‘V’ for Vanilla

“Children often want to eat something colourful,whereas adults go for something exotic or new,” says Yasser Ali,a partner with Amore Gelato that has outlets in Mumbai,Goa and Hyderabad. “People don’t want anything that is plain white because they perceive it as boring.”

Indeed,when single scoops of ice-cream cost anywhere between Rs 65 and Rs 130,one isn’t about to splurge on a flavour they can very well purchase for Rs 15 at their local grocer. While many have now dismissed vanilla as passe,the flavour is still fighting hard,and winning too,to stay ahead of the game.

“We have 82 products including family pack sundaes and lollies that are currently circulating in the market. But more than 50 per cent of our supply is still that of vanilla ice-cream,” says Bipin Sheth,General Manager-Technical at Mumbai-based Pastonji Ice Cream. “The product is a best-seller at all the 1,600 outlets we retail out of in Mumbai.” This isn’t true for just Pastonji,but other national brands such as Vadilal,Kwality Walls and Amul as well.

Richa Sinha,head of beverages at Cafe Coffee Day,India,isn’t surprised. The brand,with branches all over the country,uses vanilla ice-cream as an ingredient and an add-on in six of its milkshakes and as a side to several desserts on the menu. “Vanilla is the first choice when people ask for an add-on to their cold coffee,” says Sinha. “It has a neutral flavour so it doesn’t overpower the aroma of the coffee and also complements various smoothies.”

This simple flavour of ice-cream is also a preferred ingredient in multi-layered desserts. Mumbai-based desserterie Theobroma makes most of products in-house but uses vanilla to enhance some of its chocolate-based desserts. “We offer it as an option along with our brownies,” says the co-owner and chef,Kainaz Messmen. It may have lost its appeal in the original form as people’s palates are getting accustomed to newer variety,but the flavour finds a supporter in a few international brands of ice-creams.

Both Haagen Dazs and Movenpick take pride in their “authentic vanilla ice-cream with real vanilla” and often suggest it to their customers. But until Indians rediscover the humble flavour,this non-intrusive yet enhancing vanilla will continue to adapt and survive.

SCOOP

TALK looks at some of the most popular vanilla scoops in Mumbai

Movenpick

This Swiss brand takes great pride in its vanilla ice-cream. The off-white colour and the tiny vanilla bean granules make it look anything but plain. The rich cream,flavoured lightly with fragrant vanilla makes you want to savour every bite before digging in again.

Palladium Mall; Rs 135 per scoop

Haagen Dazs

This American brand positions its vanilla as elegant and exotic. Haagen Dazs’ variety is a luscious beige and comes with a delightful scent of bean,but has no visible granules. The texture is rich and creamy. The flavour lingers on long after you’ve licked the last bit.

Oberoi Mall,Goregaon and Godrej Nature’s Basket; Rs 165 per mini-scoop

Baskin & Robbins

The fact that the brand chooses to call it “plain” says it all. It doesn’t have a hint of the actual flavour. What you do taste is a good amount of cream and milk,quite reminiscent of Natural’s malai ice-cream,but it is not as delicious. It falls short in quality as the ice-cream is too hard and cold.

Multiple outlets; Rs 45 per scoop

Pastonji Vanilla Ice-Cream

The tried-and-tested vanilla ice-cream by Pastonji is still as white and creamy as it was when summers meant coke floats and a range of toppings. Despite the versatility,there’s something missing in this humble cup — the taste of real vanilla,or even the synthetic vanilla essence.

Multiple stores; Rs 5 for 50ml cup