Big Softies

Ice cream and gelato are foodservice must-haves throughout the year – but absolutely come into their own during the warmer spring and summer months.

A scoop of ice cream is the perfect accompaniment to a plethora of summer desserts, as well as crowd pleaser for youngsters – but have you considered offering your own soft serve?

Soft serve ice cream is experiencing substantial growth in the UK, having enjoyed huge success in Europe as well as in the US, for many years. Easy to make and extremely versatile, its high profit margin has proved it to be a winner in a wide variety of foodservice venues from pubs and cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Cool Customers

The UK’s love affair with ice cream and gelato continues to grow with consumption levels rising year on year:

• General ice cream consumption in the UK has rebounded to 107g per person per week after dipping to 101g in 2020 during the Covid pandemic
• Revenue in the ice cream segment in the UK is forecast to continuously increase between 2023 and 2028 by a total of 14%. It is estimated to reach £0.83billion and therefore a new peak by 2028
• The overall volume of ice cream sold in in the UK now exceeds 147million kilograms (Statista, November 2023)
• Vanilla remains the UK’s favourite ice cream flavour with 28% of the population ranking it top in a recent poll (followed by mint choc chip and chocolate).

Moo-ve over to soft serve

When it comes to soft serve ice cream, Jersey Dairy are the leaders in the market.

Located on Jersey in the Channel Islands, Jersey Dairy is a true farmers co-operative, and their famous Jersey cows have been making the creamiest, richest and smoothest ice cream and milkshakes in the world since 1763.

The cows are allowed to graze freely on the fields of lush green grass for most of the year, and it’s this access to fresh grass and sea air that produces the distinctive and unique Jersey milk that is renowned for its quality.

They have a unique and clear provenance with full traceability from farm to product. All cows are registered in the Island Herd Book which dates back to 1866 and shows the name of each cow and their pedigree lineage.

Jersey milk has an 18% higher protein content than milk from other breeds of cow which helps to gain strength and muscle mass. There is also 20% more calcium in Jersey milk which is great for the development of healthy teeth and bones, especially in growing children and the older generation.

Animal welfare

Jersey has some of the strictest laws in the world regarding animal welfare. All the Jersey Dairy farmers work to the same exacting standards to ensure the health and welfare of their herds and the high quality of their produce, and all of their farms are Red Tractor certified.

In addition, the dairy was the first in the world to be awarded the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque, a global environmental assurance system which recognises high standards of environmental care including sustainable soil and water management, enhanced energy efficiency and improved landscape management.

Jersey cows leave a 20% smaller carbon footprint than other cows.

Whipping up profits

Soft serve ice cream isn’t just a treat; it’s a smart business move. Here’s why:

• Ease of use: Soft serve machines are user-friendly and require minimal training. Operators can quickly serve up delicious cones or cups without fuss.
• Versatility: Soft serve adapts effortlessly to various food service venues. Whether it’s a bustling café, a beachside kiosk, or a family restaurant, soft serve fits right in.
• Profit margins: The cost of producing soft serve is relatively low, making it an attractive option for maximising profits. Plus, the ability to upsell toppings and add-ons further boosts revenue.
• Bumper portions: A case of Jersey Dairy will give (on average) 168 portions for gravity-fed machines and up to 216 portions for a pump-fed ice cream machine

More than just vanilla

In addition to its Luxury Vanilla Soft Serve, Jersey Dairy has also launched an industry-leading Luxury Chocolate Ice Cream Mix, which is the first of its kind in the UK.

It was created as the result of a unique collaboration with Steve Carrigan, Ice Cream and Gelato Technician at ingredients supplier Henley Bridge.

He developed the coveted chocolate recipe using Jersey Dairy’s original Vanilla Luxury Softmix combined with a secret blend of Belcolade cocoa mass and deZaan cocoa powder.

He explains: “The brief was to produce a premium, easy-to-use product – and you need premium ingredients in order to achieve that. I’ve worked with the Belcolade cocoa mass and deZaan cocoa powder for some time now, and both are absolutely fantastic products.

“The quality and provenance of Jersey cream and milk speaks for itself. With a much higher butterfat content than other milks, the resulting ice cream is smooth, rich and satisfying.

“With no mixing or measuring required, Jersey Luxury Chocolate Ice Cream Mix could not be easier to use.”

Shapeshifters

Soft serve ice cream has come a long way since it was invented in the 1930s when a simple swirl was the only serving option. Nowadays, there are a wealth of different shaped nozzles available to help you create eye-catching shapes and designs. From soft waves to curly spaghetti, velvety petals to popcorn shapes, you can customise the shape of your soft serve to suit your style. For example:

• Star nozzles: Create classic cupcake swirls or elegant borders. Open star nozzles for swirls, closed star nozzles for stars and shells.
• Petal nozzles: Craft petals or build intricate flowers like roses. Experiment with various shapes for stunning designs.
• Basketweave nozzles: Ideal for Easter basket cakes or ruffled patterns. Use the serrated side for a woven effect.
• Ribbon nozzles: Perfect for buttercream ruffles, bows and frilly borders.

Contact your local rep for more information.