"Crickets were something I wanted to try, also in the form of ice cream," said the confectioner, who has eaten and cooked a lot of "strange things."
I scream, you scream, and we all scream for ice cream. But wait before you set out to gorge on this one. German Confectioner Thomas Micolino's curiosity to invent and offer "unique" flavors, may have gone a bit too far this time and the internet is buzzing with apprehension. If you're as adventurous as Micolino, on your next trip to Germany—apart from checking out the country's bread, sausages, palaces, carnivals, and beer—do stop by the southern town of Rottenburg am Neckar and try his new ice cream flavor with dried brown insects as toppings. No, we aren't joking.
Talking about his new cricket ice cream, Micolino wrote on Instagram, "We have literally been inundated with lots of criticism, lots of compliments, lots of surprises, and lots of curiosity about our new cricket flour ice cream." Naturally, who would think of insect-flavored ice cream?
The unusual confectioner is renowned for experimenting with "distinct" flavors and is known to offer liver sausage and Gorgonzola cheese ice cream as well as gold-plated ice cream for $4.25 per scoop, reports The Washington Post. He often challenges Germany's traditional flavor preferences like strawberry, chocolate, banana, and vanilla ice cream. But this time, he left people bemused and confused with his creation.
Unfazed by people's criticism, he shared that the creation of this flavor was a tedious task as it took up all his winters. He said, "I didn't put up without fear of backlash." He also believes that this is the food of the future, stating: "It's a small message for the food that could be the future." He told the German news agency dpa that he is experimental in his taste and embraces unique flavors without judgment.
"I am a very curious person and want to try everything. I have eaten a lot of things, including a lot of strange things, and crickets were something I still wanted to try, also in the form of ice cream," he shared. Umm, do you still need some more convincing?
Surprisingly, there are some people who admit to having tried the ice cream flavor and said it "actually" tastes good. "Those who try it are very enthusiastic. I have customers who come here every day and buy a scoop," Micolino claimed. A customer named Konstantin Dick reportedly described the "cricket-infused flavor" as "really very tasty and edible" to reporters. Another customer, Johann Peter Schwarze, mentioned, "you can still sense the cricket in the ice cream."
Would you be brave enough to lick an insect scoop? Wait, let us help you out in deciding. Here's a quick idea of its ingredients: it has cricket flour, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and honey. Well, we're not so sure about how our palates would handle the cricket flour.
Micolino's dream could only be possible after European Union passed a regulation that allows the use of insects in food. The regulation states crickets may be frozen, dried, or used as a powder. And EU already allowed migratory locusts and flour beetle larvae as a food additive, dpa reported. Featured in a lot of renowned publications, Micolino is seen proudly posing with his "distinctive" ice cream and claims that it has a "surprisingly yummy taste.” You may decide to try Micolino's insect flavors or think of sparing your tastebuds. To each his own.
Share on Facebook