Texans say summer without Blue Bell is basically summer without any ice cream at all
A month ago, Blue Bell Creameries issued a voluntary recall on all its products after a Listeria outbreak - and freezer shelves are still void of the brand.
The "situation" is being felt hardest in the company's home state of Texas.
You see, for many Texans, Blue Bell isn't just a brand of ice cream, it's the only brand of ice cream.
While it's only sold in about 30% of grocery stores throughout the country, Blue Bell has built a loyal fan base. Based in Brenham, Texas, the company ranks among the top three best-selling ice cream brands in the country.
Mix loyalty with popularity, and you get a Twitter explosion over the recall.
Despite the risk, Texans are hoarding the potentially contaminated ice cream.
Someone is even selling an empty Blue Bell container for $100 on eBay.
With Blue Bell gone for at least a couple more months, summer in Texas just won't be the same.
Texas is my birth state, and indulging in Blue Bell is always a highlight of my trips down south. I flew down last week for a mini family reunion, and it wasn't the same without a few scoops of my favorite coffee ice cream.
In the words of my cousin who was born and raised in Texas, "I took ice cream for granted - I've tried so many other brands of ice cream recently and I hate them all. Blue Bell was actually perfect."
We miss you Blue Bell.