International ice cream can be surprising in some countries!
13 International Ice Cream
“I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” That’s the saying many of us grew up chanting over our favorite sweet, frozen dessert. Ice cream is a beloved favorite treat all around the world.
However, you might have a difficult time recognizing it at times. Not all ice creams look the same.
Here are some of the best, and most interesting ice creams from around the world to discover on your adventures.
Japan
Mochi Ice Cream
They start with ping-pong ball sized hunks of sticky rice which is then pounded into a paste. This is then formed around an ice cream center, providing sweetness and texture.
Mochi is available in a number of flavors. Some of the more popular ones are “Coffee”, “Plum Wine”, “Red Bean” and “Green Tea.”
Italy
Gelato
This frozen favorite is made using more milk than actual cream. This makes it denser with a richer taste than traditional ice cream, while also making it lower in fat.
You never want to refer to Gelato as “ice cream” in the presence of an Italian. That’s almost as bad as insulting their family!
France
Foie Gras Ice Cream
Yes, THAT “foie gras”! Over-fattened duck liver may not seem to have a place in the world of frozen treat, but the French would beg to differ. It’s all part of gourmet dining.
Iran
Faloodeh
It can get miserably hot in Iran, but they have discovered a frozen creation that can beat back that heat while still tasting exquisite. The combination of vermicelli-style noodles, frozen with cornstarch is the base.
To that they add rose water and lime juice to create an amazing citrus/floral taste that delights the senses.
Turkey
Dondurma
Ice cream in Turkey uses some of the ingredients we are familiar with, like milk and sugar. But after that, they work magic to create an ice cream that is resistant to melting AND is actually pliable! The addition of a flour made from early purple orchids, and a plant resin make this possible.
Street vendors love to show off the tricks they can perform with this ice cream as it stretches and bends. Think of it as dinner and a show.
Philippines
Halo Halo
This cool treat isn’t found just in the Philippines but it’s well loved! Made with shaved ice, condensed milk, and a variety of other sweet and savory ingredients. Some of these can include cheese, nuts, tapioca, sweet potatoes, or sweetened kidney beans just to name a few!
Germany
Spaghettieis
Yes, it sounds like Italian food, but No, it isn’t. This clever frozen concoction is made by running vanilla ice cream through a pasta machine, drawing it into stands.
Then a strawberry topping is added to simulate tomato sauce. Big since the 1960s, this treat is still a favorite.
Alaska
Akutaq
I know, I know: “Why would Alaskans need a frozen treat?” Well, it turns out that everybody gets cravings from time to time and Alaskans are no different.
This mixture originally included animal fats and even chunks of seal and caribou meat. These days those have been replaced with seasonal berries and the results are amazing.
India
Kulfi
The texture of this frozen delight is closer to custard than ice cream. This is because it is made with condensed milk. Favorite flavorings include cardamom and saffron. Kulfi has become so popular that it is even found in some American supermarkets.
United States
Frozen Yogurt
The American love affair with ice cream continues unabated, but this frozen treat is taking a bigger piece of the market every year. This is most likely because that, while it has the delicious flavor of ice cream, it is a lot easier on the waistline.
Israel
Halva Ice Cream
This delicious mixture is almost like a candy. It contains a sugar and honey paste, into which are crushed sesame seeds. This combination can be found in a number of Israeli dishes, but when incorporated into ice cream it is a very popular cool-down treat on a hot afternoon.
Spain
Semifrio
This is actually a combination of ice cream, mousse, and custard. Fruits or nuts can be added and it is whipped into a tasty froth, then frozen. Even though it is surprisingly rich, it is also amazingly light, making for a perfect dessert.
Thailand
I Tim Pad
This is another combination treat and entertainment, created on the streets of major cities. It starts with a liquid ice cream base which is then poured onto a metal disk which is kept well below freezing. You can add extra ingredients like nuts, fruits or crushed cookies.
Pretty quickly you have a very thin ice cream pancake and then the show begins. The vendor makes a great display out of scraping the ice cream into rolled up cylinders and depositing then vertically into a container. From here a variety of toppings can be added.
No matter how they make it, there is no doubt that the whole world screams for ice cream. These tantalizing ice creams from around the world should be on your must-try list when you plan your next travel adventure!
