Connoisseur releases new range of gourmet ice cream in Australia
Connoisseur, the creators of premium ice cream flavours such as Murray River Salted Caramel and Kangaroo Island Honey with Fig, have launched a new range of gourmet ice cream which it said were inspired by historical characters.
The Connoisseur ‘Empire Collection’ includes four unique flavour combinations inspired by four historical characters, each of whom had a connection to the origins of ice cream.
Inspired by Italy and Emperor Nero, Connoisseur said coffee hazelnut flavoured ice cream “has been taken to the next level” with its offering including the addition of chocolate coated hazelnuts and hazelnut liqueur sauce.
Inspired by King Louis XIV, the French vanilla flavoured ice cream has additional chocolate flakes and Armagnac sauce.
Taking inspiration from the east and the extravagant Emperor Jing Zong, red bean flavoured ice cream has been paired with coconut.
Inspired by King Cyrus of Persia, pistachio flavoured ice cream has been swirled with a sauce made from cinnamon, honey and dates.
These four flavours make up The Empire Collection, a range packed with the signature creaminess of Connoisseur ice cream and indulgent textural extras.
Connoisseur Head of Marketing, Emma-Jane Collins says the brand was conscious of keeping ice-cream lovers on their toes when it comes to flavour combinations.
“We are consistently striving to push the flavour boundaries and give our fans something new and exciting, something they may not have tasted before,” said Ms Collins. “The Empire Collection showcases four very decadent new flavours that will no doubt bring delight and surprise the palate,”she said.
With packaging designed by Melbourne-based artist Steve Cross, Connoisseur said its ‘Empire Collection’ tubs “bring the story of ice cream to life”. Each design, hand painted on canvas and then photographed, features icons and elements of each character’s life and achievements. Consumers looking closely at the tubs will see the coins which Emperor Nero used to bribe the judges at the Olympic games or the ceramic painted jars Emperor Jing Zong served his ice cream in.
“The flavours have been inspired by famous tastemakers from different empires: Emperor Nero, Emperor Jing Zong, King Cyrus of Persia and King Louis XIV. It’s a tale of four men, connected by ice cream and I really wanted to bring them to life through the packaging and design to create something truly unique,” Mr Cross said.
“These flavour combinations are distinctive and I was inspired both by the ingredients used and the historic figures with their rich back stories. It’s a great acknowledgment to history, bringing these legends alive today – a beautiful demonstration of the blending of two eras,” Mr Cross said.
In celebration of the new Connoisseur Empire Collection, Connoisseur, with the help of Steve Cross, will bring the four flavours and their inspirers to life at the Blank Space gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney, from Wednesday 17 September 2014 to Monday 22 September 2014 with The Empire Collection Pop-Up Gallery.
The Empire Collection is available now at Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and selected Independent retailers nationally for RRP$7.99 for a 470ml tub.
