From Vimto to Olive Oil: The Middle East’s Most Inventive Ice Creams
Getting through the hot scorching summer months requires a lot of willpower and any way of staying cool. One of our favorite ways is by indulging in icy cold ice cream, fresh from the shop.
Beyond the usual flavors of strawberry and Oreo, there are actually some out-of-the-box flavors out there as well. Let us take a look at the most whimsical flavors to try out across the region.
Vimto Ice Cream
Every Ramadan, you will probably find this plum-colored drink taking over our Iftar table. Vimto is a sweet and fruity drink made with berries and blackcurrants. It is served as a syrup or soft drink, and it turns out you can also enjoy it as ice cream.
The Japanese dessert shop Yuki No Hana, with branches across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, knows how to make this whimsical creation. In addition to their plum-colored Vimto ice cream, they have other cool flavors, like their Cerelac ice cream and Strawberry Barbie Ice Cream.
Laban Up Ice Cream
Bringing in a flavor that holds a special place among residents of Gulf countries is Dubai’s BBQ Station, who specialize in making Laban Up ice cream. Just as with Vimto, Laban Up is a beloved drink, especially during Ramadan. It is a yogurt drink that is particularly enjoyed after eating spicy food.
Now, Dubai’s BBQ Station has recreated this dairy product in the form of a popsicle, a creative way of celebrating a beloved staple among Gulf residents. They also make Vimto and Creme Caramel popsicles.
Olive Oil Ice Cream Sandwich
Ever since Dua Lipa said that her favorite ice cream is vanilla with a splash of olive oil and salt, the concept became an instant trend. But even before that, some eateries already served up the unique creation. Beirut’s RKK Pastry Shop, which specializes in cakes, ice cream, and coffee, is one of those spots.
They serve up an ice cream sandwich where olive oil lemon ice cream sits between two polenta rosemary cookies. It is a crowd favorite among many, and for good reason.
Hello Panda Ice Cream
There are many snacks we love to indulge in, especially when we were kids in school. One of those has to be the Hello Panda biscuits with those cute illustrations. Turns out you can enjoy that snack in the form of a creamy ice cream.
At Qatar’s Sharq Cafe, you can enjoy the flavor of those biscuits topped with more Hello Panda biscuits for that extra crunch.
Green Hamba Ice cream With Spicy Sauce
Spicy food lovers rejoice as Abu Dhabi’s Just Fresh somehow managed to make some heated ice cream. Meet their Green Hamba Ice Cream, which is basically green mango soft-serve ice cream drizzled with spicy sauce.
The ice cream spot is all about fresh fruit flavors, so if you are not into upping the spice factor, you can try out their other fruit flavors, which include mango, watermelon, and blueberry.
Seeing how all these ice cream flavors are truly out-of-the-box yet possible to consume, which is your unusual dream flavor and why?
