As the world’s biggest exporter of milk products, it’s hardly surprising that Kiwis love to drink so much of it.
They drink it neat, full fat, low fat, calcium-enriched or in any other number of ways.
But milk comes into its own when whisked with a dollop of ice cream and milkshake flavouring. Until the 1990s, most suburban dairies had a rack of bottled flavourings and could whip up a single (one scoop of ice cream) or a double shake within minutes.
Shakes are making a comeback with a growing number of cafes now treating them as specialty drinks.
It’s even led to the launch in 2015 of a national competition to find New Zealand’s best milkshakes with entries judged against four key criteria – uniqueness, texture, aesthetic appeal and of course, taste.
New Zealand’s best milkshake
Top choice
Ice Chocolux Shake
Made by Lulu and Max Cafe which has since closed
Hastings
Regional winners
Chocodream Shake
Made by Snacks & Scoops
2033 Great North Rd, Avondale, Auckland
Woohoo, My Mango’s Got Pashinit Shake
Made by Espy Café
10 Esplanade, Whitianga
Mandarin Chocolate Stracciatella Shake
Made by Blenheim Railway Café & Ice Creamery
2 Grove Road, Mayfield, Blenheim
The 2016 competition was judged by food writer Nici Wickes and received more than 300 competition entries, and more than 26,000 public votes to help narrow the choices.
Previous winners
Top choice
Aw Fudge I Crushed My Nuts Shake
Made by Espy Café
10 Esplanade, Whitianga
Regional winners
Snacks & Scoops
2033 Great North Rd, Avondale, Auckland
Scott Drive Foursquare
29 Scott Dr, Flaxmere, Hastings
Halswell Dairy
456 Halswell Road, Halswell, Christchurch
The 2015 competition was judged by milkshake judge Deanna Yang who travelled the country, checking out the best entries from 320 cafes, dairies and bars.
Source: Anchor Milk’s Best Milkshake Competition.
