A Hong Kong ice cream parlour has released a tear gas flavour ice cream to remind locals about the pro-democracy protests that were taking place before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parlour owner, who preferred to remain anonymous to avoid any possible repercussions with the Chinese authorities, said the new tear gas flavour is to show support for the pro-democracy movement which is hoping to regain momentum again when the pandemic eases.
He told local media: “We wanted to make a flavour that reminds people that they still have to persist in the protest movement and not to lose their passion.”
According to local media, the ice cream’s main ingredient is black peppercorns to remind Hong Kong citizens of the peppery rounds fired by police during the demonstrations last year.
Shop customer Anita Wong said: “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.
“I think it’s a flashback that reminds me of how painful I felt in the movement, and that I shouldn’t forget it.”
The 31-year-old parlour owner reportedly tried a number of different ingredients such as wasabi and mustard before deciding on the final flavour.
He said: “We roast and then grind whole black peppercorns and make them into gelato, Italian style.
“It’s a bit hot, but we emphasise its aftertaste, which is a sensation of irritation in the throat. It just feels like breathing in tear gas.”
According to local media, over 16,000 rounds of tear gas were fired during the protests which were sparked by proposed legislation that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China to face charges.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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