ICE CREAM AND EVOO

During this summer, pouring EVOO over certain flavors of ice cream has gone viral…

Specifically, as we shared on our social networks on September 7, vanilla ice cream with EVOO and coarse salt has triumphed in content creation…

But what’s so special about applying EVOO to ice cream? What do we get with it?

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is used in ice cream for several reasons:

1. Texture improvement: EVOO provides a creamier and smoother texture to the ice cream. Being a healthy fat, it helps ice cream stay softer, even when frozen, preventing the formation of large ice crystals.

2. Flavor Enhancement: Olive oil has a distinctive flavor, which can add an interesting touch to ice cream, especially if it is high quality. Its fruity or slightly bitter flavor can complement or contrast with other ice cream flavors.

3. Balance between sweetness and acidity: EVOO can balance the sweetness of ice cream with its bitter or spicy touch, making the flavors more complex and less cloying.

4. Better absorption of aromas: Being a fat, EVOO helps the flavors and aromas to be perceived better, intensifying the additional ingredients in the ice cream, such as fruits, chocolate or nuts.

In short, EVOO not only improves the texture of ice cream, but also provides a depth of flavor and balance that makes it more interesting and refined.

What are the flavors that it combines best with?

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) combines very well with various ice cream flavors, especially those that balance their fruity, bitter or spicy profile. Some of the best ice cream flavors to combine with EVOO are:

1. Vanilla ice cream: The softness and sweetness of vanilla highlight the fruity and herbal notes of EVOO, creating a delicious contrast.

2. Chocolate Ice Cream: Dark chocolate, in particular, pairs well with EVOO, as the richness of the cocoa contrasts with the earthy, fruity flavor of the oil.

3. Citrus ice cream: Flavors such as lemon, orange or tangerine complement EVOO very well, since the citrus nuances reinforce the fruity and fresh notes of the oil.

4. Nut ice cream: Flavors such as pistachio, hazelnut or almonds pair well with EVOO, since both ingredients share slightly bitter and earthy notes.

5. Honey or salted caramel ice cream: The combination of EVOO with sweet and salty flavors, such as honey or caramel, is ideal because the oil balances the sweetness with its bitter touch and helps soften intense flavors.

6. Yogurt or cheese ice cream: Slightly acidic flavors such as Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese can benefit from the fruity and creamy touch of EVOO, creating an interesting contrast.

These combinations enhance the characteristics of EVOO, providing complexity and a gourmet touch to the ice cream.

We hope that you have found our article interesting and that you try some of the combinations that we propose.