Would you try wood-flavoured ice cream? Picture: Justin Davies Instagram screenshot
In a world where flavour combinations are endlessly being explored, one food creator is pushing the boundaries of traditional desserts with a video that has left millions both intrigued and perplexed.
The latest culinary sensation? Wood-flavoured ice cream, specifically made using Western Redcedar, a coniferous tree commonly found in North America.
The digital creator, Justin Davies, whose Instagram post has amassed over 15 million views, begins the elaborate process by saying, “Back to boiling chunks of wood in a pot of cream because I cannot stop making wood-flavoured ice cream.”
This tongue-in-cheek introduction sets the tone for an experiment that balances on the edge of culinary genius and bizarre novelty.
Following the wood boiling, the process includes chopping, toasting, infusing, and straining the cedar to create a unique ice-cream base.
Davies elevates this unorthodox treat by employing a cold smoker to prepare cedar-smoked chocolate, which he then meticulously pours into silicone moulds shaped like Western Redcedar leaves and cones.
The final flourish involves churning the now-infusion-rich cream with the bespoke chocolate pieces, creating a visually stunning and flavourful bowl of ice cream, served with a wooden spoon and bowl crafted from the same Western Redcedar.
As he takes his first bite, his reaction is both unexpected and amusing: “Wow, kind of tastes like a sauna. That is wild! Really interesting, really good,” he exclaims, encouraging his followers to try their hand at making this eccentric delicacy.
However, this avant-garde dessert hasn't been without its critics. Social media users have flooded the comments section with a blend of sarcasm and genuine curiosity.
One quipped: “Bro, making ice cream for beavers,” while another chimed in with, “What flavour did you get? Table.”
Amidst the clever jests, some users offered constructive feedback. One suggested, “Instead of boiling the wood in the cream, try using a heated ultrasonic cleaner,” advocating for a method that more accurately mimics the flavour ageing found in barrel spirits.
Whether this unconventional dessert becomes a staple in artisanal ice cream shops remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain — this creator has effectively stirred up a storm in the culinary world.