VISITORS to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh can now tuck in to flower flavoured ice-cream.
Experts at the Garden’s catering partner Sodexo Prestige worked with Scotland’s best known ice cream lab to invent rose, jasmine and lavender flavoured ices.
Made by Mackie’s of Scotland, the treats will be on sale exclusively to visitors to the Edinburgh Botanics, until the end of the summer.
The delicate flavours were developed by a 12-strong team in Macke’s product development kitchen on Westertown farm, Aberdeenshire.
They came out ahead of other unusual alternatives including heather and chamomile.
Paul Mitchell, Catering Services Director at RBGE for Sodexo Prestige, said: “We are excited by this, because nothing says ‘summer’ better than a scoop of ice cream in the sunshine at the Botanics.
“These three gorgeous flavours really do capture the essence of what is so special about a beautiful summer garden and are easy to enjoy whatever the weather.
Kirstin Mackie, Development Director with Mackie’s said: “We’re delighted, because the cream in ice cream can actually mask such subtle flavours, which makes it rather tricky to pull off.
“Normally flavours like this might be more at home in a sorbet.
“What is particularly lovely about the new floral ice cream experience is that they also have a floral aroma.
”All in all we’re very proud of the results and really hope these flavours will help make an even more memorable summer experience for visitors to the Botanics.”
Fiona Richmond, Project Manager at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “These products are very much in line with the ethos of the Year of Food and Drink to celebrate Scotland’s fantastic natural larder and encourage people to discover the quality and variety of Scottish produce.”
All three flavours are now on sale at the RBGE ice cream kiosk on the decked area of the John Hope Gateway Visitor Centre.
