An Unlikely, Elegant Pairing
At first glance, the combination of olive oil and ice cream seems strange. One is a pantry staple for savoury cooking, the other a quintessential dessert. Yet, this pairing is taking the culinary world by storm. The trend, in its most popular form, involves
drizzling high-quality extra virgin olive oil over a scoop of good vanilla ice cream and finishing it with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The result is a sophisticated dessert that balances sweet, salty, and fruity notes with a uniquely velvety texture. While it may feel new thanks to celebrity endorsements from stars like Dua Lipa and viral TikTok videos, this combination has deep roots in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in Italy, where 'gelato con olio e sale' has been enjoyed for years.
Why the Combination Just Works
The magic of olive oil ice cream lies in the science of flavour and texture. Fat carries flavour, and when you combine the dairy fat of ice cream with the plant-based fat of olive oil, they don't compete; they complement each other. The creamy, sweet base of the ice cream provides a perfect canvas for the complex notes of a good olive oil, which can range from grassy and peppery to fruity and floral. This contrast cuts through the sweetness, preventing the dessert from being one-dimensional. Texturally, something fascinating happens: when the room-temperature oil hits the cold ice cream, it thickens slightly, creating a silky, luxurious coating that melts in your mouth, enhancing the overall experience.
The ‘Aesthetic’ Factor
A huge part of this trend's appeal is its undeniable visual allure. In an age of Instagram and TikTok, food has to look as good as it tastes, and olive oil ice cream is incredibly photogenic. The simple act of pouring a stream of golden-green olive oil over pale vanilla ice cream creates a beautiful contrast. Served in a coupe glass or a simple bowl, the glistening drizzle and the delicate sparkle of sea salt flakes make for a minimalist yet stunning presentation. It looks expensive, elegant, and intentional—the holy trinity for any food aspiring to go viral. This visual appeal is a major reason why it has moved from fine-dining menus to social media feeds around the globe.
The Artisanal Difference
The term 'artisanal' is key here, as not just any olive oil will do. The success of this dessert depends almost entirely on the quality of the oil. This isn't the time for your everyday cooking oil. The trend calls for a high-quality, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, preferably one with a robust and distinct flavour profile. Many artisanal ice cream shops that feature this flavour, like Salt & Straw, are specific about the type of olive they use, such as the Spanish Arbequina, known for its delicate, grassy notes. This emphasis on quality ingredients—from the small-batch ice cream to the single-origin olive oil—is what elevates it from a simple novelty to a true gourmet experience.
How to Try It at Home
The beauty of this trend is its accessibility. While some recipes involve churning olive oil directly into the ice cream base, the easiest way to experience it requires no special equipment. Simply take a scoop of your favourite high-quality vanilla ice cream, place it in a bowl, and generously drizzle it with a good extra virgin olive oil. Don't be shy with the pour. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt, like Maldon or fleur de sel, which adds a delightful crunch and enhances all the flavours. For a different twist, you can experiment with citrus-infused olive oils or pair different oils with other ice cream flavours like chocolate, pistachio, or strawberry.
