January 3, 2013

Europe in a Cone

Carpigiani has been a household name in European ice cream markets as one of the top notched ice cream machine makers in Europe and in the world.  The name spells quality, making every ice cream produced by their machine seratonin-releasing, aside from being tasty.

In Bohol, Carpigiani is not a machine but an ice cream itself — ice creams that are authentic to the European origin of the name it bears but within the budget of everyone.

Introducing Carpigiani Ice Cream, an ice cream stand located in front of the Department Store entrance at the second floor of the Bohol Quality Mall.  Despite operating only for almost three months now, Carpigiani has amassed a good deal of return customers.  And who wouldn't when European ice cream could be so tasty yet budget-friendly?

Carpigiani is the brainchild of Czech Vilmos Zolcer and his Filipina partner, Jelow Toledo.  Mr. Zolcer, who happens to own an ice cream parlor in his home country Czech Republic, which, by the way, is one of the most notable in his place, was the one behind the idea of introducing European ice cream to the Boholano market.

Carpigiani started operating May 15 this year at the Tagbilaran City Square but despite the good sales, they have to close their stand months after their opening since Mr. Zolcer and Maam Jelow are going to the former's place for vacation.  But that was not the end of the world for all ice cream aficionados though since Carpigiani was made available again in the market during their opening last November 2 at BQ Mall.

In an interview with Maam Jelow, she said that the Italian ingredients that makes Carpigiani is what also makes their ice cream special.  But aside from what she said, no one could deny Carpigiani Ice Cream is way cheaper compared to other ice cream parlors that offer Italian or European ice cream.

During the interview, me and my photographer for the day Sarah had a chance to taste ALL Carpigiani Ice Cream flavors. And so here is a review as to how each flavor tasted.

Their chocolate ice cream is heavenly. It has a lingering cocoa flavor that you don't really taste from others.  It's not really a guilt-inducing concoction and not the type of chocolate ice cream that will cause diabetes since it just got the right sweetness but with the same feel-good chocolate flavor we love.

The Vanilla flavor is a treat! The flavor is very subtle, the sweetness is not intense, yet it melts in your mouth. Sarah even says that it taste like Selecta Java Ice Cream.

The Taro (Ube) flavor is a hit.  It has a very authentic taro flavor that is very yummy. And I don't even know if there is something wrong with my taste buds but the ice cream has a tinge of strawberry. If the ice cream is purely ube or really has a hint of strawberry, the flavor is undeniably delicious.

The three other flavors which were derived from fruits were never less than a blast.  The Banana, Strawberry, and Mango flavors were totally authentic to the flavors of their origin.  The Banana flavor does have the same banana sweetness that we enjoy. Sarah hints that it tastes like lakatan. The Strawberry flavor does taste like strawberries but with a kick. I just couldn't pinpoint as to what makes the strawberry flavor kicking but rest assured, it's not the same strawberry flavor that you taste in other brands.  The Mango flavor, which is Maam Jelow's personal favorite is creamy and is just as sweet as ripe mangoes.  It even smell like mango, a perfect buy for the summer.

Maam Jelow and Mr. Zolcer plans to open another stall, hopefully, in Island City Mall. A seventh flavor might also be coming.  We were lucky enough to taste one of the prospect additions and it was a complete surprise to taste an ice cream of such flavor.  Scour the market and it's a rare find.  I don't even know if there really is.  The flavor was certainly very tasty.

It is a complete delight to get a dose of ice cream that is foreign yet affordable and which flavors are true to it's origin.  Truly, you get an uplifting treat out of your P10 to P25 as you get served with Europe in a cone....or in a cup.


I would love to extend my sincerest thank you to Maam Jelow Toledo
 for granting me this feature.  I would also like to thank Sarah Jane Gaso
for being my photographer for that day.

I would also like to apologize that there are no photos for this blogpost
because the photos were corrupted. I sincerely apologize.  I will update this entry
as soon as I get the chance to take another set of photos.

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