Ice Cream, `Splendid Changes`

- `Mix first, then eat.` Cold Rock is a custom-order ice cream, as it mixes various ice creams, chosen by the customer, with many different toppings. The taste is `strong` and `glutinous` since Cold Rock ice cream does not mix water and contains dairy fat of 15 percent. Its original brand comes from the U.S. However, Cold Rock became a `native` ice cream since it paid a lump sum for using the brand name as well as the technology. Although there are seven stores, Cold Rock plans to have 100 stores within this year. Lee Kyung-Mi, owner of the Wonhyo store, said, ``The strength of Cold Rock is that it can generate hundreds of different flavors depending on how one mixes the materials. I have quite a few of regular customers even though the store opened only a month ago.``

- Instead of a full course meal? Swansen, opened in Myung Dong, Seoul, last 12th, is a place where `one can replace the meal with ice cream.` Not only the quantity of the ice cream, but also the quality of nutrition is high through the addition of fruits and nuts. It functions as family restaurant as well. Sundae, covered with chocolate and fruit, is representative item. `Banana Split,` `Celebrity Brownie,` and `Vanilla Ice Cap` are among the menu items. Especially, `Fire House,` aiming at the visual effect, is an `ice cream on fire,` as it is served with an orange extract kindled by fire.

- On the spot: Home made style ice cream, with fresh ground fruits, such as strawberry, apple, kiwi, and peach, mixed with milk on the spot, brings about a fixed circle of fans. Italy’s `Dolomiti,` `Shintoburi,` `Terre de Glace` and `Sherbet` are the major brand names. `Dolomiti` is an ice cream that is made with freshly ground pineapple, orange, melon, and watermelon. It has soft and fresh taste. It aims at women customers with the motto of low fat, low calorie, and low cholesterol. `Terre de Glace`, with the advertisement of `upgrade for health and taste,` makes an experimental ice cream by using green tea, chestnut, jinsang, and sweet potato as well as natural fruits. Ice cream made with sweet potato is popular, ranking second in sales.

Chung Kyung-Joon news91@donga.com