Peterborough’s food scene is getting a distinct new flavor profile thanks to Cold Duck Creamery, a small business founded by Iola Pryz-Taylor. Specializing in frozen custard made with locally sourced ingredients, its key differentiator is the use of fresh-farm duck eggs, offering a creamier, richer treat compared to traditional ice cream.
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Key Takeaways:
- Cold Duck Creamery offers frozen custard made with locally sourced duck eggs for unique richness.
- Owner Iola Pryz-Taylor focuses on sustainable practices and knowing ingredient origins.
- The business currently operates via online orders for pickup.
- Future plans include a concession trailer and potential agritourism farm.
A Taste of Tradition and Sustainability
Iola Pryz-Taylor’s journey into frozen custard is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Growing up on her grandmother’s farm instilled in her a commitment to sustainable living and understanding where food comes from. These principles are the foundation of Cold Duck Creamery.
Pryz-Taylor describes her venture as a return to her roots, emphasizing the joy of using as many local ingredients as possible. She highlights that knowing the source of ingredients is important to her and is something she offers her customers transparently.
The Secret Ingredient: Why Duck Eggs?
What truly sets Cold Duck Creamery’s frozen custard apart is its not-so-secret ingredient: fresh-farm duck eggs. Pryz-Taylor explains that duck eggs have a higher fat and nutrient content than standard chicken eggs.
“Duck eggs are definitely higher in fat and nutrients, so the egg itself provides just more of a creamy and whole flavour than regular chicken eggs,” she notes. This difference results in a noticeably thicker, richer, and dreamier frozen custard.
From Farm to Freezer: Sourcing Local Flavors
The commitment to local sourcing extends beyond duck eggs. The duck eggs themselves come from Honeycomb Poultry Patch in Carrying Place, Ontario. These are combined with Canadian milk, and other flavor elements like coffee beans and tea are sourced directly from Peterborough suppliers.
Cold Duck Creamery offers a rotating menu featuring both classic and unique flavors. Alongside traditional chocolate and strawberry, customers can find inventive options like banana bread, cold brew coffee, and London fog. While the London Fog is a personal favorite of Pryz-Taylor, the banana bread flavor has quickly become a customer favorite.
Owner Iola Pryz-Taylor of Cold Duck Creamery scooping unique frozen custard made with local duck eggs in Peterborough.
Operating on a small-batch basis is key to maintaining freshness, ensuring that product isn’t sitting on shelves. Currently, customers can place online orders for pickup directly from Pryz-Taylor’s home, where she produces the custard in an industrial kitchen. This setup was made possible, in part, by support from a grant received from the Starter Company Plus program, highlighting the strong support for small businesses within the Peterborough community.
Growing the Business and Looking Ahead
Looking to expand reach and offer customers a chance to taste before they buy, Pryz-Taylor’s next step is launching a concession trailer. She plans to take the trailer to local markets and vendor events.
“I think that will help get Cold Duck Creamery’s name out there. People can sample the product before they decided to buy it and have a taste of what I am all about,” she says. This mobility will make the unique frozen custard accessible to a wider audience in and around Peterborough.
The long-term vision for Cold Duck Creamery is even more ambitious, aiming towards agritourism. Pryz-Taylor hopes to eventually purchase farmland where people can visit, learn about the sourcing process, and enjoy the frozen custard on-site.
Cold Duck Creamery represents a blend of tradition, innovation, and community focus, bringing a distinctive and high-quality frozen treat to the Peterborough market.
To learn more about local business developments and food ventures in the region, explore related articles on our site.
