Miracle on ice

Shiv Gupta,owner of a Gola stall on Fergusson College road,says,“I have been running my stall here since the past five years and instead of sticking to the regular flavours I have been experimenting with them ever since then. This summer too I am expecting a brisk business. Golas are pries between Rs 10 to Rs 40,depending on the flavour and ingredients used. And it is a treat that is enjoyed by everyone. No age barriers included.”

Even the brightest could be as cool as ice literally. New flavours might not be an outrage considering that most people identify golas with the traditional citric flavours. However certain short-lived experimental flavours also include the Karela (bitter-gourd) flavour and the tomato flavour. While the traditional kala-khatta continues to rule the roost,new flavours like the chocolate flavour Gola and the cocktail Gola are fast catching up with the experimental youth. Pranjalee Ghatge an avid lover of the icy delight says,“I really enjoy the khus flavoured Gola,which is really cooling. However at times when I am in a mood to experiment,the Cocktail flavoured Gola,which comprises of flavours like,orange,mango,khus,kala-khatta and strawberry which can be mixed and matched accordingly.

Gupta also boasts of a loyal customer clientele,who make sure to come to his stall every week. He feels that a wide range of flavours at his stall make them a favourite amongst the crowd and also makes him different. “Earlier we had the tomato flavoured Gola,which was as unique as it was experimental. However,we had to remove it this year due to the fall in its demand. For this year I feel,apart from kala-khatta,the chocolate and cocktail flavoured Golas will attract people. In the bygone few weeks I have sold a good number of chocolate golas as they continue to have a ripe appeal for all.”

Gupta’s friend Arvind Tiwari,who also works at a stall on FC Road,says,“We have customers who are like 60-years-old coming to us for Golas. It’s funny to see how it is always children and old aged people who find this treat highly inviting. Also as a part of our own innovativeness,to sell the Gola during the winters,we sell the Dish Gola that is made up of flavoured ice and lot of dry fruits. However,in summers,people usually in go for the normal flavoured Gola.”

Neeraj Vikas,a regular at Tiwari’s stall says,“No ice-cream or cold milk shake can match up to the popularity and the fun that one derives from eating a Gola. Even though I am in the third year of my engineering,my friends and I come regularly to have golas here. I have tried out all the flavours here and I like the Cocktail flavour the most.”

Vijay Gupta,another Gola seller who owns a stall at JM Road believes that lemon will be the flavour of the season after kala-khatta. “Lemon is getting extremely popular,though kala-khatta still remains a hit. People however are not ready to experiment with different flavours and therefore I have introduced safe new flavours like the sweet-lime Gola and the chocolate Gola on my menu.”

Probably Aayushi Mandloi,another Gola fanatic,sums up the love for it in a simple way,“It takes me back to my childhood days. Just a stick laden with flavoured ice is enough to transport me back to those days when it was ok to run behind the ice candy seller shouting ourselves hoarse,and finding those little joys associated with it.”

Ice Ice baby
Kala Khatta
Chocolate
Orange
Pineapple
Rose
Lemon
Khus
Cocktail