Turmeric. That’s the flavour that Consumer Trend Reports tells us will surge in popularity on 2020 menus.

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One place you can be sure to find a host of 2020 flavours? La Casa Gelato. You’ll find turmeric in their Nut Kufi and Akbar Mashti gelatos.

This pink house of freshness boasts homemade waffle cones and 238 flavours on site at any time, a 2019 Guinness World Record. Over 36 years in business, Owner Vince Misceo and his family have made 588 flavours. This isn’t about 50 shades of vanilla. You’ll find pear gorgonzola and blue cheese gelato, chocolate chili, coconut red rice, peanut butter bacon, curry, dandelion, basil, pernod and balsamic vinegar.

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Some sensation seekers are brave enough for wasabi, purple yam or durian gelato. The more traditional might try blue bubblegum, vanilla butterfinger or lemon meringue. The lactose intolerant might choose the lemon champagne with edible rose petals sorbet. My weakness is Chocolate Grand Marnier in a waffle cone. It is a smooth gelato with a deep chocolate orange brandy zing. To celebrate their recent Guinness World Record, La Casa Gelato created a Dom Perignon champagne with gold flakes with proceeds marked for BC Children’s Hospital.

Misceo has stayed strong in an industry that is full of fits and starts. More than thirty years ago, Vince quit a tedious factory job on impulse and started his ice cream business in a basement on 18th and Commercial. “That’s it. I had enough. I’m not punching the card in no more, in and out, in and out…” In 1994, Casa Gelato moved to the Venables location with 40 flavours on hand.

These days, Vince is still willing to take creative risks on the unusual flavour requests of customers. The turmeric-rich Akbar Mashti came at the request of a customer. So too Vegemite, and the less than successful Bagoong. If you bring new flavour suggestions to Misceo, he might just concoct a batch for your next visit.

Check out the irrepressible Vince in this clip: “I want to create more. I want to do more.” You’ll spy the beautifully red-haired Cherry – Pina ‘Cherry’ Misceo’, Vince’s wife –  working hard and greeting customers in this 2013 video. Sadly, Cherry passed away last December, but her spirit lives alongside Vince in this always trend-setting, delicious house of gelato.

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Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com

Header Photo: Pratiksha Mohanty