Peterborough welcomes a new small business, Cold Duck Creamery, founded by Iola Pryz-Taylor. Specializing in frozen custard, the company stands out by using sustainably sourced local ingredients, most notably farm-fresh duck eggs, to create a richer, creamier dessert experience. This venture reflects Pryz-Taylor’s commitment to her roots in sustainable living and brings a distinctive product to the local market.
Contents
Key takeaways:
- Cold Duck Creamery makes frozen custard using locally sourced ingredients, including duck eggs.
- Duck eggs provide a unique richness and creaminess compared to traditional ice cream.
- The business currently operates online with local pickup and plans to expand with a concession trailer and future agritourism farm location.
The Secret Behind the Creaminess: Duck Eggs
At the heart of Cold Duck Creamery’s product is its not-so-secret ingredient: duck eggs. Owner Iola Pryz-Taylor explains that these eggs are higher in fat and nutrients than chicken eggs, contributing significantly to the custard’s texture and flavor. This results in a dessert that is notably thicker, richer, and creamier than standard ice cream.
Sourcing is a key part of the business philosophy. The duck eggs come from Honeycomb Poultry Patch in Carrying Place, Ont. This commitment to local suppliers extends to other ingredients, such as Canadian milk and coffee beans and tea sourced directly from Peterborough.
Sustainable Ingredients and Unique Flavors
Beyond the duck eggs, Cold Duck Creamery emphasizes a broader commitment to sustainable and local sourcing. Inspired by her grandmother’s farm, Pryz-Taylor aims to use as many local ingredients as possible, offering transparency about everything that goes into her frozen custard. She focuses on making small batches to ensure maximum freshness.
The menu features a mix of unique and traditional flavors. Alongside classic chocolate and strawberry, customers can find intriguing options like banana bread, cold brew coffee, and London Fog. While Pryz-Taylor is partial to the London Fog, the banana bread flavor has quickly become a customer favorite.
From Kitchen Creation to Market Expansion
Currently, Cold Duck Creamery operates primarily through online orders, with customers picking up their treats from Pryz-Taylor’s home, where she prepares the custard in a certified industrial kitchen. She notes that setting up this kitchen was partly made possible by a grant from the Starter Company Plus program, highlighting the supportive environment for small businesses in Peterborough.
Tubs of unique frozen custard from Cold Duck Creamery made with duck eggs
Looking ahead, the business is set for expansion. Pryz-Taylor has purchased a concession trailer which she plans to take to local markets and vendor events. This move is designed to increase visibility for Cold Duck Creamery, allowing more people to sample the unique product before purchasing and experience the quality firsthand.
Future Vision: A Farm Destination
The long-term goal for Cold Duck Creamery is ambitious and ties back to Pryz-Taylor’s farming roots. She aspires to purchase farmland and develop an agritourism destination. This would create a unique location where visitors could not only purchase frozen custard but also experience the source of the ingredients and the sustainable practices behind the business.
Cold Duck Creamery brings a distinctive product and a strong farm-to-dessert philosophy to the Peterborough community. With plans for expansion via a concession trailer and a future farm location, the business is poised to share its unique, duck-egg-based frozen custard with a wider audience.
