By Micheline M. Filion
Can you even remember your last two scoops of chocolate or vanilla? Probably not. But don’t worry: taste adventures born of the fertile imaginations of Montreal’s artisan ice-cream makers are here to tempt your inner explorer. Life is short, so go off the beaten track and try these 15 ice creams, sorbets and gelatos with anything but humdrum flavours. [image credit: iStockphoto]
There’s nothing more standard than a bowl of cereal at breakfast. But a Corn Flakes flavor ice cream is definitely not business as usual. Simply put, it tastes of fresh milk and toasted corn. We’re holding out – or not – for a Froot Loops version (Kem Koba). True-blue Montrealers will opt for the Bagel ice cream (pieces of bagel, cream cheese and strawberry jam), which tastes like cheesecake (Les Givrés).
With a name that’s synonymous with summer, we couldn’t neglect to mention Roast Corn ice cream, which is a real delight with its sweet corn coated with fresh butter taste (Les Givrés). In the same vein, the Salted Butter ice cream, which is supple and balanced in saltiness, seems to be a hit with children and adults alike (Kem Koba). As for the more robust flavours: the Sésame gelato, with its lilac-tinted milky grey colour – very chic, my dear – offers creamy buttered aromas with a strong taste of sesame (Armoire à glaces); one of our favourites.
The Lavender ice cream is certainly fragrant, but not overpoweringly so: the aromas are delicately balanced. To be eaten with eyes closed to capture the subtle notes and perhaps even taking the opportunity to softly hum an old classic by Enrico Macias (Crèmerie meuh meuh). For a more intense but still refined experience, opt for a flavoursome Raspberry and thyme sorbet, which is popular with the regulars (Léo le Glacier).
With its slightly flaky fruit pulp texture, the Ananas-anis (Pineapple-aniseed) gelato has a decidedly summery flavour and well-balanced notes of anise – neither too subtle nor too overwhelming. It’s the perfect companion for a game of pétanque (Armoire à glaces). Complex on the palate, almost peppered, the Blood orange and cinnamon sorbet goes for a balance of the bitterness of the fruit and the spice of the cinnamon, expressed as an accent rather than a dominant flavour. Intriguing (Léo le Glacier). Simple and effective, the Carrot and cardamom gelato bets it all on the sweet carrot flavour, finished with a discreet pinch of cardamom – and it pays off (Armoire à glaces).
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Another favourite: the Campari-grapefruit sorbet, with its pleasing texture, the pleasant bitterness of the Campari softened by the notes of grapefruit. Buy a round without fear of a hangover (Léo le Glacier). With its super-subtle alcohol flavour, the Lemon-blue sorbet emphasises the acidic freshness of citrus fruit. The famous liqueur of the Dutch West Indies adds a sweet and agreeable note, while giving the ice cream a beautiful baby blue colour (Léo le Glacier).
Looking for maximum calories and a sugar rush? The Banana Republic, an ice cream with brownies, caramel, crumble and bananas could provide you with enough energy to illuminate the Olympic Stadium or climb its mast with bare hands (Les Givrés). Chocolate addicts will be swayed by Chocolate 6X (Ripples), one of the most intensely chocolate options in town. Not to be missed.
Balsamic-vinegar ice cream, really? Yes indeed! It’s surprisingly delicious: round in the mouth, with the sweet and caramelised flavours of a balsamic reduction. No vinegar effect; they’ll even suggest that you have it with another scoop of a more tart flavour – raspberry, for example (Crèmerie Meu Meu).
Once we’ve digested all of this, we promise to taste the new Fig and ricotta (Armoire à glaces) and the Choco-Bacon ice cream (the Jeanne-D'Arc Café ice cream shop). Inspired by the world of frozen pleasures and want to make your own? Have a read of this article!
