Welcome ice-creamers! It’s time to leave behind those boring, age-old flavours like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry (even salted caramel won’t cut it here) and sample some much quirkier and crazier flavours from around the world:
1. Japan: Octopus Ice Cream
There’s no better way to do ice cream in Japan than at Ice Cream City! This crazy ice cream town offers a range of insane flavours, including Squid Ink, Miso, Sea Urchin, Soy Sauce, Oxtongue and Jellyfish – but we reckon that the Octopus flavoured option really takes the cake. Tentacles, anyone?
2. Italy: Gorgonzola With Vinegar Ice Cream
You wouldn’t think cheese and vinegar mix well together with ice cream, but when in Rome…!! At Il Gelato di Claudio Torcè, all artisan ice cream creations are a must-taste and they’re apparently much more scrumptious than they sound. Other quirky flavours here include Celery, Carrot, Sesame and Chestnut and even Mortadella.
3. USA: Foie Gras Ice Cream
Just in case you need to keep up with the Jones’s, you can grab a cup of this unique Foie Gras Ice Cream in San Francisco, at Humphry Slocombe’s. This place is known for its quirky and unusual ice cream flavours, like Old Hebrew Ale, Szechuan Strawberry, Beetroot, Prosciutto and Jalapeno.
4. Ireland: Irish Brown Bread Ice Cream
Trust those Irish to come up with some cool ice cream flavours! At the infamous Murphy’s (with shops located in Dingle, Killarney and Dublin), Irish Brown Bread is a deliciously refreshing must-try. You might also want to indulge in Toasted Irish Oats, Buttermilk and Dingle Lemon Curd. These guys have also made ice cream for the MasterChef TV series in Ireland.
5. South Africa: Sweet Potato & Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream
One doesn’t ordinarily think of ice cream when imagining travels to South Africa (beaches and lions is more like it!), but The Creamery in Cape Town is known for a variety of unique ice cream flavours, including sweet potato and toasted marshmallow, fennel pollen and peach and coconut rice pudding.
6. UK: Fish n’ Chip Ice Cream
The ice cream version of one of England’s favourite meals is definitely a 10 out of 10 on the quirk-o-meter. This cod-flavoured ‘fish’ and potato flavoured ‘chip’ even comes with salt, vinegar and lemon! Served in familiar packaging and impressively true-to-life, this icy version of a seaside classic deserves a place on your bucket list.
7. Turkey: Dondurma Ice Cream
Dondurma is like the special snowflake of the ice cream world. Don’t expect the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency you’re used to, though – this stuff is so thick, chewy and elastic you 05/need a knife and fork to eat it! Made with a type of flour and plant resin, this popular treat is also resistant to melting and is a classic Turkish dessert.
8. Australia: Lemon, Lime & Bitters
Your turn as designated driver on a night out just got more interesting. This tried and true non-alcoholic staple is now available in sorbet format at Simmo’s Ice Cream in WA. Made with the winning combination of Angostura bitters, lemon and lime, this delicious treat stays true the original.
9. Venezuela: Spaghetti & Cheese Ice Cream
This truly quirky flavour can be found at renowned Venezuelan ice cream parlour Heladería Coromoto. Situated in Merida, it holds the Guinness World Record for the most ice cream flavours ever – 900 plus! (Though they’re not all available on the same day.) Made with real cheese and spaghetti bits, it is a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.
10. Scotland: Haggis Ice Cream
Haggis isn’t very appealing at the best of times, but as an ice cream?!?! Yikes!
This traditional Scottish dish is made by mincing a sheep’s heart, liver and lungs together with seasoning, oatmeal and onion. The mixture is then stuffed into the sheep’s stomach and slowly simmered for hours. This ice cream flavour is the creation of ice cream maker Gino Soldan and is available at Harrods.