Inside The Original Hagen’s Orange Freeze in Carmichael, on one recent August morning, owner Temme Hagen had a lot on his mind.
He was in that morning making batches of the restaurant’s well-known fruit freezes. At the same time, the upcoming soft opening of a second Hagen’s loomed. Not only that, but two of his daughters-in-law were due to give birth at any moment. That, he said, would bring his count of grandchildren up to nine.
Nevertheless, Hagen kept his cool. He’s been in the frozen treat business for nearly half his life, working alongside his wife, Toy. They met while working at Merlino’s Freeze, a now-defunct local chain that made the same smooth, sweet-and-sour orange freeze that Hagen’s sells today.
What is a fruit freeze?
A fruit freeze isn’t ice cream, nor is it sorbet or a snow cone. It’s scoopable, often fruit-based, and it has a slightly softer texture than ice cream. You can find fruit freezes at Gunther’s, or at Sutter Health Park, where they’ve been sold since 2008 under the Merlino’s name.
But while Merlino’s always limited their flavors to a small handful, Hagen’s sells a whole rainbow of fruit and dairy options. Though orange is still the bestseller, the Hagens have whipped up seasonal flavors such as a seasonal pumpkin spice, as well as concoctions suggested by customers…