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Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chefs say what makes the best ice cream and what to look out for
When it comes to choosing ice cream, we all have our favourites - but according to top chefs, there is one thing that makes a good tub of vanilla ice cream Supermarket freezers are a treasure trove of icy delights, with a plethora of choices to satisfy any sweet tooth, and among them, vanilla ice cream reigns supreme as a household essential. Whether it's the star of the show or playing a supporting role to a slice of cake or a handful of berries, this classic flavour is a must-have. But when it comes to picking the best ice creams, culinary connoisseurs point to one defining feature of a top-notch tub. Chefs from all over Britain have weighed in on what makes the perfect scoop of both vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and their verdict was unanimous. Chef Sohan Bhandari from luxury celebrity hotspot Colonel Saab said: "A great tub of ice cream starts with balance-richness without being heavy, sweetness that doesn't overpower, and a texture that's smooth. "I look for depth of flavour, whether it's a classic like vanilla or something more creative." The mark of excellence? Real deal ingredients. The chef said: "If I can taste real ingredients, like proper Madagascan vanilla or freshly roasted nuts's when I know it's a quality product." Madagascan vanilla, also dubbed Bourbon vanilla, is the crème de la crème of vanillas, cherished for its full-bodied, creamy essence that sets the bar high, reports the Express. Chef Sohan's go-to is Green & Black's Organic Vanilla, praising its authentic custard base and specks of genuine vanilla bean that set it apart. Who would have thought that such a small detail could make all the difference? Well, it seems chefs do. All six of them concurred that genuine vanilla seed pods are an absolute must when it comes to traditional ice cream. Dean Harper, the culinary maestro behind Harper Fine Dining, swears by Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean, praising its "a balance between sweetness and flavour without anything artificial overpowering the taste". He added: "It's simple with real vanilla seeds and a deep, natural flavour that feels indulgent without being cloying." Here are some chef-endorsed vanilla ice cream brands:. Mark Hartstone, the head honcho at La Fosse at Cranborne, is a fan of Purbeck Vanilla bean, describing it as "consistently smooth, rich, and made not far from home". Jack Pearce, Head Chef at Tom Browns restaurant in Gunthorpe, Nottingham, gives his nod to Thaymar's Clotted Cream and Vanilla, calling it a perfect twist on a British classic. Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean, made with real vanilla seeds, gets the thumbs up from Dean of Harper Fine Dining. Sohan Bhandari can't get enough of Green & Black's Organic Vanilla. When it comes to chocolate ice cream, Jude's Truly Chocolate scooped two votes for being "smooth, rich, and not too sweet." Both Jack Pearce of Tom Browns and Dean Harper agreed that "it has to be Häagen-Dazs", with the Belgian Chocolate tub hailed as "rich, indulgent, and unbeatable". Dean has a soft spot for Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream too, which tantalises the taste buds with its high-end cocoa that offers a delightful balance of bitter and sweet. Sohan echoes this sentiment, noting that the best chocolate ice creams share a common trait: they boast "cocoa richness without it turning cloying". Yet, it's not just about the top-notch flavours; the integrity of the ingredients is crucial as well. Tom Cenci, Executive Chef at Maslow's, emphasises the importance of authenticity in our frozen treats: "When choosing ice cream, the non-negotiable factor is real, natural ingredients. The ingredients list should be straightforward and recognisable, without excessive preservatives."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
The coastal coffee shop with a lush sea view and the best brownies
There's nothing quite like a brew with a view, and at the outdoor Tide cafe at Halen Môn, you'll be treated to fabulous views of the Menai Strait while nursing a coffee. Anglesey's Halen Môn is best known for its award-winning sea salt, hand-harvested from the pristine waters of the Irish Sea. Those glistening flavour flakes elevate everything from Michelin-starred scallops to your mate's overly ambitious sourdough. READ MORE: Train that costs £365 and gives you a seven-course meal is coming to Wales READ MORE: This market town has mountain biking, bookshops and some of the best food in Wales Their salt is so pure and perfect that it frankly makes mere table salt look like it should be banned under the Geneva Convention. Alison and David Lea-Wilson, the husband-and-wife team behind the successful brand, put it down to their secret weapon: the pristine waters of the Menai Strait, as the area provides perfect conditions for sea salt harvesting. The result is some of the world's finest flake sea salt, enjoyed worldwide by chefs, food lovers, and even Barack Obama. It's been served at the London 2012 Olympics, political summits and royal weddings and is a vital ingredient in Green & Black's chocolate and Piper's Crisps. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here. Learn more about their salty offerings on a factory tour at their award-winning Saltcote and Visitor Centre. Led by a trained guide, the informative tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and finishes with a tutored salt tasting. After your tour, bag a seat at their lovely outdoor coffee shop. Here, you'll be treated to an incredible panoramic view of Eryri and the Menai Strait and cakes infused with their sea salt. It's worth noting that you don't have to go on the tour to chill with a cuppa and a cake. They also have a 'pabell' – a sturdy canopy with sides that can keep you out of the sun or rain, handy when the Welsh weather is acting up. The Pabell provides an additional facility for the recently expanded Wild Seaweed Bath barrels, a further investment by Halen Môn designed to attract more visitors and tourists during the year's colder months. Read my review of the wild seaweed baths here. Settle in and order a Coaltown coffee with a lush sea salt brownie or a toasted sesame and sea salt flapjack, an ice-cold Jin Môr and a packet of Anglesey Sea Salt crisps. Go on, spoil yourself. It's a lovely spot to chill out and enjoy gorgeous views while enjoying a tasty, sweet treat. For more information on the tours and the cafe, go to the Halen Môn website.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The coastal coffee shop with a lush sea view and the best brownies
The coastal coffee shop with a lush sea view and the best brownies There's nothing quite like a brew with a view Bag a seat at their lovely outdoor coffee shop (Image: Portia Jones ) There's nothing quite like a brew with a view, and at the outdoor Tide cafe at Halen Môn, you'll be treated to fabulous views of the Menai Strait while nursing a coffee. Anglesey's Halen Môn is best known for its award-winning sea salt, hand-harvested from the pristine waters of the Irish Sea. Those glistening flavour flakes elevate everything from Michelin-starred scallops to your mate's overly ambitious sourdough. Their salt is so pure and perfect that it frankly makes mere table salt look like it should be banned under the Geneva Convention. Alison and David Lea-Wilson, the husband-and-wife team behind the successful brand, put it down to their secret weapon: the pristine waters of the Menai Strait, as the area provides perfect conditions for sea salt harvesting. Halen Môn Anglesey Sea Salt has worldwide fans (Image: Arwyn Roberts ) Article continues below The result is some of the world's finest flake sea salt, enjoyed worldwide by chefs, food lovers, and even Barack Obama. It's been served at the London 2012 Olympics, political summits and royal weddings and is a vital ingredient in Green & Black's chocolate and Piper's Crisps. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Anglesey's Halen Môn is best known for its award-winning sea salt, hand-harvested from the pristine waters of the Irish Sea. (Image: KIRAN RIDLEY 2011 ) Learn more about their salty offerings on a factory tour at their award-winning Saltcote and Visitor Centre. Led by a trained guide, the informative tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and finishes with a tutored salt tasting. After your tour, bag a seat at their lovely outdoor coffee shop. Here, you'll be treated to an incredible panoramic view of Eryri and the Menai Strait and cakes infused with their sea salt. It's worth noting that you don't have to go on the tour to chill with a cuppa and a cake. They also have a 'pabell' – a sturdy canopy with sides that can keep you out of the sun or rain, handy when the Welsh weather is acting up. Settle in and order a Coaltown coffee with a lush sea salt brownie (Image: Portia Jones ) The Pabell provides an additional facility for the recently expanded Wild Seaweed Bath barrels, a further investment by Halen Môn designed to attract more visitors and tourists during the year's colder months. Read my review of the wild seaweed baths here. Article continues below Settle in and order a Coaltown coffee with a lush sea salt brownie or a toasted sesame and sea salt flapjack, an ice-cold Jin Môr and a packet of Anglesey Sea Salt crisps. Go on, spoil yourself. It's a lovely spot to chill out and enjoy gorgeous views while enjoying a tasty, sweet treat. For more information on the tours and the cafe, go to the Halen Môn website.
