A HEALTHY DOSE OF SUGAR.

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I'm a 4th year undergraduate student in the Applied Human Nutrition program at the University of Guelph. I plan to work in the food industry specifically in the area of product development with the goal to ensure that product innovations will not compromise but encourage nutritious food choices for Canadians. This profession is the perfect union between my passion for food and my aspiration to pursue a career that focuses on empowering people to live out a healthy lifestyle. My favourite thing to do in my free time is to cook! If I had someone to wash my dishes every time I baked, I would most likely be found in the kitchen all day long!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

#1 Gelato in Toronto

Hibiscus (238 Augusta, at Nassau, 416-364-6183)



From my other two postings, you probably have come to realize that I love ice cream since I just can't seem to stop writing about it.  Well, for those who do not share the same passion I have for ice cream, not to worry as this will be my last tribute to this familiy of delightful frozen sweets!

About a month ago, I found myself standing in front of Hibiscus, a trendy vegan café that I have wanted to try out ever since reading the article, “Gelato top ten” in NOW magazine." It is hard to imagine that the #1 rated Gelato in Toronto is made in a tiny vegan café. Instead of milk, they use soy, rice, mung bean (aka. green bean), almond and coconut milk. As I entered in, the first thing I did was scan through the café in search of the gelato freezer display. To my surprise they actually didn’t have one! Instead, all their gelato flavours were simply listed on their menu. The flavours are the same year round and include the following:
  • Coconut raspberry
  • Coconut blueberry
  •  Coconut mango
  • Chocolate Almond
  • Chocolate Brownie
  • Pistachio
  • Earl Gray
  • Chai Masala
  • Black Sesame
  • Ginger
  • Green Tea
As you can imagine, with a list this unique, it is hard not to be indecisive about your choice of gelato, especially the fact that you get to choose 2 flavours!!!! At the end, I opted for their infamous coconut blueberry gelato and earl gray. Let’s just say that there is only one word to describe the gelato. It was outrageously AMAZING! You could not ask for a more smoother, richer gelato. The subtle tones of the coconut, almond and mung bean milk just added that perfect background note to the sweetness and fruitiness of the blueberries and the exquisite bold flavours of the tea. It was the perfect balance, not too sweet and the different flavors didn’t overwhelm one another. Not that this wasn’t enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, the gelato were served on chic black ceramic bowls along with the cutiest little brown wooden spoons! I was so in love with the spoon that the owner actually let me keep one!


So the next time you are in Toronto, go and check out Hibiscus and tell the owners that the petite Chinese girl who took a wooden spoon recommended you to go! Let me know if the gelato tantalized your taste buds as much as it did for me!




Posted by Amanda Li at 6:30 PM

12 comments:

  1. PrisOctober 27, 2009 at 6:36 PM

    Ohhhhh, awesome! I never knew Toronto had this Gelato place! We should go to Hibiscus in December! That way you can tell me all about the food in person!

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  2. JennOctober 27, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    I am drooling just reading your description and thinking back how awesome the gelato tasted, I want it now! Thanks for introducing this awesome place to us =) Everyone needs to go and try it!

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  3. UnknownOctober 27, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    I couldn't agree more!! It was SO GOOD! Not to mention is was a pretty good deal for the size they serve! =) There will definitely be a next time there!

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  4. JoyceOctober 27, 2009 at 9:59 PM

    Yeah, I'd like a triple with blueberry, sesame and coconut if they do take out. yummmmmmmm:)

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  5. adminOctober 27, 2009 at 10:44 PM

    If you're ever in NYC, you MUST try il laboratorio del gelato - absolutely delicious. I'm defintely going to check Hibiscus out when I'm back in town! :)

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  6. UnknownOctober 28, 2009 at 8:23 PM

    i can't believe i've never been or heard of hibiscus. with how much i love desserts..and toronto for that matter, i'm surprised i havent come across it! those flavours sound absolutely deliciousss..and i can't wait to try them =)

    you are too cute with that spoon ordeal! i can't believe you were so in love with it that the owner felt the need/desire to actually give it to you! hahahahaha

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  7. Elizabeth LeeOctober 28, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    aww, I wish that I joined you guys at this gelato place after the internship forum! I'll remember this name and hopefully I can try it in the future. I'll let you know what I think!

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  8. shelaOctober 28, 2009 at 10:21 PM

    love how they have such unique flavours that appeal to the general population; that's quite impressive.
    a visit to hibiscus is definitely on the to-do list now !
    thanks for sharing :)

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  9. johannaOctober 29, 2009 at 11:16 AM

    great entry!
    thank you so much for sharing about this little gelato shop :) i will be hitting it up in the near future. can't wait to try all their unique flavours!

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  10. MonaNovember 13, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    Thanks for sharing this, Amanda. I'll have to check this out next time I'm in Toronto - where abouts is it exactly? Maybe I can convince my room mate to go with me tonight, haha. I also like the fact that they don't use cow's milk because I'm lactose intolerant and I loooooove my ice cream. I've decided already what flavours I'm going to choose - coconut mango & chocolate brownie. Yum, yum.

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  11. Karan TsoiNovember 15, 2009 at 2:27 PM

    WOW. What exotic flavours! I love gelato. I will definitely try it next time I am in Toronto. Thank you for sharing :) I also really like this gelato shop called "Hollywood Gelato" somewhere near Bay and Eglinton. They have Ferrero Rocher Gelato.

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  12. Amanda LiNovember 16, 2009 at 4:06 PM

    Ferrero Rocher Gelato sounds amazing, especially since that is my favorite chocolate of all times! Thanks for sharing that Karen!

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