Teh Terik, Pulot Hitam, Tiger Beer – they may seem like items
you get from your local coffee shop, but these homegrown delights
are making their way into ice cream flavours, standing side-by-side
with Rocky Road, Macadamia Nut and the classic Vanilla.
Asian-inspired flavours are gaining prominence in the ice cream
scene, more so among the independently-owned ice cream
parlours.
Stanley Kwok, owner of Island Creamery, known for its offering
of local ice cream flavours, comments, “The variety of local
flavours has widened quite a lot in the past few years and
there is much more creativity in the ice cream which customers
find interesting. These days, local ice cream flavours are
also better made.”
“Singaporeans are very familiar with Asian flavours and take to
them easily,” comments David Yin, co-owner of ice cream joint
Udders.
“Local flavours are great and I have been eating them since my
childhood days. Whenever there was an ice cream man selling these
traditional flavours downstairs my block, my whole family will go
and buy them. This experience adds to my love of local ice cream
flavours,” says Tan Seow Peng, 21, whose favourite flavours include
yam and red bean.
If you remember those Potong popsicles (known for its corn, red
bean, durian, coconut and jackfruit flavours, among others), many
key players like Kings and Nestle have repackaged Potong ice-cream,
stamping it with their own branding. This is proof of the
confidence the market has with traditional ice-cream flavours and
of its staying power.
Although local and Asian-inspired flavours are gaining
popularity, however, it’s not likely they will overtake the classic
flavours any time soon, as there are still many Ice cream purists
around.
“I think some of these local flavours are too experimental for
my taste. I stick to classics like Rum and Rasin but I do enjoy
local fruit flavours like mango and durian,” says Charlotte Koh,
34, a self-confessed ice cream addict. She adds, “If I wanted a
taste of tiger beer, I would get it in a six pack, not on a
cone.”
Kwok adds, “In terms of sales, Asian-influenced flavours are
probably still hovering around 30 to 40% of overall. A lot of
people still like Westernised flavours such as Cookies & Cream
or just plain vanilla.”
Ice cream operators do notice that it’s the older tier that lean
towards local flavours. Yin says, “Our current Gila Melaka flavour
(gula melaka and attap chee) is a hit with our more mature
customers.” While Kwok comments, “The younger, under twelve group
usually prefers Western flavours. The over 40s crowd likes local
flavours. The teens and young adults are somewhere in
between.”
Tell us what you think. Are you for these Asian-inspired
flavours or you’ll stay faithful to the dynamic duo, Ben &
Jerry’s?
