Ice cream tips from a Chief Ice Cream Flavour Instigator
Bandana Kaur of Churn in Singapore has a few ice cream tricks up her sleeve
Can’t decide which ice cream flavour to get?
You have a few options. First: Order a lot. Second: Order one, finish it, and then order another, until you’re satisfied.
Third: Go for something like Churn’s Ice Cream Flight, where you can have five scoops with waffle chips in one sitting.
You can have more, if you like. Churn (styled as CHURN°) is a cosy ice cream shop in Singapore under the retail, gourmet food and dessert brand Melvados, and they have around 100 ice cream flavours in rotation.
How can you even pick and keep track of them, as well as your favourites?
“It’s hard to pick a favourite,” admits Bandana Kaur, Melvados’ branding manager and Churn’s Chief Ice Cream Flavour Instigator. (If you could give yourself a title for your obsession with ice cream, this would be it.)
“But if I had to choose my last scoop ever, I would pick the Pistachio Almond.”
Speaking of ice cream obsessions, what’s it like to have one? As the Chief Ice Cream Flavour Instigator, she’s probably the best person to ask.
It’s simple. “We dream it, create it, eat it, share it, argue over it, use it as a truce bargain,” she says. “It’s our love language.”
In fact, it can get quite emotional. What kind of fun, unique or even extreme experiences has Bandana had with ice cream?
“Maybe not unique or extreme, but for me it’s a coming-together of our family, sharing a waffle and ice cream, and just chatting and laughing,” she recalls.
“In that moment, everything feels perfect in the world. And I got teary just saying that!”
What’s the farthest Bandana’s been to, just to get ice cream?
“It was in Boston on Valentine’s Day, and the weather was close to -30 C and snowing. I can’t remember why my friends and I thought it was a good idea, but it was absolute chaos, and absolutely worth it.”
Thankfully, she doesn’t have to go that far for ice cream these days.
“Churn’s flavours are inventive, our ingredients are honest, and our vibe is always one scoop ahead,” she says.
“And most importantly, we are 100 per cent made in Singapore.”
Another bonus? Their creative process for their ice cream. Wondering what it’s like?
“Honestly? By eating everything in sight and wondering, ‘Can this be ice cream?’”
Get ideas from Bandana and Churn for your next ice cream jaunt here.
Underrated ingredients for ice cream
Bandana: “Chilli.”
Best sides with ice cream
“Fries.”
Ideal ice cream-themed experience
“A collaboration with other local brands like bakers, musicians and artists for a night at Churn.”
Ice cream flavours you'd like to see in the near future
“More sweet-savoury flavours, like soy sauce.”
Your top 5 flavour choices for your own Ice Cream Flight at Churn
“Mao Shan Wang Durian, Pistachio Almond or Pistachio Chocolate Crunch, Salted Caramel with Almonds, Alfonso Mango and Kopi Peng.”
Tips for homemade ice cream
“Buy good ingredients!”
Common mistakes with ice cream and how to avoid them
“Make sure everything is cold, like your mixers and bowls and spoons, and turn up the air conditioning at full blast.”
Unusual ways to enjoy ice cream
“On crispy roti prata.” (Find the best roti prata places in Singapore.)
How to make your ice cream healthier
“Those words don’t go together.”
How to make your ice cream more sinful and indulgent
“Toppings! That’s why at Churn we have a free toppings bar.” (Get recipes for ice cream toppings if you want a lot of choices at home.)
The best two-flavour scoop combinations
“Espresso and Earl Grey Lavender on a gula melaka cone.”
Tips to experiment with ice cream
“Just be brave and try every flavour that comes to mind! Smoked salmon, anyone?”
Tips to “repurpose” ice cream
“We’re experimenting with reimagined milkshakes. Does that count?”
Churn is at 2 Yishun Walk, #01-05 HomeTeamNS Khatib, Singapore 767944. Check them out on Instagram.