WATCH: World’s most expensive ice-cream will cost you over R100K a scoop

With weather temperatures currently on the chilly side in most parts of the country, ice-cream might not be on everyone’s mind. But this probably gives a handful of people enough time to save up for a scoop in the summer as the world’s most expensive ice-cream can cost you about R123 000.

The world’s most expensive ice cream

According to the Guinness World Records, the Byakuya, which can be translated to White Night in Japanese is currently fetching ¥880 000 (about R123 000) thus making it the most expensive ice-cream in the world. The frozen dessert is owned by Japanese brand Cellato and the reason behind its eyebrow raising price is the ingredients. They include a rare white truffle grown in Alba, Italy, priced at ¥2million per kilogram while other special ingredients include Parmigiano Reggiano and sake lees.

The reason behind the creation

The purpose of making the ice-cream wasn’t only to have the title of “world’s most expensive ice-cream” but the Cellato brand wanted to bring about a fusion of continental flavours. The ingredients can be found in European and Asia. The ice-cream brand brought in Tadayoshi Yamada, the head chef at RiVi, a restaurant in Osaka known for its imaginative fusion cuisine. The ice cream is topped off by an edible gold leaf, two types of cheese and “Sakekasu,” a paste-like ingredient derived from the process of sake-making.

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Can we have a taste please?

The ice-cream is yet to be sampled by the Guinness World Records team, but Cellato staff was part of the sampling. They described it as rich in taste and texture. They recommend pairing the tasting with sake or a French white wine.

The desert is available for sale in Japan and is shipped directly to consumers, according to Cellato’s website. Describing how it should be served, the website says: “Pour in the white truffle oil and mix until it is slightly soft enough for you to insert a spoon into it. If it is too hard for a spoon to enter, wait at room temperature or heat in the microwave at 500w for 10-20 seconds.”

“There is no expiration date, but we recommend eating it as soon as possible, about 10 days after purchase, in order to preserve the flavour and texture. [Shipping method] Frozen flight (Yamato Transport).”

“It took us over 1.5 years to develop, with a lot of trials and errors to get the taste right. Achieving a Guinness World Records title made the effort all worth it,” said a Cellato representative speaking to Guinness World Records.

The Asian company is said to be planning on releasing products with other combinations of the finest ingredients, such as champagne and caviar.

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Reactions to the expensive ice cream

A number of people on social media weren’t too impressed by the expensive ice-cream, with many asking if the frozen dessert can do more than just excite their taste buds.

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