Saloni Kukreja has opened her first scoop shop,Indu Ice Cream, in Mumbai, drawing a crowd eager to sample her unique flavors. The shop, which opened recently,features a menu of about 14 flavors, blending classic options with her own creations. Among the most popular are Nutella cookie with hazelnut ice cream, filter coffee brownie cheesecake, and double chocolate butterscotch.
On busy afternoon,a long line of customers forms outside the shop,which stays open until 12:30 AM. Kukreja,along with her team,is busy scooping ice cream, offering samples,and explaining flavor profiles to curious patrons. The excitement surrounding the shop's launch reflects a long-awaited moment for Kukreja,who has been building her brand since 2014 through social media and food blogging.
Initially,Kukreja pursued a degree in Business Management instead of her passion for food,which she discovered early on. After graduating,she transitioned to content creation and attended the Northwest Culinary Academy in Vancouver in 2019. Her culinary journey included working on a farm and in various kitchens, where she developed a love for pastry and ice cream,viewing it as a creative outlet.
In 2023, she launched a pilot project from her home in Khar,offering six flavors that showcased local ingredients and traditional Indian flavors . This venture laid groundwork for Indu Ice Cream, which emphasizes unique base recipes for each flavor,avoiding artificial additives. The initial offerings included filter coffee, dark chocolate with jaggery, and pistachio baklava, quickly gaining popularity.
The brand's name,"Indu," was chosen after considering nearly 30 alternatives. It reflects both a Sanskrit term meaning "cooling" and a nod to the Indus River,embodying the essence of Indian culture. The branding,crafted by her sister, features vibrant colors and block-print fabric lids,reinforcing shop's commitment to sustainability by avoiding plastic packaging.
In 2024, Kukreja moved to a delivery kitchen to maintain proximity to her content studio while refining her recipes. This format allowed her to experiment with flavor layering,enhancing overall taste experience. Collaborations with brands like Skoda and Fenty Beauty helped maintain visibility during this period.
The transition to a physical scoop shop required less research and development than anticipated,thanks to insights gained from previous pop-ups. The current menu features a mix of classic and innovative flavors, with seasonal offerings like chhaas sorbet,a refreshing blend of dahi and spices. Despite frequent requests for sugar-free options,Kukreja remains committed to using only natural ingredients,stating that sugar's structural role in ice cream is challenging to replicate without additives .
At Indu Ice Cream,prices range from ₹180 to ₹240 for matkas,with 250ml tubs priced between ₹350 and ₹420. As the shop continues to attract ice cream lovers, Kukreja's vision of celebrating Indian flavors through her creations is becoming reality.
