happy birthday scoop!

A few weeks ago was Scoop’s second birthday! For those of you who don’t remember reading from our blog before, Scoop sells the best gelato in the world (albeit our little world =P)! To commemorate this special occasion, the owner hosted a demonstration and tasting of molecular gelato frozen with liquid nitrogen at -192 degrees Celsius. Sounds amazing? It was!!

We arrived at Scoop at about 3pm (we had to leave the pub in the middle of the British Lions vs. South Africa rugby match – Cas was quite torn by the decision), and were just in time to witness the owner make chocolate gelato with liquid nitrogen. Just when we thought the taste of the regular Scoop gelato was beyond any words, the gelato made with liquid nitrogen totally kicks the butt of the regular gelato!

The owner explained why using liquid nitrogen is so different from using conventional methods of making gelato. Making gelato with the regular ice cream maker takes about 10-12 minutes per batch. However, using liquid nitrogen, the process takes only two minutes! Due to the rapid freezing, the crystal grains are smaller, giving the gelato a creamier texture, and allowing one to get the same texture by using less milkfat (or even better texture by using the same amount!). However, such ice crystals will grow very quickly via the processes of recrystallization thus eliminating the original benefits unless steps are taken to inhibit ice crystal growth. Translation? Enjoy right away!

We even had the pleasure of going back to Scoop a second time. It wasn’t our fault! We went back to the rugby match at the pub, and told a friend of ours just how crazy good the liquid nitrogen gelato was, and she wanted us to take her there to try it for herself! So we took her to Scoop, and upon trying her first spoonful, she said, and we quote, “I could die happy right now!”

When we went back to Scoop the second time, the owner was making pistachio gelato with liquid nitrogen! It was SO SO YUMMY! Cas described it as like eating a handful of pistachios and then drinking a gallon of cream...but way better! Mmm...SO GOOD!!

This was truly an unforgettable experience! We can't wait until next year!