vending machine is a great idea. But I would think it has to past the taste test. It sounds like those custard machines at a Dairy Queen. How natural are those flavors? If I wanted ice cream that bad I would wait until I get home and enjoy the Turkey Hill that I keep in the freezer.
Wow! Turkey Hill please get a machine here so that we can enjoy your ice cream in the malls also. That would be great. Although, you will have to make sure that someone would be able to stock it as frequently as needed. I’ll take the job and even pay for my ice cream!
This is the perfect way to get dessert at the office! I would love to have one of these near me.
Delicious Idea! Love to see one of these around here but then again, I am thankful that we don’t….with Turkey Hill in my freezer I don’t need another ice cream venue looking that good…….I would have permanent brain freeze!
this idea is a good one but I still would prefer to just buy my favorite turkey hill and enjoy it out of the carton.
Where can i get one? I like the idea of ” but it’s designed for use just about anywhere—… living rooms.” You could give your kids their allowance in change and then make them pay for their treats/dessert. Then the money collected would be their allowance for the next week.
You are making me HUNGRY, HA. Love the Machine and the Color, got it going on…..
Now why didn’t I think of that?! LOL!
The amazing wave of the future!!!
WOW WHAT AN IDEA.
TURKEY HILL WHY DON’T YOU GET ONE OF YOUR COWS OUT THERE AS A DISPENSER WITH YOUR ICE CREAM. NOT ONLY WILL THE COW DRAW EVERYONE OVER TO SEE IT BUT WHAT A GREAT ICE CREAM THEY WOULD HAVE. JUST AN IDEA.
LOVE TURKEY HILL ICE CREAM.
Great idea!