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By Ashley Sim
We’ve all encountered unusual ice cream flavours, like the classic yet divisive mint chocolate chip or the inexplicably delightful salted caramel. But, what if I told you that you could add another surprising flavour to your list? Enter the ‘Green Pepper Ice Cream’.
Yes, you read that right. Green. Pepper. Ice Cream. Who knew peppercorns and ice cream could be so compatible? This one-of-a-kind creation can be found at the Kuching Food Festival (KFF) in Zone E beneath a large tent labelled ‘Kuching Creative City’ at the ‘The Chef’s Table’ booth.
When local produce inspires creative culinary masterpieces
The enigmatic genius behind the strangely appetising Green Pepper Ice Cream is none other than Ooi See Bee. She is the owner of ‘Cloud-99 Ice Cream’, a renowned establishment known for serving liquid nitrogen ice cream.
In a nutshell, Ooi specialises in the customization and creation of instant freeze, low-fat, healthy, and fresh ice cream using liquid nitrogen. Customers can engage Cloud-99 Ice Cream for any occasion as Ooi can bring her ice cream truck to events and make fresh ice cream on the spot, or set up an ice cream bar. Customers also have the option to bring their own fresh fruits (preferably with high fibre) or flavourings to create their preferred ice cream on the spot.
“I was a participant in Sago (Sarawak Gastronomy Incubator), and Chef Binyas (Chef Binyas Suem) was my personal mentor. During a meet-up session, Chef Binyas told me about the use of green pepper in cookies. Since that day, I have harvested Sarawak green peppercorns from ‘Reimagine’ founder Chef Achang’s (Chef Achang Libat) garden and conducted R&D (research and development).
“I tried it on ice cream, baked it on chocolate cookies and brownies, and it came out really good. Of course, with the guidance of Chef Achang,” Ooi told DayakDaily in an exclusive interview.
She continued, “Chef Achang was our resident mentor at the time. Without him, I would not have known as much about local produce. I took the opportunity to learn the taste and textures. Especially on local produce. He is one of the best in Sarawak who knows all kinds of ingredients and plants. And very experimental as well.
“Before I met him, he was already producing tapioca leaves; I’m simply carrying on his tradition for this flavour.
“So, through trial and error, we create other flavours such as ‘Terung Asam’, ‘Kantan’, and ‘Tepus’.”
Ooi also mentioned that she has attempted to incorporate different plants as flavours in her ice cream, but unfortunately, she has not been successful.
“So now Achang and I are partners in both Cloud-99 Ice Cream and culinary ventures.
“He oversees the menu and all kitchen operations, while I oversee the operation, branding, marketing, and promotions.
“We are a group of nomad chefs who cater to private events and prepare meals for clients,” she added.
A flavour that may leave you grinning and wanting more
So, what does Green Pepper Ice Cream taste like, you ask? Imagine diving into a sweet, creamy pool, only to find a lively green peppercorn waiting to surprise you. The initial sweetness hits first, luring you into a sense of familiar comfort. But wait! There’s a peppery note lurking around the corner, leaping out to tickle your tongue with an unexpected savoury kick.
It’s a delightful flavour tug-of-war between the creamy, sugary goodness and the playful peppery kick. The sweet side wants to pamper your taste buds, while the spicy side yearns for a little adventure. And together, they create a dynamic duo that leaves you with a grin and perhaps a slight craving for another spoonful.
When asked about the process of creating Green Pepper Ice Cream, Ooi said that she first cooks the green peppercorns and then blends it into a paste-like texture. Next, she combines the paste with creme brulee syrup and fresh milk, and proceeds to churn the mixture. Finally, she adds liquid nitrogen to the mixture.
This week at KFF, Cloud-99 Ice Cream is featuring Green Pepper Ice Cream on their menu. The price for a small cup of this unique flavour is RM15. ‘Tapioca Leaves Ice Cream’ was available last week. Ooi also mentioned that ‘Terung Asam Ice Cream’ will be available next week.
Cloud-99 Ice Cream also caters to those who enjoy a more traditional taste. They offer classic ice cream flavours like ‘Salted Caramel’, ‘Creme Brulee’, ‘Chocolate Cookies’, ‘Cookies N Cream’, ‘Gula Apong’, and ‘Teh C Peng’.
Conclusion: Add a dash of spice to your dessert life
So, fellow food enthusiasts, whether you’re a local looking to add a dash of spice to your dessert life or a tourist hungry for adventure, Cloud-99’s Green Pepper Ice Cream awaits you at KFF this week. Bon pepper-appetit!
— DayakDaily
