Mumbai Food: Out-of-home Kulfi is a summer must-try

(Clockwise, from left) Meetha Paan, Kaju Anjeer, Malai Jaggery, Malai, Badam Thandai and (centre) Kesar Pista

For 56-year-old Usha Kesarwani, the love for an after-meal kulfi resulted in her turning entrepreneur and launching Pistascia. Started last year, the kulfi brand saw the Panvel resident pick up tips from her mother-in-law where she'd churn kulfi at home. Business soon picked up, and now she runs a facility in Panvel where kulfis are handmade under Kesarwani's supervision, with some help from her husband Umesh.

(Clockwise, from left) Meetha Paan, Kaju Anjeer, Malai Jaggery, Malai, Badam Thandai and (centre) Kesar Pista

Natural coolness
The kulfis have no preservatives and come in flavours that vary from Gulkand, Meetha Paan, Jaggery Malai to Kaju Anjeer. While you can order these cold wonders packed in traditional matkas, online on TGFC and Stappu, they are also available across 15 stores, ranging from Foodhall at Palladium to stores in Chembur, Neral, Breach Candy, Andheri and Goregaon.

Taste test
We tried six of Pistascia's 11 flavours. The matkas came neatly packed in a container with dry ice that kept the kulfi hard for a long time even on a scorching May afternoon. First, we scooped Jaggery Malai, the usual malai kulfi but with sweetness from jaggery. This option is perfect for those who don't like experimenting with flavours. The Kaju Anjeer kulfi was packed with dry fruits, the natural sweetness and seedy texture of dried figs accentuating the flavours. We love paan, so the Meeta Paan Kulfi was one of our favourites; the sweetness of gulkand and whiff of fennel added to the bliss.

Usha Kesarwani started Pistascia from her home in Panvel

Badam Thandai was another hit and a must-try. The regular Malai flavour is something you will find elsewhere too. The creaminess of the kulfi was good through all of our flavours and it didn't leave that weird sticky layer on our palate. Pistascia ticked several boxes on our list, from effective packaging to consistency. We are sure to call for it again.

Call: 9820287355
Log on tp: stappu.com and tgfc.co.in
Cost: Rs 120 each