Chilled out

Stella takes a lick of the peanut butter-banana pet ice cream

Ever heard of monk fruit? No? Well, neither had we till a few days ago. Given our well-nurtured disdain for processed sugar, we thought that we had seen it all as far as sugar substitutes were concerned. From aspartame to stevia, we've tried them all.

Blueberry frozen yoghurt

So, we are pleasantly surprised to discover the aforementioned fruit of the gourd family, also known as louhan gou, as the latest sugar substitute on a visit to Crèmeyum Creamery. This new Worli-based gelateria prefers to take the all-natural path when it comes to its wide range of gelatos, sorbets and frozen yoghurts. All are priced at Rs 170 per double scoop and available in 500 ml and 1,000 ml tubs, too.

Here, monk fruit ‘sugar' that is said to be 250 times sweeter than processed sugar replaces the latter in gelatos like the creamy strawberry shortcake that is the smoothest gelato we've ever tried. And it rivals the ones we've tasted in Italy. The blueberry frozen yoghurt is a tart burst of both real berries and the tangy yoghurt, as is the lemon cheesecake gelato that satisfies all our Amalfi lemon cravings.

Chilli guava sorbet

We also fall for a few gelato cliches like the salted caramel and pistachio duo that makes for messy satisfaction. After a quick sampling, we immediately pack up a 500 ml tub of another gelato flavour must-have i.e Ferrero Rocher (Rs 850) for a Netflix-and-chill evening later on.

We are informed that every flavour of gelato can also be made on prior notice with plant-based milks like coconut, almond and oat milk. We scoop up some of the coconut milk pina colada gelato (topped with pineapple compote) that's available, and we aren't disappointed.

The gelateria's 500 ml tub pack

Moving on to a lighter pick, we try the sorbets. We plumb for the naturally flavoured and coloured foursome of chilli guava, mango, pink dragon fruit and the brightest purple and mouth-puckeringly delicious kala jamun. All four offer a refreshing burst of flavour with a creamy, ice crystal-free mouth-feel.

In what is a first for us in a food review, we coax Stella, our two-year-old shih tzu, to help us review the gelateria's range of coconut milk-based, sugar-free, pet-friendly frozen treats that are named Zoobie's Delight, after the owner's labrador. Stella's treat of the banana and peanut butter pet ice cream (R300 for 285 ml) is devoured with manic gusto - both by her and the ‘hooman' too.

At: Cremeyum Creamery, 81 New Pathan Chawl, next to Four Seasons Hotel, Dr E Moses Road, Worli.
Time: 10.30 am to 7 pm
Call: 8591562711
Delivery: Swiggy, Zomato and WeFast
Log on to: @cremeyumcreamery on Instagram