Just as sweet as ever
There is indeed a difference in Thailand's Baskin Robbins ice cream these days - it actually does come from America
THREE YEARS ago Thailand got a new franchisee to run its two dozen Baskin Robbins outlets, but doubt still lingers among customers about whether this remains the same American product and whether the high prices are justified.
Pakin Phenpakkul wants to reassure everyone that this is indeed the original Baskin Robbins, the American maker of premium ice cream and other frozen desserts. In fact it’s now “more original” than it used to be.
He’s the general manager of Golden Scoop, a subsidiary of Mudman, the official franchisee that also operates the Dunkin’ Donuts and Au Bon Pain chains and the Greyhound Cafe. He says the Baskin Robbins ice cream and all the ingredients used and treats sold – the whipping cream, waffle powder mix, dry and wet toppings and cakes – are shipped from the US.
“We want to make sure that, wherever you eat Baskin Robbins ice cream, you get the same experience,” Pakin says. “Our products are 100-per-cent imported, and that’s why the prices are higher than they were under the old franchisee, whose ice cream was produced locally.”
The previous franchisee terminated its franchise agreement with Baskin Robbins in 2009, and Mudman stepped in to run the chain in 2012. There are now 26 outlets, with the main branches at the Walk mall on Kaset-Nawamin Road, K Village on Sukhumvit and Paseo on Kanchanaphisek, all great spots to enjoy some sweets between shopping excursions.
All the shops are bright white with the counters and walls carrying a waffle pattern and the pink and aqua stools matching the colours of the Baskin Robbins logo. “The number ‘31’ in the logo signifies the number of flavours of ice cream available – one for every day of the month,” Pakin explains.
“We have more than 20 regular flavours plus seasonal choices, for a total of more than 30 flavours. You can sample them all using our little pink spoons. When you make your choice, though, the ice cream comes in a paper cup, because paper keeps the ice cream colder than glass does and there’s never any danger of injury from chipped glass. Even the paper cups are approved by the US National Sanitary Foundation, and they’re always discarded immediately after use.”
Mint Chocolate Chip is the most popular flavour in Thailand, says Pakin, with its cool hit of mint-flavoured ice cream pocked with chunks of chocolate. Others he recommends are Old Fashioned Butter Pecan with butter-roasted nuts and Gold Medal Ribbon, a vanilla-and-chocolate mix with a rich vein of caramel. Cotton Candy is a carnival of colours reminiscent of the fluffy childhood favourite, and Love Potion#31 is white-chocolate and raspberry ice cream with raspberry-filled chocolate hearts and chocolate chips.
A scoop of Baskin Robbins ice cream costs Bt109, a double scoop Bt149 and a triple Bt199.
The sundaes are great too. The Happy 6 (Bt189) is six mini-scoops of your chosen ice cream in a waffle cone, and the Flavor Flight (Bt359) is five scoops with whipped light cream and hot fudge.
“We’ve actually had complaints from customers that our whipped cream melts too easily,” Pakin smiles. “It’s low fat, so it can’t last longer than 20 seconds. It’s light and not too creamy. And you can take some whipped cream home if you like – Bt269 for a 15-ounce bottle.”
Creating your own sundae is part of the fun, using one, two or three scoops of your favourite ice creams, whipped cream, cherries and your choice of toppings. They’re Bt149 for a single scoop, Bt189 for a double and Bt239 for a triple. The sauces include hot fudge, butterscotch, cherry and strawberry, and the dry toppings are diced almonds, chocolate and rainbow sprinkles and chocolate chips. You pay another Bt25 for a fresh-baked waffle cone or bowl and Bt40 for additional brownie or vanilla cake.
Beverages include the classic milkshake. Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip and Very Berry Strawberry are among the selections, or have one made with your own favourite ice cream. The ice cream is blended with milk and syrup, but no ice. A regular (12oz) shake is Bt159 and large (16oz) is Bt199. And the Affogato (Bt144) is a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso.
There’s even more choice among the ice-cream cakes, which come in six- and nine-inch sizes costing Bt899 to Bt1,599. These too can be customised if you can manage three days’ advance notice.
SCREAMING FOR IT
Get scoops of more details from the “BaskinRobbinsThailand” page on Facebook.
