Across the subcontinent of South Asia, kulfi, a creamy, sweet, frozen dessert made in small batches by neighborhood street vendors, provides a refreshing way for consumers to cool off on a hot day. Made by slow-cooking milk with traditional ingredients such as saffron, rosewater and pistachio, the sweet treat is dense, creamy and slow melting.
Mansoor Ahmed, a first-generation American with family roots in Pakistan, is on a mission to bring his own spin on this product in the USA with the launch of Heritage Kulfi ice cream with South Asian flavors.
Growing up in New York, Ahmed experienced the best of both worlds – the tradition of South Asian cuisine, imparted by his parents who immigrated to the United States from Pakistan, and appreciation for American food favorites including ice cream. He became passionate about combining the two and honoring the ingredients of his ethnic roots in a new way. Instead of relying on flavor extracts, he used traditional recipes and cooking methods — carefully steeping whole Assam black tea leaves and sourcing high quality, premium saffron threads handpicked from crocus flowers.
Heritage Kulfi offers a luxurious take on classic ice cream with flavors, textures and aromas derived from saffron, rosewater, pistachio, cardamom chai, alphonso mango, coconut, Earl Grey, vanilla bean, malai sweet cream and almond blossom.
Princeton, New Jersey-based Heritage Kulfi, founded by Ahmed in 2021, partners with regional farms to ensure premium flavor, the freshness of milk and cream, and reduction of the shipping footprint. All Heritage Kulfi’s ice creams are egg-free, halal, kosher, gluten-free, non-GMO and sweetened only with organic cane sugar.
“For so many South Asians kulfi is part of treasured memories of home, but it’s not something so easy to find here in the United States,” said Ahmed. “I wanted to connect with my heritage and also reach those flavor-obsessed consumers who love exploring international cultures through food.”
Heritage Kulfi ice cream pints are sold at select Whole Foods Markets, Fresh Direct, Town & Country Markets, and in independent and specialty stores in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.
