During a trip throughout Mexico and South America, Jarod Dunn found himself frequently cooling down with flavored fruit ice pops.
When he returned to the U.S., Dunn attempted to make his own by using fresh juice, ice trays, toothpicks and his home freezer.
The operation quickly morphed into Revolution Artisan Pops, which launched in 2016. Dunn and his wife, Rebecca, have been crafting ice pop flavors ever since. They can be found at various local stores, farmers markets, area events and the couple's Revolution Market, 130 W. Olive St.
Revolution Artisan Pops has fruity flavors like raspberry hibiscus, lemon ginger, sour raspberry and watermelon lime; and creamy flavors like dark chocolate, coconut cream, strawberries and cream, and orange dreamsicle.
The operation often partners with local businesses, like Harbinger Coffee and Nuance Chocolate, for collaboration products.
"We are always tinkering with something new," Dunn said.
Revolution Artisan Pops starts with whole fruits, cutting them down and extracting the juice. No fillers, dyes, thickeners or artificial ingredients are ever used.
The juice and any other ingredients are pureed and poured into molds. The pops are then flash frozen at subzero temperatures, creating a uniform product with no unwanted ice crystals — unlike Dunn's original home freezer experiments.
The ice pops are individually packaged and then ready to cool down Fort Collins. Sales peak every August when the average Choice City high temperature is 84 degrees.