Review: Sassi Icecream

(Reviewed by John Glennie)

We were invited to try this delightful product from their pop-up stall in the Adelaide Central Market. Unfortunately, Saturday 19^th October is their last day at that location. However, watch out for them at upcoming events:

• Vegan Festival in Rundle Park on 26^th and 27^th October
• Bowerbird Market at the Adelaide Showgrounds from 1^st – 3^rd November

Sassi is the creation of Huda and Adam. If you are followers of MasterChef Australia then you will probably recognise Huda’s name from this year’s series. Their ice-cream is dairy free, gluten free, vegan and made in South Australia – and the Middle Eastern influenced flavours are to die for! Just look at these for taste-tempters, which I have copied from their flyer and poster (because they warrant it!):

• Baklawa Cream – A taste of the ultimate world’s famous pastry dessert combined with ground pistachio and delicate honey dates from the ancient lands.
• Saffron Fever – crushed roasted almonds elegantly mixed with infusion of the finest Persian golden saffron threads.
• Katayek – cinnamon -bang crumbled walnuts elevated with a note of orange blossom.
• Sage with Pomegranate Swirl – a flavoursome combination of the goodness of infused sage and the sauce of pomegranate jewels.
• Tahini Twist – sesame paste swirls enticed flavour sweetened with delicate honey dates from the ancient lands.
• Mastic Addict – a flavour inspired by the amazing and magical mastic resins mixed with roasted pistachio.
• Muhallabia – a Medieval classic flavour bursting with floral essences and notes of delicate spices.

We sampled all the flavours and it was certainly hard to pick a favourite. Tony had a cone with Baklawa Cream and Sage with Pomegranate Swirl while I had a cup with Mastic Addict and Muhallabia. These are desserts on their own and not “just icecream”! Apart from the vegan, dairy-free and so on plus totally unique flavours, the icecream is also not too sweet – unlike many over-sugared varieties on the market.

As Adam explained, they rely on the herbs nuts and spices to bring out the flavours instead of relying on sugar. The vegan and dairy-free aspects are a bonus as they did not set out to target those areas, they are targeting health and only use organic ingredients.Huda and Adam are hoping to set up a permanent location, and I am sure it will be a success once they find the right spot. In the meantime, watch out for the Sassi pop-up cart and stop, taste, then buy – you will not regret it.