When it comes to summer treats, nothing will help you beat the heat like a few scoops of ice cream. Personally, I’m a fan of the simpler things, and tend to favor a cup of vanilla or chocolate. Recently, however, I stumbled upon a secret that I just had to share: drizzling olive oil over my ice cream.

Olive Oil On Ice Cream — Why It Works

Why fix something that isn’t broken, you ask? Well, this little trick will enhance your dessert in the best way possible. Yes, it may sound a little strange, but adding a bit of olive oil along with some flaked sea salt (optional) on ice cream isn’t an idea I came up with on my own. Expert foodies everywhere have been doing it for years.

Olive oil makes the perfect topping for ice cream because it has a savory, aromatic flavor, which offers just the right contrast to a sweet scoop of ice cream. And since olive oil is a fat, it also adds richness and decadence, making this treat one you’ll crave over and over again.

I’ll admit that I thought this trick was more than a little weird (I’m not big on mixing savory and sweet tastes when it comes to desserts), but after trying it with some chocolate ice cream, I see why it’s gained popularity. The richness of the oil almost makes the ice cream taste like a fancier dessert, like real Italian gelato.

The key to doing it right is using a high-quality oil. These tend to have a more potent, aromatic flavor. Generally, high-quality oils will cost a little more at the grocery store, and they typically come in a dark bottle, which prevents the oil from oxidizing and changing flavor. You can also purchase extra virgin olive oil online. We love this one from Oilala (Buy on Amazon, $28.99).

Just as well, sticking to the basics is better when it comes to flavors. Opt for plain vanilla or chocolate ice cream, drizzle on about a teaspoon of your olive oil, and to finish, you can also top your dessert with a light sprinkling of sea salt (to taste), which helps to bring all the different flavors together. I definitely preferred the ice cream with salt combination!

So the next time you’re enjoying some ice cream, turn things up a notch by adding a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt if you’re feeling adventurous. Little did you know you could enhance your favorite dessert with such a simple tweak!