Lakeland has revealed that the latest food trend to hit our homes this summer is set to be homemade ice cream. Sales of ice cream makers are soaring at the retailer and as a category up nearly 20% on last year, whilst social media is full of people sharing their frozen creations with some unusual new flavours proving popular, from avocado to chestnut.
For many home-cooks making their own ice cream has previously been seen as a step too far, but there has been a huge increase in ice cream makers landing on retailers’ shelves that are easy and quick to use. Lakeland now has a range of different options to choose from, including the new Lakeland Digital Ice Cream Maker, £49.99 which is proving successful with sales up 380% week on week.
Once known as being noisy and very time-consuming, the latest machines offer quiet settings and can have frozen delights ready in as little as 30 minutes. The retailer has also launched a range of ice cream accessories from easy to use ice cream mixes (Lakeland Salted Caramel Ice Cream Mix) to fun toppings and stylish serving dishes (4 Pearl Ridged Mini Glass Footed Bowls), perfect for those looking to bring some fun to their summer entertaining.
Kitty Travers, founder of La Grotta Ices in South London, recently launched her first recipe book featuring 75 different flavour creations for ice cream and sorbet La Grotta Ices (tumblr.com). Whilst Gelupo Gelupo Shop & Delivery, founded by famous chef Jacob Kennedy, claims to make the finest gelato this side of the Alps, and has an Instagram feed full of flavour inspiration – from Lemon Meringue Pie to Mimosa and Halva.
TOP 5 WIERDEST ICE CREAM FLAVOURS
- Octopus – with actual tentacles emerging from each scoop, this has to be one of the strangest flavours out there… would you brave this popular ice cream from Tokyo?
- Bourbon and cornflake – even outside of ice cream, an odd combination…
- Corn on the cob – a surprisingly popular flavour, likely due to its naturally sweet and refreshing taste.
- Horseradish – if you find yourself craving some ice cream with your roast beef, this is the flavour to go for!
- Haggis – even this classic Scottish dish has been churned into an ice cream.
Kathryn Farrell from Lakeland comments, “Nothing says summer like a scoop of delicious ice cream and it’s now easier than ever to have a go at making your own. Gone are the days of standard vanilla or chocolate, it seems we’re all looking to experiment with our flavour choices and it’s never been easier to have a go at making our own frozen delights for friends and family to enjoy at summer gatherings.”
Homemade ice cream is also a great option for those with allergies or on a health kick who want to avoid certain ingredients that can prove tricky with the shop-bought options available.
Recipes for standard flavours can be used as a springboard for more exotic flavours with extra ingredients and additions….tentacles? Maybe not
