Innovative Shanxi vinegar ice-cream raises eyebrows online

TAIYUAN - Craving something cold on a hot summer day? Vinegar-flavored ice-cream could be just the thing, at least according to an ice-cream store in Shanxi province.

The Shanxi store in the city of Taiyuan, the provincial capital, caused huge buzz on the internet after the owner created an extra-sour type of ice cream made with Laochencu (mature vinegar).

Chen Yichao, a store employee, said the ice-cream cones were made with high quality milk and top-quality Shanxi mature vinegar.

"We use mature vinegar that has been fermented for three years or five years," Chen said.

The store, which opened less than a month ago, has sold a large number of the sour ice creams, which cost 10 yuan ($1.4) each.

"The vinegar ice-cream accounts for at least 60 percent of all ice-cream cones sold every day," Chen said.

Chen said that it took "many times of experiments" to make the vinegar ice-cream tasty. "Some people don't like the flavor, but we are catering to those who dare to try new things."

"It tastes good," a customer said. "I like the flavor of vinegar."

The dessert, made from milk, sorghum, peas, barley and vinegar, is one of the best selling items at the store, with more than 200 cones sold every day, according to China Global Television Network.

The bizarre creation caused widespread fascination on the Internet. "That's creative. Will they make ice cream with spicy paste one day?" read a comment on microblog Sina Weibo.

Shanxi is famous for its mature vinegar. The province has been making vinegar for more than 3,000 years.