I Scream, You Scream, It’s Time for Ice Cream!
Summertime is best spent with an ice cream in hand. However, aside from simply being a delicious treat, you can also turn a little ice cream indulgence into a teachable moment for the kids, as we take a stroll down memory lane with Beijing’s traditional ice creams that are as rich with flavor as they are history. Then, we’ll take a look at some of the capital’s most popular flavors, taste ’em all, and rank the whole lot!
Old Central Street Popsicle
Despite the fact that today, some regard this as a bland flavored ice-pop, its history and authenticity cannot be overstated. It is said to have originated during the summer of 1965 when an ice cream maker accidentally added 30 percent less milk to the original recipe. Nevertheless, the happy accident was met with rave reviews, and it quickly became the company’s new signature, selling out on the first day. Brittle and icy in texture, it’s a slightly sour but refreshing yogurt pop, making it the perfect summer treat and a vehicle for many a locals’ trips down memory lane. 10/10
Mongolian Yogurt Ice Cream
Many know Yili to be the infamous, multinational dairy-producing giant that sponsors Olympic games. However, setting aside the company for a moment, this otherwise unassuming yogurt treat is replete with flavor, to say the least, and the subtle tang that accompanies the taste is incredibly refreshing as a summer treat. 7/10
Handmade Green Bean
Another classic, its company, Dehua Limited, has been a staple of China’s frozen food industry since 1987. The authenticity is unparalleled and merely looking at the packaging is enough to trigger a wave of memories and emotion. The addition of green beans into actual ice cream and a hint of milk that doesn’t overpower the taste of bean proves timeless. 8/10
Little Tinker
This was an interesting one, bound to entice those who are younger. As my friend mentions, this five-in-one, individually-flavored, popsicle pack – although likely not the healthiest or most organic – is definitely unique in its approach, and I recall that it was extremely popular around five years ago among my primary school classmates (I wasn’t cool enough to get one then, or now, really). 4/10
Corn-Flavored Ice Cream
Although many people from the 80s and 90s generatons see this as a representation of their youth, this corn-flavored ice cream is definitely not for the faint of heart. The insipid wafer gives away to the astringent taste of corn. Although the question remains – should corn be an ice cream flavor in the first place? – the internet’s enduring love for this ice cream and disputes over the correct way to eat it certainly don’t waiver (ha! wafer) with time. 1/10
Dongbei Popsicle
An iconic ice cream for many of the 90s generation, this nostalgia-inducing series of ice creams – concocted by the Red Diamond company in 1992 – was and still is worthy of its overnight success.
Original
The original milk flavor was unexpectedly citrusy in taste and consists of strands of ice. Basically, if you bite into this one, your teeth will be digging into ice threads. On top of that, it carries a distinctly sharp flavor. 6/10
Chocolate
The chocolate flavor is more akin to coffee, with a bitter and grittier taste. Although not the best option to accompany your hot summer day, it could potentially be salvaged with a sweeter side dessert. 5/10
Strawberry
The strawberry is precisely the type of treat I was looking for. The impression was that of a sorbet, but make no mistake, the aftertaste suggested nothing of additives or artificial flavoring. Rather, it possessed a slightly tangy but altogether decadent strawberry taste. 8/10
Durian
For the durian, I had to enlist the help of a pro-durian friend (Full disclosure: I was immediately struck dead by the pungent aroma). Simply put, our perspectives were diametrically opposed. Whilst she happily munched away at the ice cream bar, savoring every last morsel, I was trying desperately to wash the aftertaste out of my mouth. If you like durian, this diversely textured, scrumptious, durian-to-the-max ice cream is the way to go. As for those who don’t, run! 0/10, 10/10
Matcha
Although relatively new product-wise, it has received its share of positive feedback. The matcha is, in my opinion, entirely underrated and should be as revered as Magnum and similar A-list ice-creams. The texture is an absolute delight – complex and multi-faceted due to its crunchy outer crust surrounding the soft but fortified cream inside. Likewise, the matcha is strong but doesn’t assault your taste buds. It’s also not overly sweet, so those who love a good afternoon tea will be pleasantly surprised by this otherwise unsuspecting treat. 10/10
Green Bean
Last but not least, green bean. Its bean fragments result in a chunkier texture that’s pleasant to nibble on, but it does taste rather artificial, and after looking at the ingredients list, it’s definitely not the most natural approach we’ve seen to creating a bean flavored ice cream. 6/10
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 July-August issue
