A Match Made in Dessert Heaven: Olive Oil on Ice Cream
Olive oil on ice cream sounds absurd, right? We’re used to topping the sweet treat with sprinkles or marshmallows, not olive oil. Although it seems outrageous, it creates a firecracker combination that will keep you hooked.
It’s a delicious combination of contrasting flavors and textures that will probably make olive oil your new favorite topping on ice cream. The duo is taking over the internet for a reason.
Image via Honestly Yum
Celebrities and influencers have been spreading the word about this pairing. Dua Lipa endorsed this dessert combination in a recent interview with BBC Radio 1. She told the interviewer she loves olive oil, vanilla ice cream, and sea salt.
Nara Smith made a TikTok of preparing this dessert as her favorite late-night snack and said it’s addicting. So many creators have posted their reactions to pairing using Nara or Dua’s audio. Many people have found themselves shocked by the fact that the two really do work together.
@naraazizasmith elite combination!! #snacks #latenightsnack #treat #dessert #vanillaicecream #icecream #fypシ ♬ original sound - Nara Smith
Although this combination has been recently popularized, it is anything but new. Italians have enjoyed olive oil on ice cream for years, calling it Gelato Con Olio E Sale.
Olive oil is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. The household staple is incorporated in both sweet and savory dishes in Italy. The ingredient is central to the Mediterranean diet.
Why is olive oil on ice cream so good?
Contrast of flavors
Adding olive oil and flaky sea salt to your ice cream, you upgrade the whole flavor profile of your once-simple dessert. The flavor of ice cream by itself can be unilateral.
It can get unilateral, and olive oil provides an adventurous kick. The undertones of olive oil add floral, nutty, and herbaceous flavors, which elevate the ice cream.
Rich texture
Adding olive oil to ice cream elevates the texture. It makes it so much creamier. It almost feels luxurious to indulge in. The addition of flaky salt also adds a satisfying crunch.
Health Benefits
Olive oil boasts numerous benefits, and by pairing it with ice cream, you get to enjoy a sweet treat and take in the health benefits olive oil offers. Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can work to reduce overall inflammation in the body.
Olive oil is also full of antioxidants like vitamin E and phenolic compounds. It is also high in healthy monosaturated fats. A study also showed that adding extra virgin olive oil to foods helps lower their glycemic index. It found that meals with one or two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil can help moderate blood sugar levels.
Tips on Enjoying Olive Oil on Ice Cream
Good Quality oil
Make sure to use a good quality oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice. High-quality extra virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing of olives without heat or chemicals, which helps preserve the natural flavor of the olive. It has grassy and fruity notes and a peppery finish, adding a complex flavor profile to the ice cream.
Olive oils that are not extra virgin are refined, so they will not add much flavor to this dessert. Avoid olive oil bottles that are clear as light and heat make olive oil lose its flavor and aroma quicker. Ensure the bottle has a harvest date, as good producers tend to include it.
Olive oil tastes better the fresher it is. It has more assertive and flavorful notes. I recommend brands like Graza, which Nara Smith used when she made her viral TikTok of olive oil ice cream, Bertolli, and Bona Sicilia.
Experimenting with infused oil
Try flavored oils if you want to add even more of a twist to this dessert. Infused or flavored olive oils are oils that have taken on the flavor of another ingredient. There are flavors like thyme, blood orange, ginger, garlic, and more.
These infused oils would add another layer of flavor to the olive oil and ice cream combination, further deepening the flavor complex. It’s an excellent way to spice up the dessert if you’re feeling adventurous.
Experimenting with Different Ice Cream Flavors
Try experimenting with different ice cream flavors to find the perfect match. Mixing and matching different oils and ice cream flavors could take this dessert to another level.
Combining flavors like strawberry ice cream with basil-flavored oil or caramel ice cream with cinnamon olive oil would elevate your simple dessert to a luxurious experience.
Flaky salt
Flaky salt is a must when preparing this dessert. The saltiness cuts through the sweetness of the ice cream which adds depth to the flavor profile. It adds a satisfying crunch to the dessert and makes it more interesting to eat. Sea salt is the best to use.
It has a bright, clean flavor and contains essential magnesium, calcium, and potassium minerals. Sea salt is also minimally processed compared to table salt which comes from salt mines and is processed to eliminate minerals. It may also contain additives like Iodine.
Some good brands of sea salt include Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, Jacobsen Salt Co, and La Baleine.
The next time you’re looking around your kitchen for your perfect late-night sweet treat, try putting olive oil on your ice cream. It may seem like an improbable pairing, but the flavors create a pleasant harmony that may surprise you.
More Olive Oil Based Desserts
Olive oil on desserts isn’t new; Kylie Jenner popularized the olive oil cake from Little House Confections with her infamous cutting techniques back in 2020. Olive oil has been tried and loved with cakes, breads, cookies, etc.
Even Starbucks just released their new line of Oleato beverages, a lineup of drinks infused with extra virgin olive oil. After researching about this, I was tempted to try it. I did not think there was any way olive oil could taste good in coffee, but I was proved so wrong.
The olive oil provided a different type of creaminess and an umami flavor that elevated the coffee drink to a new level. It now made sense why people love to add olive oil to their desserts. It adds richness and a unique flavor profile. Olive oil is also highly versatile and pairs well with various ingredients like spices, herbs, citrus, etc.
Olive oil is even becoming popular as a delicious dressing on fruit salad. It just complements sweet so well.
About The Writer: Diya Kumar is a student at Northeastern University studying Business Administration and Computer Science. She is interested in yoga and all things wellness. You can learn more about her on LinkedIn.
