Getting the showmen (read: vendor) to give you your Turkish ice cream cone is quite the task. Everybody has experienced this: trying to purchase Turkish ice cream and coming away with an empty cone.
It’s a sight too familiar, the vendor taunting the patrons with a dollop of chewy ice cream.
But one man was not going to be fooled, so he devised a plan of his own to outsmart the vendor. The man can be seen stealing a big scoop of the ice cream that is offered as part of the act in a video that has gone viral on social media.
The video starts with the vendor offering a cone to the man, which he gleefully accepts. The vendor is then seen removing a substantial scoop of ice cream in order to perform the customary trick.
But the vendor could hardly pull off a double-double before the nimble and cunning man pounced. The man gets hold of the large scoop with both his hands and runs away with it.
Screengrab/YouTube
The original 2-minute clip was amused by many people and received over 8 lakh views since it was shared online.
Turkish ice cream vendors are famous for serving ice cream with rituals. And that ritual is a prank.
Representational /istanbul.com
In Turkey, it’s customary for ice cream vendors to trick their customers by making them reach for a cone, then removing it and pulling another prank. According to the BBC, orchids are used to give the sticky ice cream a “gummy” texture that prevents spills when thrown around.
The ice cream prank was started in Kahramanmaraş, a city in Turkey. But now its popular in Istanbul.
The vendors present the ice cream cone on a stick, but as soon as a customer reaches for it, they remove it by spinning it, throwing it into the air, and making it vanish, and then they give it back to the customer.
This occasionally causes misunderstandings among visitors who are not familiar with the custom, but the show is entirely in favor of enjoyment and tradition. Most of the curious onlookers who attend the shows can enjoy their cones and laugh while observing the next customer.
Hey there, fellow travelers! If you’re planning a trip to Istanbul this summer, be sure to add Turkish ice cream to your must-try list It’s not just a delicious treat, but also a unique and entertaining experience thanks to the famous “ice cream tricks” performed by vendors.
What’s so special about Turkish ice cream?
Unlike regular ice cream, Turkish ice cream, also known as “dondurma,” is made with salep, a thickening agent derived from the root of a wild orchid This gives it a unique texture that’s both chewy and stretchy It also has a rich, creamy flavor that comes in a variety of traditional flavors like pistachio, rosewater, and chocolate.
The fun of the ice cream tricks:
But the real fun of Turkish ice cream lies in the tricks that vendors perform while serving it. These tricks are a tradition that dates back centuries and are meant to entertain customers while they wait for their treat.
Here are some of the most common tricks:
- The disappearing cone: The vendor will make it seem like the ice cream cone is about to fall off the cone, only to catch it at the last second.
- The switcheroo: The vendor will pretend to hand you the cone, but then quickly switch it with another object, leaving you empty-handed.
- The long stretch: The vendor will stretch the ice cream into a long, thin rope, teasing you with its length before finally handing you a small portion.
- The disappearing scoop: The vendor will make the ice cream scoop disappear into thin air, only to reappear in their hand or somewhere else entirely.
Where to find the best ice cream tricks in Istanbul:
While you’ll find ice cream vendors all over Istanbul, here are a few famous shops known for their entertaining tricks:
- Dondurmacı Ali Usta: Located in Kadikoy, this shop has been serving delicious ice cream and performing tricks since 1969.
- Mini Dondurma: This tiny shop in Bebek is known for its unique flavors and playful tricks.
- Dondurmacı Yaşar Usta: This classic ice cream shop in Bostanci uses fresh fruits and flavors and has been entertaining customers with their tricks since 1962.
- Mado: This popular chain has branches all over Turkey and is known for its delicious ice cream and fun tricks.
Tips for enjoying the ice cream tricks:
- Be patient and have fun! The tricks are all part of the experience.
- Don’t be afraid to laugh and play along with the vendor.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try to trick the vendor back!
More than just a treat:
Turkish ice cream is more than just a delicious dessert. It’s a cultural experience that combines tradition, entertainment, and of course, a sweet treat. So be sure to try it when you’re in Istanbul and enjoy the fun and laughter that comes with it!
Bonus:
For a visual treat, check out this YouTube video showcasing Turkish ice cream tricks: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UHI6aZIWW0M
Happy travels!
GoPro Awards: Turkish Ice Cream Tricks
FAQ
What is Turkish ice cream trick?
How come Turkish ice cream doesn’t melt?
What makes Turkish ice cream stringy?
Why is Turkish ice cream chewy?
What is Turkish ice cream?
The most famous one and the most flavor-rich one is maraş dondurmasi. Made with salep, the ground-up roots of a wild orchid native to Turkey. And Turkish ice cream vendors are not like any other vendor you find in your neighborhood. turkish ice cream vendors are famous for their tricks, playing and messing around with customers.
Why does Turkish ice cream have a stretchy texture?
This stretchy texture is thanks to the inclusion of a starchy root of wild orchids called salep. Salep is a special type of powdered orchid bulb. These orchids are endemic to the Kahramanmaraş region of Turkey and traditional Turkish ice cream dondurma was first made in this city centuries ago.
What is the best ice cream brand in Turkey?
Probably the greatest success story in Turkey. It was established in late 1992 serving Turkish delights, ice cream, snacks, and Turkish Breakfast. Now, with nearly 83 branches around Turkey, MADO is considered one of the most unique brands in Turkey.
What is the smallest ice cream shop in Turkey?
You can know it from its name, the smallest and tiniest ice cream shop in Turkey, it is almost four square meters overall! they have their own flavor which is a signature of them, caramel, mastic, raspberry, and many other flavors served to customers in Bebek, On the Bosphorus basin. A classic Turkish ice cream shop.