Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

Lychee Milk Tea Ice Pop

Camp | Greenville, S.C.

Lychee Milk Tea Ice Pop

Camp | Greenville, S.C.

By Mike Kostyo
July 17, 2024

By Mike Kostyo
July 17, 2024

Lindsay Beck

At Camp, a modern American concept with global influences, the dessert menu takes comforting, nostalgic desserts in new, unexpected directions: Its funnel cake is spiced with chai and served over buckwheat caramel, and its version of a Choco Taco features oatmeal cookie ice cream and pie crust streusel. For Lindsay Beck, pastry chef, a classic summer ice pop is another jumping-off point for creative flavor exploration, resulting in her Lychee Milk Tea Ice Pop.

For the base, Beck starts with milk-tea infused semifreddo, folding in sweet lychee purée for a tropical contrast. It’s then frozen in a fun ice-pop mold, and the resulting treat is dipped in a nostalgic white-chocolate shell, which is given a modern twist with green tea powder. When plated, the dessert is piped with coconut crémeux in a swirly, whimsical pattern, while coconut sponge adds soft texture. Raspberry crumb gives a tangy crunch factor, and raspberry sauce and edible flowers complete the striking, colorful build. “You have sweetness, an earthiness from the matcha, brightness from the raspberry, and the coconut brings everything together,” says Beck.

Read more Best of Flavor 2024

About the Author

mmMike Kostyo is the VP of Menu Matters. Mike has been a recurring guest on Fusion TV’s “The A.V. Club” show; has been featured on NBC News, CBS Radio and Gimlet Media’s “Why We Eat What We Eat” podcast; is regularly featured in newspapers and magazines; speaks at numerous conferences across the country; and was a judge on Food Network’s “Eating America.” For nearly 11 years, Mike was an associate director and trends expert at one of the industry's largest research firms. He has a master's in Gastronomy from Boston University, plus certificates in the culinary arts, baking arts, wine and artisan cheese production. [email protected]

About The Author

Mike Kostyo

Mike Kostyo is the VP of Menu Matters. Mike has been a recurring guest on Fusion TV’s “The A.V. Club” show; has been featured on NBC News, CBS Radio and Gimlet Media’s “Why We Eat What We Eat” podcast; is regularly featured in newspapers and magazines; speaks at numerous conferences across the country; and was a judge on Food Network’s “Eating America.” For nearly 11 years, Mike was an associate director and trends expert at one of the industry's largest research firms. He has a master's in Gastronomy from Boston University, plus certificates in the culinary arts, baking arts, wine and artisan cheese production. [email protected]