Now, look, we’re no strangers to wild and weird and wonderful flavour combinations in our food. After all, not too long ago people were putting Vegemite in their coffee here in London. Our city is even home to a store where you can buy everything from ‘Human Snot’ to ‘Brain Jam’. But there’s one annual event that always pushes the limits of our tastebuds: the return of the inimitable Anya Hindmarch Ice Cream Project. The limited-time ice-cream parlour always manages to outdo itself and surprise us with flavours that are even more mind-boggling than before. Well, strap in, folks, because it’s opened up for the summer, ready to bewilder us once more.
If you’re not familiar, the Anya Hindmarch Ice Cream Project is a pop-up ice cream parlour that draws inspiration from “store cupboard essentials, vintage beverages, favourite biscuits and even classic condiments…” That means you can expect some pretty out-there flavours. In past years this has included the likes of Sarson’s Vinegar flavour and a Filippo Berio Pesto ice cream! Other flavours have ranged from Branston Piccalilli to Heinz Baked Beans, as well as tastier-sounding choices like Kenco Coffee ice cream and McVitie’s Jaffa Cake.
Take a look at a previous visit to the Ice Cream Project to see what we thought:
What’s perhaps most surprising is that even their strangest-sounding flavours are delicious. Somehow, they make it work! It may have something to do with the fact that each flavour is hand-made in small batches in Devon – using only the best ingredients.
How weird are the flavours?
Now that the parlour has opened for the summer, we’ve had a chance to see what flavours they’re serving. They’ve brought back a few old favourites, as well as debuting some wild new ones. This year’s creative concoctions include:
- Bird’s Custard
- Bisto Gravy
- Copella Cloudy Apple Juice (sorbet)
- Filippo Berrio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Flying Goose Sriracha
- Garnier’s Pickled Onions
- Irn-Bru (sorbet)
- Maldon Sea Salt (sorbet)
- McVitie’s Club Orange
- McVitie’s Milk Chocolate Hobnobs
- Ovaltine
- Quaker Oats
- Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake
- Rowse Honey
- Jacob’s Twiglets
You can try them out in person at the ice cream parlour, or you can purchase tubs to take home and share with your friends. Go on, buy a few of the weirdest ones so you can see how your mates react! But be sure you don’t dawdle to try it out; the Ice Cream Project will only be in town for a few months!
More than just ice cream
Reckon your taste buds are up to scratch? You can put them to the test (and skip the queues) with the Ice Cream Project Blind Tasting Tea at the Anya Cafe. The afternoon tea/ice cream tasting experience treats you to a marathon blind tasting of 15 flavours. Along the way, you’ll try and guess the flavours of the scoops and sprinkles. Oh, and they’ll also have shortbread as well as a glass of lemonade or sparkling water – “to cleanse your tasting palate…”
Bookings are recommended for the blind tasting and can be made for a minimum of two people. Book your spot for the experience here.
The Anya Hindmarch Ice Cream Project is open now, until August 16. Find it at 11 Pont Street, SW1X 9EH. The nearest stations are Knightsbridge and Sloane Square.
Find out more here.