When summer arrives, ice cream becomes a beloved treat. This frozen dessert, typically made with milk, sugar, and flavors like syrup or fresh fruit, not only delights the taste buds but also provides relief from the scorching heat. However, concerns about preservatives and adulterants in frozen foods often make people hesitant to enjoy ice cream. While major brands and their flavors are well-known, a quaint ice cream shop in Ahmedabad has been offering preservative-free ice cream since 1986. Read on to learn more.
A Quaint Ice Cream Brand Since 1986
According to a report by The Better India, an ice cream shop in Ahmedabad is run by 80-year-old Niranjana Desai, popularly known as Niruben. She has specialized in making preservative-free homemade ice cream, preparing fresh batches from scratch every day in her kitchen without using artificial flavors or preservatives. She started making ice cream out of love for friends, family, and neighbors. The city took notice and encouraged her to open a shop. Soon, she opened Niruben Icecream or Niru Baa Ice Cream (also known as Niruben Icecreamwala) with just five flavors.
What Makes These Ice Creams Special
Niruben's ice creams are not only free of preservatives but also made with just four simple ingredients: fresh milk, stevia, cream, and fruits or dry fruits. According to a report by Vibes of India, she started her ice cream venture in January 1986 from her home kitchen, preparing ice creams on a simple gas stove. Over four decades, her business evolved into a dedicated workspace equipped with a traditional furnace and a separate room exclusively for ice cream preparation.
According to a report by Economic Times, Amrit Bhai, a long-time employee associated with the family for over three decades, shared that Niruben's ice cream preparation still follows the traditional process. Instead of relying on large ice cream machines, her team prepares the base in a conventional setup using a massive kadhai placed over a large furnace to boil milk. The ice cream is then frozen in traditional wooden containers.
Raw Material and Flavors
Reports indicate that the raw materials—fresh milk and cream—are sourced from a local dairy, and fresh batches of ice cream are prepared daily. What started as a humble business with limited flavors, including rose coconut, variyali, chocolate, badam pista kesar, and kesar elaichi, has now expanded to 27 varieties, including lemon and ginger. Since the ice creams are preservative-free, their shelf life is only seven days.
What This Teaches Us
In an era where adulteration and preservatives help market players maximize profits, Niruben's honesty toward her passion and customers serves as a lesson for those planning to turn their passion into a profession. Her dedication and sincerity teach us that age is just a number, and if you are willing to work, there is always a way.
