Mumbai food: Ice-Cream with a 'desi' twist is must have this Diwali

We may stick to chocochip and caramel-flavoured ice creams for the rest of the year, but when Diwali is around the corner, we don't mind indulging in a few desi versions. When we heard Papacream has launched a new menu that includes Motichoor and Kaju Katli ice creams (Rs 100 for a cup each), we couldn't resist trying a scoop.

Ice Cream churner at The Tha'l Co

While Motichoor scored for its richness, we loved the Kaju Katli flavour. That's considering we can indulge in the diamond-shaped treat at any time, even when we're stuffed to the gills.

Kesar Pista Ice Cream is one of the many desserts on the thal

The ice creams were delivered to our workplace in a sturdy container on a bed of dry ice. One bite of the Kaju Katli flavour, and we realised that this is the most decadent version of Kaju Katli we've tried. The luscious, creamy ice cream was laced with bits of the actual mithai, caressing our taste buds with their crumbly texture, and sweet and nutty mawa and cashew flavours. We'd prefer this version over the regular cashew-flavoured ice creams (read: Kaju Draksh and Kaju Anjeer variety) where there's every possibility of the dry fruit tasting stale and, sometimes, even salty.

Kaju Katli Ice Cream

Another desi version worth trying is the hand-churned Kesar Pista Ice Cream (as part of the thal priced Rs 786 onwards) offered by The Tha'l Co, a Bandra restaurant specialising in Bohri Thal, which will cater at house parties this Diwali. Churned in the traditional wooden sancha, the silken ice cream scores for its perfect balance of milk and saffron, laced with bits of fresh pistachios that add a bite.Both these ice creams will be a perfect way to end that taash party, we think.