From poppy to champagne. The famous ice cream maker from Haná is always trying new flavors

Ice cream parlor’s paradise

“Everyone was skeptical at first. But we believed in the product, “continues Říha. The couple were convinced that they had found a hole in the market. That they will not find really good quality Italian ice cream in the area.

“We took out credit, we took out leases. Together with an acquaintance, I rebuilt the former sty into a modern workspace, “shows the ice cream parlor around me. He used his skill and original craft and made new power lines with his own hands, tilting – he simply turned the farm building beyond recognition. They haven’t even opened it yet and have already invested hundreds of thousands of crowns in the operation.

“We buy ordinary fruit in the Czech Republic. We have exotic orders ordered from abroad. So that it is fresh. People are surprised that our ice creams are sometimes a different color than they are used to. Lemon is deep yellow, in vanilla there are black dots from vanilla pod, pistachio is brown, “points out Říha. “Only the shell may be green on the pistachio nut. But the walnut itself is brown, “explains Michal Říha, who learned art in Italy from the local ice cream maker Antonio Napoli.

Lavender and mojito

“Taste more pecan and lavender,” encourages customers who are already enjoying its delicious extra dark chocolate flavors. “We’re making a mojito for tomorrow, so come,” he says.

With his wife Vladimíra, who no one says otherwise than Vladka, he tries to be close to people. He is also constantly active on the social network.

“We ask our customers how they like it, what taste they would like to have,” Mr. Říha’s wife introduces me. Thanks to this, an inexhaustible amount of flavors has been created. From poppy, through gingerbread, lavender to alcoholic flavors.

“My husband likes to experiment with that,” Vladimíra Říhová smiles. “We had champagne with strawberry, Aperol Spritz, cucumber with rum, Prosecco, tomorrow will be mojito,” says Říhová.

However, Říha has not yet started to taste beer.

“But some flavors fail. For example, I tried tomatoes, “Vladimíra Říhová recalls the unfortunate experience.

Customers travel from a wide area

During one season, the couple found their customers throughout the region. The “small” disadvantage of their business, however, is the location. They sell ice cream in Pravčice, a small village in the Kroměříž region. The population of the village is about six hundred.

“It simply came to our notice then. Moreover, the locals don’t even come to us much, “sad Říhová. However, he does not have to have wrinkles on his forehead. People from a wide area follow them – from Hulín, Holešov, Otrokovice, Kroměříž, Přerov, Olomouc.

“A lady on a regular bike rides to us from Kvasice. Quality always finds its supporters, “smiles Michal Říha.

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