Hong Kong protest-inspired ‘tear gas’ ice cream packs some heat and leaves a lingering aftertaste
- After trying wasabi and mustard, the owners of Sogno Gelato in Hong Kong went with peppercorns for their creation
- The pieces of peppercorn may look like vanilla, but they pack a real punch
The initial notes of Sogno Gelato’s tear gas ice cream are spicy peppercorn that hit the roof of the mouth and continue down the throat. It’s not itchy, but neither is it a comfortable sensation. It’s not a flavour one would choose over something like pistachio or plain chocolate.
And yes, after finishing the gelato the pepperiness lingers, much like tear gas.
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Hong Kong shop offers ‘tear gas’ flavoured gelato to remind customers of anti-government protests
Sogno Gelato is certainly living up to its tagline “more than ice cream”. The shop, in a nondescript mall in Tsuen Wan, a former industrial new town in Hong Kong’s New Territories, has romantic pink roses on the wall, yet displays fierce anti-government protest art and memorabilia for sale.
Chung opened a gelateria in Tsuen Wan because he lives in the district, and wants to educate people there about gelato. He explains that it contains more milk, and less double cream than ice cream, and has a lower fat content; three scoops of gelato have the same calories as two scoops of ice cream.
