Tiger tail ice cream

Tiger tail ice cream is a Canadian ice cream flavour made with an orange-flavoured base and a black liquorice swirl.

Tiger tail ice cream is a Canadian ice cream flavour combining an orange-flavoured base with a black liquorice swirl. Its orange-and-black tiger-stripe appearance gives it its name. The flavour is most strongly associated with Canada, especially southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada, and was especially popular from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Description

Tiger tail ice cream is usually an orange-flavoured ice cream with a black liquorice swirl or ribbon. The visual contrast gives it a tiger-like striped look.

History

The flavour became popular in Canada in the mid-20th century, with many sources placing its peak from the 1950s to the 1970s. It later declined in mainstream popularity but returned as a nostalgic retro flavour, with renewed interest since the 2010s.

Regional popularity

Tiger tail is most associated with Canada, particularly southern Ontario and Atlantic Canada. It is not commonly found in many other parts of the world.

Variants and serving styles

The flavour appears in different commercial and homemade versions, but the core idea is the same: orange ice cream with liquorice stripes. Some recipes use liquorice syrup or anise-based ribbons to recreate the effect.