Why is everyone talking about Dua Lipa's olive oil ice cream?

If you're a fervent fan of internet debates, you surely found your haven in the TikTok comment sections. Lately, a topic stirring up crowds and eliciting contrasting reactions among Gen Z is yet again a food trend, a theme that's relatively mild compared to Taylor Swift's Deepfake images. After Gigi Hadid's vodka pasta, here comes Dua Lipa's olive oil ice cream. According to social media, we live in an era where the slightest eccentricity is the innovation of the century, and celebrities lead these innovations. Usually skeptical, we completely understand the excitement surrounding this trend. The concept is simple: transform traditional vanilla ice cream into an unexpected culinary experience by adding a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. In an interview with BBC Radio 1 last November, the pop star revealed, «I don't think chocolate ice cream is that good. But you know what I like? It's very simple: I take vanilla ice cream and put olive oil and sea salt on top. I've had so many people try it, and everyone has switched to the dark side.» A revelation that at the time left netizens indifferent, two TikTok users managed to revive this seemingly strange sweet and savory combination into an internet sensation.

According to our investigations, this "revival" can be attributed to Nara Smith and Claudia Sulewski, although determining who made these tutorials first would be like unraveling the mystery of the chicken and the egg. Their videos detailing the preparation of this new ice cream variation quickly ignited the app, accumulating 15 million views and inspiring countless users to create similar tutorials. The verdict was clear, and the war of opinion began, pitting the converted against the unbelievers. «It's a dessert for rich people,» mocked one user. «Listen to me well, what if you used hot fudge and whipped cream?» joked another. «If I have a sweet tooth and have ice cream in the freezer, I will simply eat the ice cream,» argued a third. Between these two camps, a group of purists naturally emerged, whose sole purpose was to set the record straight on the origins of this recipe. As you might imagine, olive oil ice cream is not a recent invention. In reality, it's a staple of Italian cuisine, commonly known as "gelato con olio e sale." This information helped demystify the emerging trend and place it in a cultural context.

Unable to make a quick round trip to Italy, we recommend reproducing the recipe at home. Or even better, head directly to Folderol, the place where it holds the spot as bestseller, and where it is said Dua Lipa discovered it. You've likely heard about it or seen countless videos on social media about it. In the blink of an eye, Folderol has become the most sought-after wine and ice cream shop of Paris, unexpectedly becoming a TikTok trend itself. A fame that has not been without its challenges. With the soaring popularity, the influx of visitors, influencers, and curious onlookers proved more significant than expected. Its once peaceful sidewalks quickly turned into frenetic filming locations, and the overwhelmed managers had to face constant disruptions, eventually leading to the hiring of a bouncer to restore some semblance of calm. Despite these challenges, the establishment remains a must-visit for those seeking a fusion of sweet pleasures and oenological delights. More influenced than influencers, we discovered their olive oil ice cream last summer, and, like Dua Lipa, we can't get enough of it.