Crab ice cream

Crab ice cream is a unique treat that incorporates crab as a primary ingredient. This unconventional flavor originates from Japan, where it is known as "kani aisu." While its taste is generally described as sweet, opinions on the flavor can vary widely. Hokkaido, a Japanese island, is particularly renowned for producing this distinctive ice cream.

To create crab ice cream, you begin by making a stock from crab (or occasionally prawns), which is then combined with milk powder, egg yolks, and sugar. This mixture is subsequently frozen to produce the final ice cream. Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has his own rendition of crab ice cream, likening it to a frozen version of crab bisque.

For those curious to try it, crab ice cream is available at Heston Blumenthal's restaurant, The Fat Duck, in England, where it is offered as a dessert. Another place to sample this intriguing flavor is Heladería Coromoto in Venezuela, which features a "Cream of Crab" flavor among its extensive selection. In Japan, seeking out "kani aisu" will lead you to this unique ice cream.

Introducing crab ice cream to new customers can be challenging. Even Heston Blumenthal faced difficulties convincing people to give it a try. While some ice cream parlors outside Japan, like one in Delaware, have endeavored to create their own versions, the results have been inconsistent when it comes to capturing the original flavor.