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A white lab coat, a hair net and a pair of white Crocs may not be my style, but when Jennike Veronika, the cofounder of Vilo Gelato, asks you to put them on to enter an ice cream factory, you don’t ask questions.
From the moment I enter the doors, the magic is palpable: My very own Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, sans all the chocolate. A whiff of butter hits my nose, with a mix of fresh baked cookies and fresh fruits.
Jennike tells me they’re launching 16 new products and flavors, including tteokbokki and miso magic, teasing my taste buds.
Among those 16, four are collaborations with healthy brands.
“With these collaborations, we’re proving that healthy choices don’t have to be limiting or bland,” Jennika says.
She continues explaining, mentioning keywords like low sugar, low calorie and vegan, however, I am too enamored by the activities in the factory to really pay attention to the health benefits.
After all, this is the very factory that delivered tasty favorites such as Mango Peach, Mocha Almond Fudge and Apple Mint, not to mention some “out there” flavors like wasabi and asinan Bogor that might tickle your fancy.
But seeing the magic behind the pints is just part one of my research. For the next phase at home, I tried the four new collab flavors, along with the family-favorite mint chocolate, with my mother’s taste buds as reinforcement. These are my honest first impressions:
Matsu Berry (Vilo Gelato x Oat Daily)
As someone who has created a new personality around her lactose intolerance, a dairy-free gelato made from oat milk makes my heart sing.
My first scoop of this flavor hit me with a very strong matcha flavor. As I dug deeper into the cup, hints of strawberry emerged. I would say that in terms of flavor, the matcha overpowers any fruity tastes. I wished they blended more evenly, or at least had more splashes of strawberry.
Avocado Coffee (Vilo Gelato x Tropicana Slim)
I am the proud daughter of a diabetic father. So when I found out there is a new flavor made with Tropicana Slim’s instant coffee, I was eager to try.
What struck me the most was the creamy texture, which sets it apart from all the other flavors. For my mom, the avocado was the star of the show, but for me, it was the coffee. I would say that means it blended really well.
This also comes with a sweet surprise in the form of a chocolate near the bottom of the cup.
Cashew Craze (Vilo Gelato x Arummi)
This list has no particular order, but I must tell you that this cup didn’t last 24 hours in my freezer. One spoonful just wasn’t enough for me.
It was a little sweet, a little savory and oh so good. The texture was reminiscent of the classic rocky road, with visible Arummi cashews in each spoonful. If I were to pick a favorite, this would be the strongest contender.
It is also worth mentioning that my mom couldn’t be happier to discover a new way to sneak protein into her daughter’s diet.
Zesty Lean (Vilo Gelato x LIGHTmeal)
This one was a little harder to describe. First, it was a sorbet, so the rating system will have to be distinct from the others.
The blend of banana and strawberry was a refreshing delight, especially for someone who loves a bit of tartness. The lightness of the sorbet was a plus.
I was also told that it contains the LIGHTmeal Vinarmin, which makes the cup rich in antioxidants and diet-friendly in terms of calories. I’m not on a diet, but anything that keeps me young and healthy is always welcome.
When all is eaten and done, Vilo Gelato makes a fine proposition for my family, given our diet restrictions, and perhaps anyone else looking for strong flavors without the sugar overload.
If you ask my mom, she was already sold on the health benefits. But for me, being able to enjoy gelato without the stomachache that usually follows is already a major win.
