Hong Kong ice cream shop offers ‘tear gas’ flavor to remind people of pro-democracy demonstrations
A Hong Kong ice cream shop is now offering a tear gas flavor to remind people of pro-democracy demonstrations.
As being reported, the main ingredient of this ice cream is black peppercorns, which reminds of the pungent, peppery rounds fired by police on the streets of the semi-autonomous Chinese city during months of demonstrations last year.
Associated Press reported after talking to the owner of the shop, whose identity is kept anonymously to avoid repercussions.
The flavor is a sign of support for the pro-democracy movement, which is seeking to regain its momentum during the coronavirus pandemic, the shop’s owner told.
“We would like to make a flavor that reminds people that they still have to persist in the protest movement and don’t lose their passion,” he said.
“We roast and then grind whole black peppercorns and make them into gelato, the Italian style. It’s a bit hot, but we emphasize its aftertaste, which is a sensation of irritation in the throat. It just feels like breathing in tear gas,” the 31-year-old owner added.
A customer at the shop who tasted the ice cream and experienced tear gas at a protest told the AP that the flavor made her want to drink water right away.
“It tastes like tear gas. It feels difficult to breathe at first, and it’s really pungent and irritating. It makes me want to drink a lot of water immediately,” the customer told the AP.
“I think it’s a flashback that reminds me of how painful I felt in the movement, and that I shouldn’t forget.”
