Arctic ice cream

Arctic ice cream is a traditional Inuit and Yupik dessert made from rendered animal fat, berries, and sometimes fish eggs, whipped into a light, airy texture. It is a staple in Arctic regions like Alaska, Northern Canada, and Greenland, where it serves as a calorie-dense survival food. Unlike Western ice cream, it contains no dairy and is often eaten frozen or semi-frozen.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is extremely high in fat and calories, providing essential energy in cold climates, with minimal carbohydrates or protein. A single serving can offer a significant amount of vitamin C from berries and omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources, with a calorie count often exceeding 500 kcal.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	550 kcal
Protein	2.5 g
Carbs	8 g
Fat	58 g
Fiber	1.5 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	15 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin E	3.2 mg
Omega-3 (EPA+DHA)	800 mg
Potassium	120 mg
Iron	1.8 mg
Vitamin A	45 mcg
Calcium	20 mg
Phosphorus	90 mg

Per 1/2 cup (120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it is a symbol of communal feasting and resourcefulness, traditionally prepared during celebrations and made from ingredients like seal oil or caribou fat. Nutritionally, it is unique as a non-dairy, high-fat food that historically helped prevent scurvy due to its vitamin C content from wild berries.