I first fell in love with Popaganda’s old fashioned, no additives ice lollies when I came across them at the Hermès ‘Gift of Time’ exhibition held at the beautiful Art Deco Tanjong Pagar Railway Station earlier this month (they were part of the food section at the end, rather than anything to do with the actual exhibition…obviously).

Made with 100% natural ingredients that aren’t diluted with water, they wash, peel, squeeze, zest and juice everything themselves. There is also absolutely no added sugar (in place of sugar, where they have to, they use G.I friendly agave nectar).

They don’t taste at all virtuous though; they taste delicious and at the moment I’m ordering a batch a week.  I’ve had to limit myself to one a day, having fallen prey to thinking that if I eat three, my five-a-day fruit/veg intake will be substantially boosted. But I’m not so sure…

Not cheap, but worth it, their basic flavours are $4 and the more chi-chi flavours, $5.  Due to the fluctuating volume, demands and whims of their commercial orders (they supply 10 stores in Singapore), flavours are in and out of, not only favour, but stock, so email them first to find out what they’ve got.  Their website, while good, is not always bang up to date.

More like sophisticated sorbets on sticks, I love the Straight-up Raspberry and their Lemon Olive Oil (sounds a bit dubious but the very subtle hint of virgin olive oil softens the zesty lemon freshness perfectly).  The Really Orange reminds me of the ice lollies of my childhood – even though, weather-wise, there wasn’t much call for them in the wilds of Scotland.

The other thing to mention is that these lollies are nice and ‘fat’ – as in they have a generous side profile. You are actually getting quite a lot of lolly for your lolly:

They also make exotic lovelies such as Avocado Cacao Nibs but as much as I love my Indonesian avocado milkshakes, I’m not convinced (and, admittedly, yet to try).

They are a very cool, bright young company that deserve to be supported, shared and enjoyed.  Valerie Wee and Edrick Chua have been operational now for just over one year and hopefully, many more to come.

Check them out at: www.popaganda.com.sg.