As the weather warms up, the craving for ice cream grows stronger. While Britain has its traditional favourites like soft serve and Cornish clotted cream, the world offers a diverse array of icy treats that cater to every palate. Here are five unique ice cream styles from around the globe to inspire your next culinary adventure.

1. Kulfi

Kulfi, a Mughal-era dessert, is a staple in many South Asian countries. This dense, creamy treat is made from slowly simmered, sweetened whole milk, often flavoured with pistachio, vanilla, mango, rose, cardamom, and saffron. Traditionally enjoyed on a stick, kulfi is a popular street food in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, as well as in the Middle East where it's often infused with rosewater.

Where to start: Sample this delicious treat from street vendors in cities like Delhi and Mumbai or explore the trendy kulfi parlours in Dubai.

2. Mochi Ice Cream

Mochi ice cream is a Japanese delicacy that has been perfected in the USA. This dessert consists of a ball of ice cream wrapped in a chewy, glutinous rice casing. Available in various flavours such as red bean paste and matcha, mochi ice cream combines unique textures and flavours, making it a delightful treat.

Where to start: In the UK, brands like Little Moons have made mochi ice cream readily available in shops, while in the USA, My/Mochi is a common sight in frozen food aisles.

3. Maraş Dondurma

Maraş dondurma, also known as bastani or booza, is a stretchy, chewy ice cream popular in the Middle East. Its unique texture comes from the use of sahlep (orchid flour) and mastic (tree resin). This emulsified milk confection remains solid longer than regular ice cream and is available in a variety of flavours.

Where to start: Try qashta, a traditional rose water and orange blossom flavour, in Lebanon where it's a beloved cold treat.

4. Ais Kacang

Ais kacang, meaning 'ice beans', is a colourful Malaysian dessert. This shaved ice treat is mixed with sweetened red beans, sweetcorn, evaporated milk, and a variety of fruity, nutty, and jelly toppings. Known as ABC (air batu campur) in Malaysia, it's a refreshing and visually stunning dessert.

Where to start: Experience ais kacang at the night markets in Kuala Lumpur, where these icy treats sparkle under the market lights.

5. I-Tim-Pad

I-tim-pad, also known as Thai rolled ice cream, is made by pouring an ice-cream mixture onto a sub-zero metal sheet and flash freezing it. The process involves rapid chopping and mixing of toppings before the ice cream is scraped into delicate rolls. This visually captivating method makes it a social media sensation.

Where to start: Visit Pan-n-Ice parlours in London and Manchester to watch the mesmerising creation of this delectable treat and savour its unique flavours.

Embrace the world of ice cream by exploring these unique styles. Whether you're sampling stretchy Maraş dondurma or enjoying a vibrant bowl of ais kacang, each treat offers a taste of the diverse cultures that create them.