Summer Special Article : Lets eat Ice Candy also known as a Popsicle : Sanjeev Sabade

 

(Article is written by wellknown Sr. Journalist Sanjeev Sabade)

Nowadays, when we think of ice cream, the cold, creamy treat in a cup or cone immediately comes to mind. Today, there are so many brands and varieties of ice cream available that it’s hard to keep track. You can find Flavors like chili, lemon-ginger, mango, guava, jamun, watermelon, banana, strawberry, lychee, and more. Additionally, there are flavors like chocolate, Belgian chocolate, pistachio, and countless others that are made, sold, and enjoyed.

When a family of four or friends visits a ice cream parlor, everyone wants something different. Sometimes, they deliberately order four different flavors so everyone can taste all of them. The way Turkish ice cream is served is also quite entertaining. The ice cream is handed over in a cone, but while filling it, the customer is playfully teased. This playful trick often leaves kids in tears and adults feeling a bit uneasy, but it’s all part of the clever marketing charm.

As summer begins, the thought of ice cream naturally comes to mind. This year, summer started early, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in many parts of the country. Just as electricity demand rises with the summer heat, so does the demand for cold beverages and ice cream. With refrigerators now common in homes, making ice cream has become easy, and many households even make fresh fruit ice creams.

Eating ice cream isn’t a luxury anymore, but interestingly, people tend to eat more ice cream in the evenings than during the hot days. In Mumbai, people drink lemonade, kala khatta, watermelon juice, orange or mosambi juice, but ice cream is mostly enjoyed in the evening. It’s as if the indulgence is reserved for the evening.

A few years ago, when people thought of ice cream, colorful, cold, and icy candies came to mind, which were called ice fruits or ice candies, not just ice cream. These were known as popsicles, which weren’t even available in many places. Red, yellow, green, and orange-colored ice candies were quite popular. During school breaks, kids would buy ice candies for five or ten paise, slowly savoring them. If the colorful ice melted and dripped on their clothes, it was sure to get them scolded at home since the colors wouldn’t come off easily. Initially, flavors like lemon, orange, and rose (like rosewater) were common. Later, flavors like khus, kala khatta, mango, and grape were introduced. Vanilla popsicles also became available, but colorful ones remained more popular.

Interestingly, ice cream was invented by an 11-year-old American boy in 1911. One freezing winter night, he accidentally left his soda glass outside, and by morning, it had frozen into the shape of the glass. He realized that adding different colors and sugar to water made it taste better, leading to the creation of what we now know as popsicles.

Today, eating popsicles is back in fashion among young people. Ice cream carts are again seen around college campuses. Seeing these carts brings back childhood memories. The “Quality” ice cream carts are still around, and their popsicles are rich and dense, not like the watery, transparent ones of the past. The taste is excellent, and they start at around 20 rupees. They are available in many shops. Amul’s popsicles are also great, starting from 15 rupees. While Amul’s dairy products are very popular, their ice candies are not as well-known.

In Mumbai, there are many large and small companies making ice cream—almost 50 brands. Some are quite expensive, but there are also affordable and popular popsicle brands. For example, the Bombay Popsicle Company in Sion Railway Colony is famous. Their ice candies reach the eastern suburbs and Thane. They also make ice creams that are quite good. If you’re in that area, you should definitely try their ice candies. They have to be savored slowly, just like in childhood, and they make a distinct sound while eating.

In Malad, near In-Orbit Mall, Little Loko Pops offers delicious ice candies. People there often enjoy two or three at a time. In Kandarpada, the “Great Proteins” shop is known for its popular ice candies.

In Andheri, near the Gujarati Hall on New Link Road, there’s Bello Pops. In Goregaon’s Motilal Nagar, Bello Pops is also popular. They offer a variety of flavors like mango, grape, lemon, rose, orange, kiwi, guava, pineapple, black salt, and more.

In Navi Mumbai, the ice candies from Scoozzo Ice-O-Magic in Sector 29, Vashi, are outstanding. In Thane’s Charai, Silk Cream offers flavors like pani puri, cumin masala, lime mojito, pineapple mix, and more. In Dombivli, near the post office in the east, Arun Ice Cream’s Happy Daily shop offers various ice candy and ice bar options. However, I haven’t been there yet.

There are also local ice candy vendors in other areas. The type of ice candy sold in plastic bags was even called “Pepsi” ice, which is still available in many places today. During summer, apart from creamy ice creams, popsicles and Pepsi ice are also worth enjoying.

(Article is written by Sr. Journalist Sanjeev Sabade)