A SHORT STORY ON THE LONG HISTORY OF ANDERSON ERICKSON EGG NOG

AE DAIRY

Ask any Iowan who has moved away what they miss most, and you will likely get a list of favorites from AE Dairy includingchocolate milk, cottage cheese and party dips. Once the leaves start to change and the holiday movie lineup is announced, the listnarrows to AE Egg Nog.

No one at AE can say for certain when AE Egg Nog was first made. “What we do know is that AE Egg Nog has a very loyal fan club,” says Kim Peter, director of marketing and public relations. The dairy regularly receives emails and social media comments from customers who say, “The holidays are just not the same without AE Egg Nog!” There are requests to make AE Egg Nog year-round and in the half-gallon size rather than a quart.

As with other much-loved AE products, the recipe for AE Egg Nog is kept secret and has not changed. Each batch is made with milk and cream that is hours fresh from Iowa family farms, fully pasteurized eggs, premium vanilla and real nutmeg. John Just, director of quality assurance, says, “What sets AE Egg Nog apart is all the fresh cream we use.” The flavor is often described as tasting like a melted French vanilla milkshake – unbelievably smooth and creamy.

As with other much-loved AE products, the recipe for AE Egg Nog is kept secret and has not changed. Each batch is made with milk and cream that is hours fresh from Iowa family farms, fully pasteurized eggs, premium vanilla and real nutmeg. John Just, director of quality assurance, says, “What sets AE Egg Nog apart is all the fresh cream we use.” The flavor is often described as tasting like a melted French vanilla milkshake – unbelievably smooth and creamy.

“Dreaming up new flavors and ways to enjoy the goodness of AE is a hallmark of the dairy. We take our inspiration from coffeehouses, fancy desserts, and even bath and body products, as well as customer requests,” says CEO Miriam Erickson Brown. Milk Nog – a 50/50 blend of classic egg nog and fat-free milk – packaged in the light-yellow half-gallon carton is an example of creating a holiday drink to meet such requests. Harvest Pumpkin Egg Nog was added in 2019, and this year, AE introduced classic egg nog with a touch of cold brew coffee. “We know a lot of people use egg nog as a creamer, and cold brew coffee is so popular, so we decided to bring them together,” says Erickson Brown.

For those who did not grow up with AE Egg Nog and wonder about other uses, the AE website – aedairy.com/recipes/egg-nog –has recipes and tips, including the fan favorite Egg Nog Upside Down French Toast

AE Egg Nogs can be found at area grocers at least until Christmas. If you want to extend the enjoyment, AE Egg Nog can befrozen in the original carton for up to one year. It can be thawed in the refrigerator for a day, and after a good shake, it is ready tobe enjoyed within a few days of opening.