Innovative Ice Cream Blends: Traditional & Unconventional Flavors Find Harmony

Vanilla and strawberries reign as the timeless champions of ice cream flavours, earning unwavering love and devotion from customers, but now there are new offerings that have much more to explore. Like other innovations in terms of flavours and combinations, ice creams have also reached another level of mixing and combination. The year 1977, when Nirula's first launched in Delhi/NCR, changed the way of eating frozen treats with its hot-selling hot fudge sundaes, pizzas, and burgers. It attracted all the school kids with rewards based on their mark-sheets. In fact, result day was considered incomplete without having ice cream tubs from Nirula's.



The present-day has over 30 ice cream brands available in the market, making it a difficult choice to select from. However, ultimately, the winner is determined by the best taste and a good combination of flavours.

"We draw endless inspiration from the diverse cultures of the world and the unique flavours they offer. Globally, brands introduce interesting blends. We are particularly drawn to the dynamic and experimental Indian market, which constantly seeks new and exciting taste experiences. This motivation pushes us to push the boundaries of flavour innovation," said Ashni Shah, Founder of NOTO.

Shah explained how they have launched traditional flavours as frozen treats, including kaccha aam, kokum, imli, gelato line, kala jamun, cereal milk, orange chocolate, and peanut butter. "Many of our distinctive flavours are influenced by various regions of the country and evoke nostalgia for traditional Indian tastes. Transforming them into ice creams can be a challenging process that begins with sampling other products with similar flavours and understanding their profiles. Additionally, we consider the overall understanding of the market. As a brand that prioritizes low/no added sugar and low-calorie ice creams, our primary focus is determining whether the flavours can be adapted with lower/no added sugar," he added.

Conventional players, including Amul, Vadilal, Unilever, Cream Bell, Havmor, Gianis and Mother Dairy, continue to lead the market with their basic and seasonal products. As the trend of delivering in minutes becomes popular, they are expanding into the realm of quick commerce with a greater focus on a hyperlocal business model to reach consumers on time.
 
Brands such as Naturals, Kude Mal, Gelato Vinto, and Laxmi Dairy have a strong focus on providing ice creams with natural fruit flavours.

Meha Agarwal, Founder of MeeMee's Ice Creams, stated that there are many consumers who enjoy experimenting with new flavours. However, the majority tends to stick to the classics, as they bring about feelings of comfort and nostalgia. "Flavour combinations are primarily determined based on what the person/customer enjoys, as well as the toppings we experiment with to add fun and interest while ensuring they complement the ice cream flavour. For instance, we created a coconut ice cream with a toasted coconut macaroon topping. The crunch and chewiness of the macaroon perfectly complement the creamy ice cream," she added.

MeeMee's most popular offerings include their cinnamon ice cream with a delectable cinnamon streusel topping and a refreshing ruby peach and lime sorbet.