Made in the Valley: Ooh-De-Lolli Ice Pops
FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- Triple digits may be synonymous with summertime in the valley, but one local business is making sure you stay ice cool.
Donna Mott makes Ooh-De-Lolli Ice Pops in her Southeast Fresno commercial kitchen. Each batch contains 88 popsicles. The army of one makes close to 5,000 in a summer.
She started the business with a little inspiration from a trip to Sonoma and a recipe book for homemade ice pops. Since then, she has managed to break the mold.
"It's never a pre-designed recipe -- ever at all -- because its based on the sweetness of the fruit already," said Donna Mott, Ooh De Lolli.
Flavors and combinations are inspired by what's in season. The idea is she makes what you can't find in the store.
Over the last 4 years Donna has toyed with 60 flavors and counting -- including the biggest challenge yet, black garlic that tastes like chocolate.
It all starts with picking local produce from growers like Masumoto Family Farm and Berry Lady Farms.
The entrepreneur says she prefers the imperfect fruit. "They're different sizes, maybe they've got a little bruising to them -- which to me just means they're uber sweet."
"There's nothing large scale bout what I do. I juice them and I add a little water to them to get them to a nice pourable place and then I'll flavor them," said Mott.
She adds sugar and in some cases different artisanal flavors like rosemary or cilantro. Depending on the sugar content, ice pops typically take 20 minutes to freeze.
When they are done freezing, Mott says, "I let them hit the air a little bit and it just gets nice and cold. I greet them like a new baby every time they come out of the mold."
As for the most common question she gets about her business, the name Ooh-De-Lolli was inspired by the Robin Hood song she sings to her granddaughter.
"It's still kinda catchy. I love it and I love saying it."
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