There's been a bit of a trend towards savoury ice cream flavours as of late: think Island Gelato Co's world-first upcycled kūmara gelato, or the fish-flavoured ice cream from Auckland's Fugitoto, which has proved - perhaps unexpectedly - incredibly popular.
Now Aotearoa's oldest ice cream parlour, Rush Munro's Ice Creamery, is launching new, limited-edition savoury flavours that hope to capture the taste of Kiwi summer.
The Hastings-based parlour has created four bespoke flavours, each representing a popular summer pastime in the Hawke's Bay: from cycling the region's beautiful trails to enjoying fish and chips on the beach, cooking locally sourced lamb on the barbie, or indulging in cheese and a tasty drop at a winery on a sunny day.
Each flavour has been developed in partnership with Hawke's Bay Tourism in a bid to boost visitor numbers over the holiday season - serving a tasty reminder to out-of-towners about what the region has to offer.
The savoury concoctions will be available for one month only, with a new flavour being rolled out each week - and for one week only - beginning December 13.
"We have created four bespoke flavours from Hawke's Bay, for Hawke's Bay and for our visitors, using some of our favourite local producers, from cheese to lamb - this is a taste of Hawke's Bay like never before," said CEO of Rush Munro's, Vaughan Currie.
So, what can we expect from the flavours?
The first flavour, Pedal the Cycleways, is a wildflower ice cream with Gimblett Gravels white chocolate biscuit, strawberry and Syrah sauce, and fresh lavender and borage flower garnish.
"Pedal the Cycleways encapsulates the thrill of a ride as you explore Hawke's Bay's 200km of cycle trails. Hear the Gimblett Gravels crunch under your wheels and see the wildflowers of Roy's Hill burst with colour. Each pedal brings you closer to the sun-drenched vineyards where you'll enjoy some of the world's finest red wine," a description reads.
The next flavour, Farm-to-Plate Excellence, is designed to evoke the "buzzing atmosphere of Hawke's Bay's farm-to-table dining scene".
"The vibrant hum of conversation mingles with the clink of cutlery, and each bite bursts with the area's freshest flavours, created by passionate culinary talent."
Farm-to-Plate Excellent consists of lamb and mint ice cream, topped with chocolate and Merlot sauce and garnished with pea and white chocolate macaron and fresh mint.
Meanwhile, Peak-Top Picnic was created to embody the experience of sunset picnicking at Te Mata Peak, Rush Munro's says, with the flavours of Manchego, honey and fig complemented with a garnish of Craggy Range Manchego and walnut crumb.
"Unpack the perfect picnic with Hawke's Bays finest cheese and an array of artisanal accompaniments. As you indulge, let the panoramic vistas unfold around you, a feast for the senses."
Last but not least, the Relish in the Coastline ice cream is a culinary representation of the region's famed 350km of coastline. "From strolling along the seafront promenade, soaking in the ocean views or taking a mid-summer dip, cap off the perfect day with the freshest fish and chips on the beach, with a serving of sand between your toes."
The "fish and chips" ice cream is topped with a white chocolate 'snapper', coated in Chardonnay-and-peach edible sand, as well as a chocolate-coated potato chip.
The limited-edition flavours are available at Rush Munro's from December 13, and at the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market on Sunday, December 17.
