KOCHI: Fresh fruit-based ice-creams are turning out to be cold gold this season, as their refreshing taste is making them an absolute delight among Kochiites. And what more, they are the healthier option compared to flavoured varieties. Interestingly, the list of fruit flavoured ice-creams is no more restricted to mango and strawberry but has brought in unexpected lip smackers like tender coconut, jackfruit, sitaphal, black grapes, lichee, guava; you name it and you’ll have it.“Times have changed. Even people with a sweet tooth prefer healthy dessert options and are not keen on gaining too many calories. This made us introduce real-fruit based ice-creams. In addition, we use coconut cream and whipped cream to make it even lighter on calories. Fruit ice-creams at Casino Hotel are hundred per cent vegetarian,” says Jose Mathew, Junior Sous Chef, Casino Hotel.Sadly, Casino Hotel is yet to add these ice-creams to their dessert menu. As of now, it is served only on demand at an event buffet. However, that does not mean that these are off reach for Kochiites. “With summers approaching, more people are asking for ice-creams. Also, they are no more content with the regular flavours like butterscotch, chocolate and vanilla but demand something new. What is better than giving them healthy low calorie choices with real fruit pulp as ice-creams?,” says Ramu Butler, Executive Chef, Ramada Resorts. At Rs 250 for three scoops of pleasure, Ramada has been seeing a lot of satisfied smiles from the guests at Fennel restaurant in Ramada Resorts. However, if that sounds a little too expensive and slightly off the city bounds for regular visits, then here are some newly-launched chains that have made fruit ice-creams pocket-friendly and easily accessible.It has been only a month since Thanco Fresh Fruitsz Ice-Cream on Kaloor - Kathrikadavu Road started to cater to Kochiities. Thanco is a Bangalore-based chain of fresh fruit ice-creams and gets its supply from there on a daily basis. “This is the 68th Thanco parlour in the country and with 40-plus flavours to offer, is second largest too. We already have patrons who visit us on a regular basis. Here, we not only offer a variety of additional flavours like kiwi and blackcurrent but also have a range of non-fruit homemade ice-creams like Belgium dark chocolate, thandai, gulkand and even Horlicks flavour. Our exclusive is ‘Green Mirchi’ flavour, which is hot as a chilli but at the same time as cool as an ice-cream should be,” says Rahim, manager, Thanco Fresh Fruitsz Ice-Cream. Adding to the temptation is the fact that most of the flavours cost just ` 35 per scoop and the upper-limit for exotic ice-creams with dry-fruits is ` 45. They also offer freshly baked waffle cones. “We also offer special sugar free ice-creams, in which we maintain the natural sweetness of the fruit pulp and avoid added sugar. These ice-creams are less sweet than the variety with sugar, but the original flavour is kept intact,” says Thanzeer, main staff at Thanco.Natural - Ice-cream of Juhu Scheme on MG Road, opposite Shenoy’s theatre, is another hot spot for Kochiites. With selective flavours, Mumbai-based Natural offers a ‘dessert after dinner’ experience at its small parlour. While waffle cones are baked in-house, these ice-creams come from Mumbai. “Apart from delicious ice-creams, we also offer season’s special where we give freshly cut fruits with our special malai ice-cream. Now, it is fresh strawberry with ice-cream and summers will have juicy mangoes pieces soaking in malai or in any ice-cream of your choice,” says Vivek, staff at Natural ice-creams. Charged on the same lines as Thanco, Natural’s season’s special fruit pieces and a single scoop ice-cream can be relished at ` 75 per serving. They also have free home delivery service within the radius of three kilometers for a minimum order of a kilogram of ice-cream.If you are in a mood to drink the fruit then these parlours also provide you an alternative to regular fresh juices; ice-cream shakes, which are neither as light as juces nor as heavy as a milk-based shakes. The scoops of your favourite flavours, find direct way into the blender and without any additional ingredient, come out in glasses to delight your tatsebuds. “Gradually, the popularity of ice-cream shakes is picking up. Mostly, first-timers are a little sceptical about the shakes, wondering if they’d be any different from the regular shakes. However, those who once try the shake, certainly keep coming back for more,” says Bhaskar Kamath, owner, Natural ice-creams. The shakes, priced at ` 75 each, are like thick, chilled fruit pulp with smooth sweet cream. What makes fruit ice-creams so special is the fact that the flavours are strictly seasonal and the ingredient list does not include synthetic adds-on. This also reflects in the fresh taste of the ice-creams. Therefore, all the flavours displayed on the menu may not be available throughout the year. Just like fruits, you got to pick the ripe seasonal specialties for the best experience. In addition, you can carry the experience home as easy take aways. Interestingly, all these ice-cream experts unanimously agree on alphonso mango, sitaphal, tender coconut and guava being Kochi’s favourite. Isn’t it time you pick your favourite too?
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