The Trend That Took Over the Internet
If your social media feeds are suddenly filled with people drizzling golden-green liquid over their dessert, you're not alone. The combination of vanilla ice cream, extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt has become a viral sensation.
While it might seem like a brand-new, strange idea, it has deep roots in Italian cuisine, where it's sometimes known as 'gelato con olio e sale'. The trend's recent explosion can be credited to pop star Dua Lipa, who mentioned it was her favourite way to eat ice cream in an interview. Her offhand comment sent food lovers and curious onlookers rushing to their kitchens, turning a relatively niche treat into a global phenomenon. Almost overnight, influencers and home cooks were trying the trio, with most reporting back with a single, unified verdict: it’s shockingly delicious.
Why This Bizarre Combination Just Works
At first, the idea of oil on ice cream can be off-putting. But from a culinary standpoint, it makes perfect sense. The magic lies in the interplay of fat, flavour, and texture. Ice cream is sweet and creamy, while a good quality extra virgin olive oil brings its own set of fruity, grassy, and sometimes peppery notes. This savoury complexity cuts through the ice cream's sweetness, preventing it from being one-dimensional. The fat in the olive oil also enhances the mouthfeel, making the ice cream seem even richer and more luxurious. Then comes the final touch: flaky sea salt. That small pinch doesn't just add a delightful crunch; it acts as a flavour enhancer, making both the sweet vanilla and the savoury olive oil pop. The result is a balanced, sophisticated dessert that hits multiple notes—sweet, salty, and savoury—all in one spoonful.
How to Make It Perfectly at Home
The beauty of this hack is its simplicity. There are no complicated steps, but the quality of your ingredients is everything. To try it yourself, you only need three things: a good quality vanilla ice cream, a robust extra virgin olive oil, and flaky sea salt. Start with two generous scoops of your favourite vanilla ice cream in a bowl. Choose an ice cream that is rich and creamy to provide the best base. Next, drizzle about one to two teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil over the top. Don't drown it; you just want a light coating. It’s recommended to use a high-quality, fruity or grassy olive oil for the best flavour profile. Finally, sprinkle a small pinch of flaky sea salt over everything. Regular table salt won't provide the same texture or burst of flavour. Some people also like to add a bit of lemon zest for freshness or toasted nuts for extra crunch.
The Verdict: Should You Believe the Hype?
After countless videos and rave reviews, the question remains: is it actually good? The overwhelming consensus is yes. While a few find the combination strange, the vast majority who try it become converts. The key is managing expectations. It doesn't taste like a typical sweet-on-sweet dessert topping. Instead, it transforms the ice cream into something more complex and gourmet. It tastes intentional and refined, like a dessert you might be served at a high-end restaurant. The slight bitterness of the oil, the punch of salt, and the cold sweetness of the ice cream create a flavour journey in each bite. It’s an adult dessert, one that proves that the most unexpected pairings can often be the most rewarding. If you're an adventurous eater looking to elevate a simple scoop of ice cream, this viral hack is absolutely worth trying. You might just find yourself, like Dua Lipa, bringing others to the 'dark side'.
