A shop in Kanazawa, Japan is currently making headlines for its gilded ice cream cones. The city already has a reputation for producing gold leaf and has been known to use it in everything from art to coffee grounds. Now consumers can enjoy the luxurious ingredient in the form of a delicious warm-weather treat.
The gilded ice cones come from a shop called Hakuichi and they consist of soft-serve ice cream covered in a thin sheet of gold leaf. Although the golden dessert looks expensive, a single cone only costs about $8. Of course, it is worth nothing that the gold leaf is essentially tasteless, making the topping more of a decorative addition than a way to elevate the taste of the ice cream.
The popularity of the new dessert demonstrates the ongoing obsession with Instagrammable food and photo-worthy dishes.
Gilded Ice Cream Cones
This Japanese Treat Consists of Soft-Serve Ice Cream Wrapped in Gold Leaf
Trend Themes
1. Luxury Food - Businesses could leverage luxury ingredients to add value and increase branding opportunities for Instagrammable foods.
2. Edible Decor - Incorporating decorative, edible toppings creates a unique and visually appealing culinary experience, especially for desserts.
3. Gold Leaf - Gold leaf could be used in various food products to add a luxurious finish that can also attract consumers who value the visual presentation of their food.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can explore incorporating luxury ingredients and edible decorations to create visually appealing dishes for social media marketing.
2. Art and Craft - The art and craft industry could develop edible gold leaf products to expand their offerings and provide a new market for food-grade gold leaf.
3. Tourism and Hospitality - Hotels and restaurants can leverage trend-driven desserts to attract social media-savvy guests and foster a unique brand image through their Instagrammable menu offerings.