This is ice cream that’s been kissed by a cluster of gentle pines, sweet ginger, and the ghost of oranges.
In my research I learned that Frankincense is resin (a.k.a. dried sap) from the Boswellia tree. The highest quality flows creamy white and is called luban, meaning “milk,” although the color can vary from soft yellow, to rich amber or even luminous green. It just depends on the season. While you can find ice cream with sprinkles of frankincense resin on it all over Oman, the creamy ice cream as I’ve made today seems to have been popularized by a woman named Trygve Harris. Her creamy scoops draw Omanis and foreigners alike.
While you can get lost in wisps of Frankincense Ice Cream any time of year, I’d highly recommend serving generous bowls during the winter, when the crunch of snow and pine surround you and your heart is filled with the holiday spirit. Frankincense Ice Cream would also be a grand addition to a Halloween party. After all, the mysterious scent of Frankincense transforms even the humblest room into a fortune teller’s parlor… equal parts creepy and mysterious. Finally, any ice cream – even Frankincense – is great right now, in the glint and glimmer of summer. Just don’t drop your cone.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 1 1/2 quarts | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | Passive Time |
| 10 minutes | 2 hours |
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This is ice cream that’s been kissed by a cluster of gentle pines, sweet ginger, and the ghost of oranges.
In my research I learned that Frankincense is resin (a.k.a. dried sap) from the Boswellia tree. The highest quality flows creamy white and is called luban, meaning “milk,” although the color can vary from soft yellow, to rich amber or even luminous green. It just depends on the season. While you can find ice cream with sprinkles of frankincense resin on it all over Oman, the creamy ice cream as I’ve made today seems to have been popularized by a woman named Trygve Harris. Her creamy scoops draw Omanis and foreigners alike.
While you can get lost in wisps of Frankincense Ice Cream any time of year, I’d highly recommend serving generous bowls during the winter, when the crunch of snow and pine surround you and your heart is filled with the holiday spirit. Frankincense Ice Cream would also be a grand addition to a Halloween party. After all, the mysterious scent of Frankincense transforms even the humblest room into a fortune teller’s parlor… equal parts creepy and mysterious. Finally, any ice cream – even Frankincense – is great right now, in the glint and glimmer of summer. Just don’t drop your cone.
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 10-15 drops frankincense oil (100% pure boswellia sacra) , available at health food stores*
- 1 cup sugar , divided in half
- 3 egg yolks
Servings: quarts
Units:
Instructions
- Whip egg yolks with the sugar until pale yellow.
- Meanwhile, heat up the milk, cream and remaining sugar in a medium pot. Slide off the stove right before it reaches a bubble and whisk the hot liquid a little at a time into your egg mixture. Return to medium-low heat and cook until thickened and the velvety mixture coats the back of a spoon.
- Whisk in the frankincense drops to taste and strain. Tip: the oil will want to separate so move quickly to incorporate it (as though you’re making salad dressing). Chill the mixture in an ice bath or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Recipe Notes
*Very Important 100% pure Frankincense oil should never be consumed “straight,” but should always be diluted. Please read the following article on the side effects (and benefits) of consuming Frankincense essential oils prior to consuming frankincense oil. While their label may say “Not for consumption”, the company Aura Cacia (available at Whole Foods) has stated that (for their products) this has more to do with USDA regulations than the actual safety of the product (assuming that the essential oil is 100% pure boswellia sacra, with no additives). Read the entire article for more information. After reading all this material I felt comfortable serving this dish to my family (as they do in Oman without a second thought). None of us suffered any ill effects. Please make the decision that’s right for your family.