Spring is coming and with it the streets are flooded with flowers. One of the most prominent, the violet; and especially in Madrid. What is more typical in the Spanish capital than the famous candies with the flavor of this flower? Well, during these dates when the heat is already beginning to appear and what you want is to eat something fresh, the violet ice cream. And the truth is that not only in Madrid, but wherever there is this type of flowers -that is, in many parts of Europe, as we will see later-. A bite with a very particular spring flavor that leaves no one indifferent. Still you have not tried?
Violet ice cream in Europe
It is true that, although violet candies are the sweets par excellence of Madrid, violet ice cream it is not strictly typical of the Spanish city. In fact, England enjoyed its moment of popularity in Victorian times. Also that, already in the eighteenth century, this dessert was eaten in Vienna and that the same empress sissi she was a great admirer of it. And, of course, in France; more specifically in Toulouse. The Gallic town has turned the violet into its emblem; The uses they give to the flower are infinite: from cosmetics to gastronomy.
It is said that the violet reached Toulouse Back in the year 1854: a soldier brought it with him in the form of a bouquet, as a gift for his beloved. Since then, its use has only grown into what it is today: a symbol from the city. That is why it is not surprising that they pay their particular tribute to this flower in the form of ice cream. Bello & Angeli, one of the main establishments of the place dedicated to pastries, worship him with their artisan violet ice cream.
Where to try violet ice cream?
To tell the truth, finding places where you can taste a good violet ice cream in Madrid it is, at times, a complicated task. It is an unusual flavor - even taking into account the popularity of sweets in the city - however, we are going to discover some places that you can visit to try this unique ice cream. In the ice cream shop Sienna you can find it; yes, only among their seasonal ice creams. However, you can also find it in other types of establishments and as part of more elaborate desserts.
This is the case Hyatt Centric Gran Vía hotel, In which the violet ice cream It is presented next to a cheese cake with friesian from Aranjuez and crumble. Or from the restaurant Pristine, which calls his creation "Violeta y su caramel". Another emblematic site for the history behind it is the Commercial Coffee, which unites two traditional dishes: violet with torrija -made with brioche bread-. Without a doubt, a dish that honors the authentic feeling of the place.
Great chefs have also winked at this flower and the endless possibilities it offers. jordi rock - pastry chef El Celler de Can Roca, Cocoa House y rocambolesc-, has in its ice cream parlor its particular coconut sorbet with violet that is inspired by the coconut and violet macaron and that is made with strawberry, honey rocks and violet clouds.
Dare to make it at home
Going to taste it in an ice cream parlor is fine, but what if you try to make it at home? The truth is that there are many different recipes to make the violet ice cream, but here we leave you the one of loleta, which accompanies its preparation with some photographs of the final result that will undoubtedly encourage you to get down to work in the kitchen.
El violet ice cream It is undoubtedly one that attracts attention; first because of its color -because we are not used to seeing ice cream of that purple-, and second for its flavor. That floral flavor, which reminds some of spring and others of childhood. Either way, what are you waiting for to try it?
