12 bizarre ice cream flavors from Lithuania

05-Aug-2020 - Last updated on 05-Aug-2020 at 19:58 GMT

Cucumber ice cream, which didn’t even make the top 12 unusual Lithuanian ice creams, at Gray's House. Pic: LithuaniaTravel

Related tags Ice cream Lithuania

It seems plain vanilla ice cream might soon be out of fashion in Lithuania, where chefs are experimenting with natural flavors, including plenty not normally associated with ice cream.

Chefs in Lithuania are now going the extra mile to create ice cream flavors with a local touch - here's a list of some of the weirdest ice cream flavors created in the country.

Pine needle ice cream

Pine needles have been long known as a source of vitamin C. According to health specialists, pine needles improve the immune system, strengthen the body, and slow down aging. Freshly harvested pine needles, sugar powder, and cream are the main ingredients of this one. This combination smells, as you’d imagine, just like a Christmas tree. No crunchy pine cones included, though.

Peony ice cream

Peony flowers are not just for the garden. This ice cream is made from petal syrup mixed with cream. The petals turn the ice cream pink and make it smell like perfume.

Carrot ice cream

As carrots are quite sweet, they are often used in cakes, puddings, and pancakes. According to food historians, the use of carrots as sweeteners dates back to WW1. When preparing this ice cream, chefs soak carrots in maple syrup, which gives them a caramel aftertaste. If you see a line up of rabbits at an ice cream truck, you’ll know why.

Rhubarb ice cream

Not so unusual, perhaps. Fresh rhubarb is rich in vitamins C, P, and K. Rhubarb ice cream also contains sugar, water, orange peel, ginger, and salt.

Beetroot ice cream

Beetroot is a healthy choice, which can be used not only in main dishes and smoothies but also in various cakes and cupcakes. This beetroot dessert has a deep, earthy aroma, purple color, and goes well with dark chocolate. You can’t beet it.

Lavender ice cream

Lavender petals are soaked overnight in vanilla ice cream to reveal the aroma.

Quark and nettle ice cream

While the combination of quark and stinging nettle may sound strange, ice cream from these ingredients is reminiscent of green tea. Nutritionists say that nettle is rich in vitamins, but if nettle soup does not rock your boat, ice cream might be a better choice. And in case you were (or weren’t) wondering, it won’t sting your tongue.

Linden honey and dill oil ice cream

Although dill is commonly used as a spice, according to the kitchen chef of the Velvetti restaurant in southern Lithuania, dill oil balances the sweetness of the honey, and gives the dessert a savory quality. Think dill pickle chips with honey on them. Or not.

Seaweed and caviar ice cream

More of a snack than a dessert, this is a flavor you may find on the Lithuanian coast. It allegedly tastes like sushi.

Spinach and tarragon ice cream

For veggie lovers, spinach and tarragon ice cream is an alternative to a smoothie. Spinach is considered one of the healthiest vegetables in the world. Add some tarragon and you’ve got a definite ice cream talking point.

Beer ice cream

According to the ice cream chef, only dark beer is used for production because of its strong caramel aftertaste. To ensure sweetness, they also use sugar and lemon juice. It probably comes in small, medium and lager. Sorry. After eight ice creams you probably have brain freeze but don’t really care.