(Gerry Furth-Sides) Owner Smita Vasant opened Saffron Spot ice cream shop in the summer of 2005. after her delicious, unique homemade ice cream creations became so popular at home they inspired a commercial business supplying wholesale ice cream to restaurants and for events, and then the store.
Located at the end of a spiffy street in freeway-close Artesia and well-known as “Little India,” here each part alone adds up to a whole. The photo of fashion-model Smita below starts the story.
The menu after all these years is comprehensive and filled with customers favorites. In Smita’s words, “I enjoy creating flavors that remind me of India and so experiment with various spices and flavors that are used in India to create one of a kind flavors and combinations.” Saffron, Rose, Pistachio, Tutti Frutti and Kulfi ice cream are some of our popular flavors
The star remains Smita’s unique kulfi, and for good reason. “Kulfi is one of our most authentic items,” Vasant explains. “It’s made the old-fashioned way, by boiling milk until it is reduced and then adding sugar and spices to it.”
Attention is paid to detail and fresh, quality ingredients. For example, food-grade plastic cones are imported from India. They are used for freezing the ice cream and inserting a popsicle-like stick. This makes for an on-the-go treat.
Smita’s background in management has been a huge asset in creating and maintaining the company. She is also active in the Little India and the Indian community. Smita created Kitchen Queens, an online and in-person group of home and professional cooks passionate about Indian cuisine and culture. Friendly competitions, cooking demonstration events and ethnic food tours are features in it.
Says, Smita, “People who come here from India and eat it say that it tastes better than what they get back home!” Sundaes are a little meal in themselves!
Saffron Spot’s other ice creams are frozen in a machine, so air is incorporated. The process makes them softer than kulfi, which can go directly into the cones and then the freezer.
Flavors are so tempting we wanted to try them all, and we pretty much did!
The mango, pistachio and malai (cream). Flavors start with the signature Saffron Silk, saffron ice cream mingled with subtle flavors of rose and pistachios unlike the middle eastern much more flowery version.
Smita loves “creating flavors that remind me of India and so I experiment with various spices and flavors that are used in India to create one of a kind flavors and combinations. Saffron, Rose, Pistachio, Tutti Frutti and Kulfi ice cream are some of our popular flavors.” Other include rich, silky Kulfi Kreme, Guava, Pomegranate, Cashew, Lychee, and Pistachio, Sitaphal, Date/Walnut, Paan, Chiukoo, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Mango .
“I first named the company and product ‘Neemo’s Exotic Ice Creams’ after my two daughters Nikita and Monica,” Smita told us. We started off with four flavors, our signature flavor which still remains the most popular even though the name changed.
“My goal was to create a high-quality and unique product in a niche market when I launched the product in April 2001,” Smita says. And we are always in the process of continuous improvement – creating new flavors and menu items and enhancing existing ones to create a ‘tasteful’ experience. And one that is fun.”
And, if anyone knows fun and “tasteful,” it is Smita.