Latest news with #icecream
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
I tasted 13 vanilla ice creams – this budget supermarket tub beats the posh offerings
I did a double take when I looked at my tasting notes for this article. In front of me were 13 bowls of vanilla ice cream – no labels or brands visible, just a lineup of anonymous products (marked A to M) for me to taste and judge. Now, it was time for me to wipe my sticky face and fingers, open my laptop and reveal the labels on the tubs. One ice cream had stood out as too sweet and too strongly flavoured with an oddly woody vanilla taste that reminded me of an over-oaked chardonnay. I gave it a middling star rating accordingly, but when I checked which brand it was, I was surprised to discover it was a Häagen-Dazs tub – the very ice cream which had come top in my last tasting of posh vanilla ice cream two years ago. How could this be? Was the sugar buzz from tasting 13 ice creams addling my brain, or had its recipe changed? Happily, I still have my spreadsheet of data from 2023 (in which I record the prices, volumes, sugar content and more for each product – just some of the number crunching I do for all of my taste tests). I checked this year's Häagen-Dazs label against my notes, and sure enough, the ingredients had changed. While the price of the 400g tub has risen less than five per cent (roughly in line with inflation, but below the higher rate of food inflation) savings have been made elsewhere, it seems. The sugar content has gone up from 18.8g to 19.9g per 100g – enough to tip it from 'on the sweet side' (as I judged it to be in 2023) to cloying. Perhaps it's there to make up for the new ingredient – water – now listed alongside cream and condensed skimmed milk, sugar and egg yolk. More significantly, the vanilla extract used in the 2023 ice cream has been replaced with 'natural vanilla flavouring'. By law this must be made from 95 per cent vanilla, with the additional 5 per cent coming from natural sources (although these may be so highly refined they are unrecognisable from the original). The purpose of these extras (according to Neroliane, a French company that creates flavourings for the food industry), is to 'convey fresher, spicy, biscuity, buttery or even milky notes to the original vanilla.' Or, in the case of my Häagen-Dazs spoonful, woody notes. It's not a successful addition, and it's hard not to conclude that it's been made to cover up a switch to a lower quality vanilla. Talking of money saving, a favourite method of some manufacturers is to whip as much air into their ice cream as possible, so they need less of the mixture to fill a tub. This is called 'overrun' in the trade, and in this area Häagen-Dazs (which was approached for a comment) actually comes out shining, with the lowest overrun I've come across. Those who add the most air usually have to add emulsifiers – generally mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids – to stop the mixture splitting. This puts the ice cream in the ultra-processed food (UPF) category, and also makes for an unpleasantly foamy consistency as it melts. In order to estimate how much of your tub is air, I've calculated the difference between the weight of the ice cream and the volume as a percentage (a high percentage signals more air in the mixture). This isn't a perfect equation but it's a decent approximation, and it allows you to understand where you're spending money on real ingredients – and where it's just all hot (or cold) air. Skip to: How we tasted All the ice cream was given time to soften slightly in the fridge. A scoop was taken from each tub and placed in a glass bowl identified with a letter A to M. I tasted all the ice creams 'blind'. In order to work out the weight of the product and its overrun (the amount of air added to the ice cream), I placed any that did not declare a weight on accurate professional digital scales, subtracting the weight of the tub (these products I have marked with an 'approx' figure). The taste test
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Sweet dreams: dessert parlours help to revive UK's high streets
Dessert cafes and ice-cream parlours are hoping to play a role in a revival of UK high streets and the night-time economy, as people seek an alternative to going to the pub or an expensive meal out. Their number has soared by almost 700 in the UK in the past decade, according to analysts at Green Street, formerly the Local Data Company, with outlets in places from Aberdeen to Plymouth. The market is thought to be worth more than £500m, including several national chains as well as much-loved independents from The Pudding Stop in St Albans to Cloud 9 in Brighton. 'It's a nice chit-chat place,' says Ria, 24, emerging from a lunchtime stop at a London outpost of one of the UK's biggest chains, Creams, with two friends. 'Especially if you are craving something sweet. It's a Friday treat at a decent price.' 'I've noticed it's becoming a bigger thing,' says Gemma Saunders, 46, who's just bought gelato with her daughter Elizabeth, 13. 'It's a nice alternative to going out drinking and more and more people aren't drinking. It's quite a family place.' 'I can meet my friends in places like this,' adds Elizabeth. 'It's less expensive than going out for pizza.' The last couple of years have been challenging, as the rising cost of dairy products plus higher energy and wage bills have combined with falling visitor numbers to high streets and shopping malls. However, Creams – which has 93 outlets, almost all of which are run by franchisees – is back on the expansion trail with plans for about 10 new outlets this year, and a similar number next year. The menu features the Hot 'n' Cold Chocolate Fudge Volcano, the Lemon Meringue Cheesecakundae, the Birthday Cake Loaded Shake and hot waffles topped with Oreo, Bueno and Speculoos. The company – which opened its first outlet in Southall in 2011, has its own Gelato factory in Dagenham and makes its waffle mix in Dunstable – is exploring new types of venues in cinemas and travel hubs, such as train stations. It is also testing two sites in Tesco supermarkets and is in talks to go international, with the Middle East or the US a likely first step. Rival company Kaspa's, which has about 100 outlets, has also been on the expansion trail, opening its first central London venue last year, while younger challenger Heavenly Desserts, which has 60 outlets in the UK after recent openings in London and Middlesbrough, is aiming for 100 by next year, with plans for outlets in Bedford, Basildon and Manchester. At the more upmarket end of the scene, Bristol company Swoon Gelato has expanded to Oxford and Bath, and now has a spot in Selfridges department store in London, putting dessert firmly on the fashion menu. Arguably, the concept of a dessert specialist goes back to the early 20th century with the likes of Bettys in Harrogate or Lyons Tea Rooms, or the ice-cream parlours that began opening across the UK from the late 19th century. However, the likes of Creams, Kaspa's and Heavenly Desserts have given desserts-only venues a youthful twist – with a mix of cakes, waffles, crepes and gelato – aimed at those who want an alternative to the pub or more staid atmosphere of coffee shops and tearooms, which often close at 4pm. Since Creams opened its first outlet in 2011, the dessert shop has become a meeting point for a wide array of British society, from kids and teens, who take over such venues as a place to hang out after school or in the early evening, to family groups and other non-drinkers searching for an alcohol-free place to socialise into the evening, to gen Z mates who increasingly favour booze-free venues and have an eye for the pop of colour an elaborate dessert can add to their social media feeds. At Creams, the decor is reminiscent of a night club, with black walls and spotlights helping to highlight the bubblegum-bright colours of its gelato. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion 'It is a very democratic meeting place,' says Kien Tan, senior retail adviser at PricewaterhouseCoopers, who puts dessert cafes in the same category as bubble tea venues. 'It is an affordable sweet treat, especially for people who don't drink alcohol. During the day there can be a cosy club crowd of older people who want an unthreatening place to have a treat.' A spokesperson for Heavenly Desserts said it primarily attracts 18- to 35-year-olds. 'While we welcome guests of all ages, it's this younger demographic that most strongly connects with the brand and continues to drive our growth. As a brand, we benefit from the growing desire among younger people for mindful, alcohol-free social experiences,' a spokesperson said. Everett Fieldgate, the chief executive of Creams, says you might find a different demographic attacking the waffles and ice-creams depending on the time of day you enter one of the company's outlets, which open as late as 3am in some locations. The Australian is giving the brand a new spin with a lighter look intended to appeal more to twentysomethings, families and daytime punters. He has also introduced a healthier range of items – including fruit skewers, albeit drizzled in chocolate – as families try to dial down their sugar intake. 'Consumers are definitely holding back, and they're being very careful with where and how they're spending money,' says Fieldgate. He says some consumers are looking to cut their spending on their favourite treat while others are downsizing from a meal out to just dessert and Creams is 'benefiting from both'. Fieldgate says Creams is also benefiting from the trend for some consumers to take time out – permanently or temporarily – from drinking alcohol, saying to friends, as he puts it: 'Let's go somewhere where I'm not going to be tempted.' In the cost of living crisis, such dessert places may not be cheap, with Creams' Hot 'N' Cold Chocolate Fudge Volcano Sundae costing £10.95, but they are so massive they can be shared and the whole experience is likely to cost less than a full meal out. Fieldgate says 2025 has started well, with sales helped by the warm sunny weather, although he says the group is 'keeping a close eye on costs' and being careful to ensure new sites are viable amid higher business rates and wages. He says the hospitality industry needs more help from government to revive high streets and help it fight back against online shopping. 'People are holding on by the skin of their teeth because of poor consumer confidence and the constantly increasing cost of doing business,' he says.
CBC
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Meet the Grammy behind Shaw's best-selling ice cream flavour
Meet the Grammy behind Shaw's most popular ice cream flavour 6 minutes ago Duration 3:57 When it comes to ice cream flavours, it turns out Grammy knows best. Shaw's Ice Cream is a family business, so when it comes to their most popular flavour creation, the three sisters who run the company looked to their Grammy's cupboard for inspiration. "So growing up, we would always visit our Grammy, and she'd have her homemade chocolate chip cookies, homemade peanut butter cookies, and these little brownies in the cupboard," said Kelly Heleniak, co-owner of Shaw's Ice Cream. "We thought, 'Hey, what if we throw together all of these ideas, and we have a flavour called Grammy's Cupboard?'" The blend of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter ripple, cookie dough and brownie pieces is the company's top-selling flavour, all credited to Grammy's inspiration. "I can't believe it; I'm just amazed," said Dorthy McLaughlin, the 92-year-old known as Grammy to her 14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. "I'm happy to be in this role." McLaughlin said she will often check the freezer section in grocery stores to see if her flavour is in stock. "There was a young guy filling up the shelves with ice cream, and I said to him, "Have you ever tried Grammy's Cupboard?" And then I told him I was the Grammy, because I always say I'm the Grammy," she said. On another occasion, McLaughlin was at Shaw's shop at 100 Kellogg Lane and was asked to take a photo with a fan of the flavour. "Grammy turned 92 this year, so it keeps her days interesting," said Heleniak. "I picked her up the other day because the local grocery store in Tillsonburg is carrying her flavour and wanted to bring in mass quantities. They had a whole door full of Grammy's, and I got a picture of her in front of the door. We posted it on our social media, and it just really snowballed." Shaw's Ice Cream was established in 1948. Heleniak and her sisters Kim McCutchen and Kristine Hayes took over the business in 2001 at a time when it was struggling and turned it into what is now local scoop shops in London and St. Thomas, a production facility in Tillsonburg, and ice cream that can be found in major grocery stores across the country.
CBC
12 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Meet the Grammy behind Shaw's most popular ice cream flavour
Shaw's Ice Cream is a family business, and their best-selling flavour was inspired by the owners' childhood visits to their grandma's kitchen. London Morning host Andrew Brown met with Dorothy McLaughlin, known as Grammy, and Kelly Heleniak, co-owner of Shaw's and one of Grammy's 14 grandchildren, at the shop near St. Thomas.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
I tried own-brand Twister ice lollies – the supermarket winner impressed my kids and cost £1.29 a pack
A PACK of ice lollies is a must in every parents' freezer over the summer. And the h umble Twister has long been a family favourite, regularly topping polls as one of our top choices. 6 However a pack of six will now set you back around £3, depending on where you shop - and they're tiny! The Walls' lollies are 20ml smaller than most of the supermarket own brands. But how do they stack up on taste? Lynsey Hope investigates... Walls Twister Mini 6 I loved the flavour of these. They are a real unusual mix of strawberry, lemon and pineapple - but it works. They are quite unique and they also have ice cream rather than just pure lolly which elevates them above many of the own brands. They are not too sugary and low in fat so they are a great option for smaller children. But my 10-year-old would huff at this as it's so tiny. Costing nearly 50p each, you really don't get much for your money. Taste: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 8/10 Asda Fruit Spiral Lollies £1.38 for 5, Asda (27.6p each) Nutrition per lolly: 46 calories, less than 0.5g fat, 8.5g sugar, less than 0.01g salt Size: 70ml A brilliant size, these look really impressive and they were quite refreshing on a hot day. However, whilst they cooled me down I felt they were a bit lacking in flavour. These need a fruity boost to make them more appealing. Sadly, although a wallet-friendly price, they weren't anything special. Taste: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 Tesco Fruity Helter Skelters £1.29 for 5, Tesco (25.8p each) Nutrition per lolly: 48 calories, 0.2g fat, 9.6g sugar, 0.04g salt Size: 70ml These looked almost identical to the Asda lollies but they contained a tiny bit more juice and tasted a little fruitier. The kids were impressed - they were among the first to be grabbed from the ice cream draw. They are a good size and not too high in sugar. They are slightly better value than Asda too, costing just over 25p each. Plus, they didn't melt too quickly and were really refreshing in the warm weather with a lovely fruity taste. These are a great choice overall and my winner from this test. Taste: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 9/10 M&S Super Loop Lollies £2.50 for 5, Ocado (50p each) Nutrition per lolly: 49 calories, 0.1g fat, 9.5g sugar, 0.01g salt Size: 50ml A delicious mix of orange, pineapple and strawberry flavours, I loved these and they looked really pretty, if a little small. The fruity flavours were delicious and refreshing to eat. Sadly they are a bit pricey at 50p per lolly, which makes them more expensive than Walls and they are the same mini size. I'd have given them a better rating if they were a bit bigger. Nevertheless, they were devoured in seconds. Taste: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 7/10 Aldi Gianni's Fruit Spiral Lollies £1.29 for 5, Aldi (25.8p each) Nutrition per lolly: 54 calories, 0.1g fat, 11g sugar, 0.02g salt Size: 70ml Aldi 's spiral lollies tasted a lot fruitier than other options, with delicious notes of orange, pineapple, apple and lemon. The colours were appealing and they were a good size AND an even better price, costing just over 25p each. They did contain some glucose syrup to sweeten them up a bit but I have to say I did like the flavour. Lovely, bargain lollies and a great option for feeding the masses. Taste: 3/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 8/10 How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
