Sweetcorn ice cream and pastries: The 'swavoury' trend takes UK by storm

The humble sweetcorn is shedding its savory image and taking center stage in a new wave of desserts and pastries across the UK. From ice cream and cookies to cheesecake and lattes, the vegetable is being incorporated into sweet treats in surprising ways, signaling a significant shift in culinary trends.

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Sweetcorn belongs in desserts!

This culinary innovation is part of a broader movement dubbed 'swavoury,' which explores the combination of sweet and savory flavors that are not traditionally paired. Food trend forecasters note that sweetcorn's unique flavor profile and its ability to blend into a creamy texture make it an ideal candidate for this trend. Other examples include purple sweet potato ice cream and carrot compote cheesecakes.

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I genuinely really think sweetcorn and desserts is just the best thing in the world.

Crystelle Pereira, a cook and former Great British Bake Off finalist known for her experimental flavor combinations, champions sweetcorn in desserts. She believes the ingredient, already common in South East Asian and Latin American puddings, is "very slowly easing its way" into the UK food scene. Pereira's own creations, like a sweetcorn latte, aim to demonstrate the vegetable's versatility and appeal to a wider audience.

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We've been so used to having sweetcorn in tuna and sweetcorn, we just think it's a savoury ingredient. But… it's so, so sweet.

Experts also point to the growing influence of South Korean cuisine on the UK's food landscape as a contributing factor to sweetcorn's rising popularity. The increasing appetite for diverse flavors and textures is encouraging consumers and chefs alike to explore unconventional ingredients and combinations, pushing the boundaries of traditional gastronomy.

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I wanted to show people that it works