Orange County’s cult favorite ice cream finally comes to the Bay Area
Here's when and where the first Cauldron location will open
Get ready to blow up your Instagram account.
The ice cream trend that’s taken Orange County by storm has finally made its way north.
Cauldron, the shop that uses liquid nitrogen and waffle irons to create photogenic treats — ice cream “roses” nestled in puffy waffle cones — will open its first Bay Area location on Saturday, May 18, in San Jose. (Saturday’s hours will be 6-10 p.m.; a soft opening is going on Friday.)
The use of liquid nitrogen to make ice cream is unusual but not limited to Cauldron. The Bay Area’s Smitten ice cream and others have been doing that for years.
It’s the flowery shape of the scoops and the cone that set Cauldron apart. The Santa Ana-based creators took the idea of a Hong Kong street food, the egg waffle, and riffed on that. The batter puffs up when cooked and then, while still warm, it’s formed into the shape of a cone, a Puffle Cone.
The ice cream is freshly made, and flavors change monthly. May’s creative lineup includes Earl Grey Lavender, Sea Salted Caramel Crunch, Double Shot Chocolate, Milk and Cereal, Vietnamese Coffee and several others, plus the ultimate flower-petal photo opp, H2O Rose (with essence of rose and rose sugar).
Details: 1088 E. Brokaw Road, San Jose. 408-320-1414; www.cauldronicecream.com