I have to admit I used to hate on Cold Stone Creamery bc I'm a bit of a germ-a-phobe and I just couldn't understand why someone would allow their ice cream to be poked, prodded, smashed, tossed, and mixed on a sticky iced slab that's wiped down with the same disinfected rag. I'd always get mint ice cream and made sure I told the creamery artist in a paranoid tone, "Just in the cup. Don't mix it!"
It wasn't until I had a strange craving for CHEESECAKE ICE CREAM & PEANUT BUTTER CUPS on a chocolate waffle cone that I allowed a creamery artist to beg me to let them mix it up. As I gave in I watched as my "virgin" ice cream was manhandled, stroked, and eventually raped by that wet metal spatula that sits idly in that soppy water cup. After much cringing and regret she handed me my "love it" size cone with an accomplished smile. I took one taste with my plastic spoon and it was pure delight! Mmmm! Not only was is heaven, but I survived! Maybe a little bit of germs wasn't so bad! Ever since that day I allow them to do as they wish with my ice cream and I never think twice about it!