Shakespeare once bemoaned, “sometimes too hot, the eye of heaven shines”, because he never found shade in the sweet cooly-niceness that is ice-cream.
We are in the thick of August days and where I live, the sun beats down hard. Near 40 degrees celsius for weeks on end is fast becoming the norm. Yet, no matter where one lives in the world, nothing says summer like watermelons, mangoes and dripalicous ice ice ice-cream baby.
In South Asia, kulfi, a creamy, sweet, ice-cream is made in small bundles of joy, thanks to the artisanry of street vendors.
Made by slow-cooking fresh milk with traditional ingredients such as saffron, rosewater and pistachio, kulfi is a dense, creamy, slow-melting dessert, and tastes like home to many of our South Asian brothers and sisters living in the diaspora.
To this end, and as a first-generation American, Heritage Kulfi CEO Mansoor Ahmed says that he is on a mission to bring his own spin on this authentic experience to American audiences with the launch of Heritage Kulfi, a premium ice-cream that promises explosive South Asian flavours.
Saffron, Rosewater, Pistachio, Cardamom Chai, Alphonso Mango, Coconut, Earl Grey, Vanilla Bean, Malai Sweet Cream, Almond Blossom. O Joy!
“For so many South Asians, kulfi is part of treasured memories of home but it’s not something so easy to find here in the US. I wanted to connect with my heritage and also reach those flavour-obsessed consumers who love exploring international cultures through food. I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to create and absolutely love seeing all the smiles when people try Heritage Kulfi for the first time,” says Ahmed.
Growing up in New York, Ahmed says that he truly had the best of both worlds.
“I had the rich tradition of South Asian cuisine, imparted by my parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Pakistan, and American favourites including ice cream. I became passionate about combining the two and honouring the ingredients of my family’s culture in a fresh, new way,” says Ahmed.
Instead of relying on flavour extracts, Ahmed makes every Aunty proud by using traditional recipes and cooking methods — carefully steeping whole Assam black tea leaves and sourcing the highest-quality, premium saffron threads handpicked from crocus flowers.
“Each individual ingredient is a hero that shines in all its glory. Rosewater is reminiscent of my childhood favourite, falooda. It’s now all grown up with a fragrant, sophisticated, delicate rose flavour and gorgeous pink colour. The King of Mangos, the Alphonso mango, tastes of the joyful peak summer season when these fresh liquid gold mangos are fleeting,” says Ahmed.
According to Ahmed, every aspect of the production process is also given a similar attention to detail and says that Heritage Kulfi’s packaging is certified as sustainably sourced by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
“We partner with regional farms to ensure the best flavour, the freshness of milk and cream and reduce the shipping footprint. All Heritage Kulfi’s ice creams are egg-free, halal, kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO and sweetened only with organic cane sugar,” says Ahmed.
If you’re one of our blessed brothers and sisters who live in New York City or the New Jersey area, visit here to find your nearest store.
Stay cool, and here’s to the best of summer days inshallah!
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