Strange But True: Drizzling Olive Oil on Your Ice Cream Makes it Extra Delicious

When it comes to sweet treats, ice cream is a universal favorite. No matter the season, the creamy cold stuff always hits the spot. Personally, I’m a fan of the simpler things, and tend to favor a cup of vanilla or chocolate. Recently, however, I stumbled on a weird but true food secret that I just had to share: drizzling olive oil over ice cream makes it even more delicious.

Olive Oil On Ice Cream — Why It Works

Why fix something that isn’t broken? Well, this little trick will enhance your dessert in the best way possible. It may sound a bit strange, but adding a bit of olive oil along with some flaked sea salt (optional) on ice cream isn’t an idea I came up with on my own. Expert foodies everywhere have been doing it for years.

Olive oil makes the perfect topping for ice cream because it’s savory, which makes it the perfect contrast to a sweet scoop of ice cream. And since olive oil is a fat, it also adds richness and decadence.

I’ll admit that I thought this trick was more than a little weird. (I’m not big on mixing savory and sweet tastes when it comes to desserts.) But after trying it with some chocolate ice cream I see why it’s so popular. The richness of the oil makes the ice cream taste like a fancier dessert, similar to Italian gelato.

The key to doing it right is using a high-quality oil. These tend to have a more potent, aromatic flavor. Generally, high-quality oils will cost a little more at the grocery store, and they typically come in a dark bottle, which keeps light out and prevents the oil from oxidizing and changing flavor. You can also purchase extra virgin olive oil online. We love this one from Oilala (Buy on Amazon, $29.99).

Just as well, sticking to the basics is better when it comes to flavors. Opt for plain vanilla or chocolate ice cream, drizzle about a teaspoon of your olive oil over top, and finish with a light sprinkling of sea salt (to taste), which helps to bring the flavors together. I definitely preferred the ice cream with salt combination.

So the next time you reach for the ice cream, pull out some olive oil and sea salt, too. Trust me: You’ll be glad you did.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, First For Women.

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