Spices such as cinnamon, rosemary, sage, ginger and cardamom are traditional aromas of the Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine. These ingredients have an undisputed role in first courses, meat and fish second courses and vegetable side dishes but they also offer a rich and complex aromatic profile that pairs perfectly with the sweetness and creaminess of ice cream. Spices are also superfoods with precious beneficial properties that add extra value to this new frontier of desserts.
Europrodotti guides you to the discovery of the spiced ice creams, new flavors capable of offering the palate a unique sensory experience that blends tradition, health and creativity.
The functional and nutraceutical properties of spiced ice creams
Spiced ice creams are a growing sector in the world of frozen desserts, not only for their intense and original flavors but also for the benefits they can offer to health. Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and pepper are used to enrich ice cream with functional properties, that is characteristics that go beyond simple nutritional intake, actively contributing to the well-being of the body. For example, some of these spices have anti-inflammatory, digestive, antioxidant or immunostimulant effects.
When a food is capable of performing a beneficial action on health thanks to the presence of natural bioactive compounds, it is also defined as nutraceutical, a term born from the fusion of nutrition and pharmaceutical. In this case ice cream becomes a pleasant and accessible vehicle for taking functional ingredients, offering a valid alternative to traditional food supplements. Therefore, in addition to the taste, spiced ice creams can help to improve the general tone of the body, transforming a sin of gluttony into a small gesture of daily care.
Cinnamon ice cream: warmth and sweetness
Cinnamon is undoubtedly one of the most loved and versatile spices. Its sweet and enveloping aroma lends itself perfectly to create ice creams with a strong but elegant character. It can be used in powder form or infused in milk and cream to release all its warm and spicy notes. In addition to its taste cinnamon is known for its antioxidant and digestive properties: it can regulate blood sugar and reduce cholesterol. A cinnamon ice cream thus becomes a healthy pleasure, perfect when paired with apples, walnuts or dark chocolate.
Rosemary and sage ice cream: aromatic freshness
Rosemary and sage are aromatic herbs typical of the Mediterranean scrub that bring a fresh and slightly resinous note to ice cream, surprising for their balance between sweetness and bitterness. These herbs are rich in essential oils with anti-inflammatory, purifying and digestive properties that contribute to general well-being. They are ideally used in light ice creams, often combined with yogurt or ricotta bases and accompanied by honey or citrus fruits for a refreshing and gourmet effect.
Ginger ice cream: spicy and vitality
The characteristic spicy and pungent flavor of ginger is the ideal choice for those looking for a strong taste and a touch of vitality. Used in both creams and sorbets, it offers a sensation of warmth and freshness at the same time. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory, digestive and anti-nausea properties, as well as stimulating circulation. Combined with lemon, orange or sweet spices such as cinnamon it creates a fantastic ice cream that awakens the palate and supports physical well-being.
Cardamom ice cream: exotic elegance
Cardamom is an oriental spice with an intense aroma that gives ice cream an elegant and refined character. Its fresh and moderately mentholated notes make it perfect in combination with white chocolate, vanilla or citrus fruits. In addition to the sensory pleasure, cardamom is appreciated for its carminative and digestive properties, which help to combat bloating and heaviness. An ice cream that combines elegance, taste and lightness after a meal.
Turmeric and black pepper ice cream: the well-being couple
The turmeric and black pepper ice cream stands out among the most innovative and healthy proposals. Turmeric is a precious root with strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and purifying properties, while black pepper enhances its absorption thanks to piperine. Together they create a spicy, warm and enveloping taste, ideal on vegetable milk or yogurt bases. This ice cream not only surprises with its flavor but also offers real support to the immune system and joint well-being.
Mustard ice cream: character and refinement
Mustard is a spicy spice with digestive and thermogenic properties, which promote metabolism by increasing the production of body heat. In an ice cream mustard can offer a surprising flavor that gives intense and elegant aromatic sensations. This flavor is best expressed when paired with neutral bases such as cream or mascarpone, which soften its character, or with touches of honey, figs or caramelized pears, for a sweet and sour combination rich in nuances. Mustard ice cream is perfect as a sweet/salted interlude in a tasting journey or as an original end to a meal that combines innovation and tradition with a touch of audacity.
Goji berry ice cream: natural anti-aging
Goji berries are small fruits of Asian origin. Although they do not belong to the category of spices it is important to mention them for their extraordinary antioxidant properties, due to the high content of vitamins (especially C and E) and mineral salts. They give to an ice cream a slightly acidic and fruity flavor, perfect for a fresh and healthy break. This flavor is ideal for those looking for a dessert that combines lightness and nutrition without sacrificing pleasure. Excellent on a yogurt or vegetable milk base, goji berry ice cream is a true concentration of energy, well-being and taste.
A little tip for artisanal and home ice cream makers
To maximize the aromatic characteristics of spices it is advisable to proceed with slow and controlled infusions, avoiding excessively high temperatures that could compromise the delicate aromas. Furthermore, the combination with complementary ingredients such as dried fruit, citrus fruits or honey can further enhance the organoleptic profile of the ice cream.
Europrodotti, with its long experience in the selection and processing of high quality spices and flavours, offers innovative solutions for the production of ice cream to firms, pastry shops and artisan ice cream parlors and to all families who own an ice cream maker, offering raw materials capable of enhancing each recipe with authenticity and intensity.