An expert's advice on the optimal way to eat ice cream from a tub has sparked discussion and disagreement online. Roz Kaldor-Aroni, founder of the Australian ice cream brand Elato, suggests that ice cream should be consumed from the outside edges inward.
Kaldor-Aroni explained in a video that this method prevents melted ice cream from refreezing and developing a coarse, grainy texture. When ice cream melts, the air bubbles it contains escape. As the water content refreezes, it forms larger ice crystals, altering the smooth texture. The edges of the ice cream in a tub are most susceptible to melting because they are in direct contact with the container.
The tip gained traction on social media during a period of unusually hot weather in Britain. One widely shared post featured a picture of an ice cream tub where the user, Kelley Priest of Oxford, had eaten around the sides, leaving a ball of ice cream in the center. Priest humorously described herself as an "ice-cream psychopath" for her unconventional method, prompting a variety of reactions.
Responses on social media ranged from agreement, with some users calling it the "correct way" or the "path of least resistance," to outright disagreement. One commenter stated their preference for eating in layers, ensuring the surface is completely flat before proceeding deeper. Another user expressed strong disapproval, calling anyone who eats directly from the tub, except for the last serving, a "monster."
While the expert recommends eating from the outside in to maintain texture, Ben & Jerry's, another ice cream brand, states that there is no "wrong" way to eat ice cream. However, they do offer a suggestion for optimal enjoyment: allowing the ice cream to soften for about 10 minutes after removing it from the freezer and warming the ice cream scoop under hot water before serving.