Global Courant 2023-05-22 04:00:00
Some ice creams are known for their rich flavours, but a Japanese confectioner’s latest concoction may also suit those with deeper pockets, for a cool 880,000 yen (S$8,575) for each serving.
The treasured dessert called Byakuya, or white night in Japanese, was officially named the world’s most expensive ice cream by Guinness World Records last week.
Creator Cellato concocted its pricey offerings with several expensive elements, including edible gold leaf, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and sake dregs, an alcoholic paste-like by-product of Japanese sake production.
But the cream of the crop of ingredients is the white phantom truffle grown in Alba, Italy, which can fetch prices of about two million yen for a kilogram of the rare material dubbed the “diamond of the kitchen”.
“It took us over 1.5 years to develop, with a lot of trial and error to get the right flavor,” a Cellato spokesperson told Guinness. champagne and caviar.
Lucky Cellato employees who got to taste Byakuya described the smell of the gelato as “rich in flavor and texture,” thanks to the aroma of the white truffle, followed by the complex, fruity taste of the cheese and the aftertaste of the sake dregs .
To create the gelato that “pampers even your cells,” the confectioner enlisted the services of Mr. Tadayoshi Yamada, head chef of RiVi, an Osaka restaurant famed for its imaginative cuisine that combines European and Japanese ingredients.
For 880,000 yen, those willing and able to purchase a scoop of Byakuya can also get a serving of white truffle oil meant to be poured onto the gelato, as well as a handmade metal spoon to eat it with.
All of this is packaged in a collection box that Cellato can ship to buyers in Japan by frozen airfreight to ensure the gelato stays refrigerated upon delivery.
Not everyone shares the joy that Cellato deserves the title of the world’s most expensive ice cream.
“Will this ice cream give me longevity and prosperity?” a Twitter user commented on Guinness’s page announcing the record.
Aside from its world-class offerings, Cellato also offers a relatively cheaper gelato called Starry Night, made with black truffles and chocolate and sold for 10,000 yen (S$97) per scoop, a bargain compared to its fairer counterpart.
