Something Called “Stretchy Ice Cream” Exists, And We’re Never Eating Regular Ice Cream Again

Think you know everything about ice cream? Think again. There’s a type of ice cream a lot of people aren’t aware of, simply because it’s rare to find in the United States. It’s called booza, and it originated in the Middle East.

So, what is booza? It’s stretchy ice cream that doesn’t melt the same way typical ice cream does. That means it’s the perfect snack for a hot summer day. Made with an ingredient called sahlab, it’s denser than typical ice cream (and much more bendable), but still packs a ton of flavor. Interested? You should be — booza seems to be the ice cream only found in dreams.

In the United States, those lucky enough to live in New York have the best chance to try it out. According to GrubStreet, it’s available at Cedars Pastry in Brooklyn, as well as a now-open Williamsburg shop called Republic of Booza.

“A lot of people speak about gelato as being superior to ice cream because it’s churned at a slower speed and has less air. It has that silkier, creamier kind of thing going on. Booza is like that — times ten,” Republic of Booza shop owner Michael Sadler said to GrubStreet.

The shop is celebrating by posting some very delicious-looking booza pics on Instagram.

And here are the flavors they’ll offer once they open:

One of the greatest things about the new shop is that they sought flavor inspiration throughout the globe. In doing so, they’ve made their product even more of a cultural experience.

Booza is the type of food you can (and should) play with a little before you eat. Hopefully, those who are able to stop by Republic of Booza share some fun photos on Instagram for the rest of us.

If you’re not in New York and can’t try booza for yourself, you can still have fun with your ice cream this summer. Here are a few tips and tricks for customizing your ice cream concoctions: