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Published on February 26, 2008

Sour-mango slices with chilli, sugar and salt have always been a favourite snack and now that same delicious sweet taste with a spicy after-bite is being savoured by discerning Thais at a leading ice-cream parlour.

"Mango and Spice" sorbet is the latest flavour to be introduced by the ever-creative Atchara Burarak, co-founder of the popular Iberry chain, which currently offers more than 150 different iced delights, with an ever-expanding range guided by the fruits in season.

Atchara and her older brother Wiwat launched Iberry just eight years ago, aiming to capture a niche adult market and focusing on sorbets using Thai fruits like custard apple, santol and tamarind.

"I never intended to become a businesswoman," she smiles. "My dream was to have an ice-cream parlour. Now I have 18 of them."

The latest branch is in Chiang Mai, on Nimmanhemin 17 road, close to the university.

The shop's cosy and homey ambience reflects the cheerful character of Udom Taepanich, who took care of the interior design and whose abstract paintings featuring his big nose decorate the walls.

Atchara says she underestimated the popularity of this new shop. "It's become the 'in' place to hang out."

Right now, she's busy decorating Iberry number 19 at Rangsit University and renovating the branches in Thonglor and Siam Square. The new shops, she says, well be neater and sleeker. "I guess I've grown up," she laughs.

Beyond the eye-catching colourful polka-dot logo and the distinctive interior designs, Atchara's attention to detail is most evident in her signature ice creams, which have been the real secret of the chain's fame.

At Iberry, the sorbets are a surprising bunch of characters. Seasonal flavours mix with the refreshingly unexpected - like the mango-and-spice blend. "I've always used seasonal tropical fruits as the main ingredients for my ices and I was inspired by the natural tastes of Japanese deserts to try different blends and add some artistic frills.

"Take the Japanese kidney-bean dessert and its many variations - mango has the same kind of versatility. I don't want to serve my fruit the same way other people, so I like to try new styles."

But Atchara emphasis that she's not alone at Iberry and that credit must also go to her team and business partners. And even with a great concept and a strong team, she adds, Iberry wouldn't be such a success without its many friends.

"My working principle is to be honest and never treat my business partners as anything less than respected friends. Goodwill and networking are vital," she notes.

"I compare Iberry to a woman," she adds. "I think people like her because she is trendy, but not too young, sweet or fancy. "She's modern, with some fantastic ideas."

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation