Tasting icecream for a living sounds like a dream job but Kay McMath reckons there's more to it than meets the eye.
As chief judge for the New Zealand Ice Cream Awards, she had to eat spoonfuls of nearly 200 icecreams and after a while, her tastebuds could barely handle it.
"It's a job that everyone tells me they'd love to do but the fun and treat nature of it quickly wears out."
Ms McMath was one of three judges for this year's awards, run by the New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association.
The awards, in their 11th year, attracted a record 187 icecream entries across nine categories from commercial manufacturers and restaurants. Entries are judged on their appearance, flavour and texture.
The winner, announced last night in Rotorua, was a lemongrass and ginger icecream made by Kapiti Fine Foods.
The icecream, which earlier won the export category and is destined for Asia, scored the most points overall for its subtle blend of two delicate flavours and its traditional creamy texture.
Ms McMath, who specialises in evaluating food products, has held various roles in the past and taste-tested everything from beer and wine to cheese.
A self-confessed food lover, she said it was a job that came with some privileges. "There's definitely a professional buzz involved but the whole time you have to be objective. We're testing blind so we have no idea who makes the icecreams when we're eating them."
Judging was held over two days last month. Judges cleaned their palates between tastings by eating low-fat salt crackers.
"All that icecream fatigues the tastebuds very quickly," she said.
More gelato/sorbet entries were received this year than before reflecting a growing demand from consumers for ready-to-eat fruit desserts for special occasions.
The awards demonstrated a trend towards a wider range of coffee and chocolate flavoured icecreams. "Manufacturers are reacting to consumers who want icecreams with different levels of cocoa. Chocolate is not just chocolate anymore," Mrs McMath said. "People are making icecreams that, when you eat them, taste like you're drinking a flat white or mochaccino."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Rotorua Daily Post
Rotorua's $3 billion, 30-year plan to fix aging pipes, roads and more
It follows decades of 'chronic underspending' on infrastructure, one councillor says.