Princeton-based premium ice cream brand expands distribution via FreshDirect

Heritage Kulfi, a premium ice cream brand that launched in Princeton, is making it even easier to get a sweet fix.

Founded by Mansoor Ahmed, the certified minority-owned company debuted its take on kulfi, a popular South Asian frozen dessert, in 2021, with a flavor portfolio that includes vanilla bean, saffron, rosewater, pistachio, earl grey, coconut, cardamom chai, alphonso mango, almond blossom and malai sweet cream.

Since then, the brand has expanded its distribution to include specialty grocery stores and natural markets and recently became available in the New York City metropolitan area via grocery delivery service FreshDirect. 

While Heritage Kulfi continues to grow its presence on the East Coast, Ahmed has his eye on other markets of the country, such as Los Angeles, Calif., and Chicago, Ill.

Ahmed, whose professional background includes experience in frozen food distribution, says he designed Heritage Kulfi to fill a gap in the market while offering a product unique to the premium ice cream space.

“Heritage Kulfi is unique in frozen desserts because of our ingredients, formulation, and process. On formulation, I spent nearly a year researching and developing each flavor recipe making sure all the ingredients were perfectly balanced. For certain flavors, I had to develop brand new processes in commercial ice cream making to replicate traditional slow-cooking methods, and not rely on extracts and flavorings. The result is that the consumer can absorb and appreciate each unique flavor profile,” he told NJBIZ.

All Heritage Kulfi products – which are egg-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, halal and kosher – come in sustainably sourced packaging.

“It’s a particularly exciting time for Heritage Kulfi because all the various efforts since launching in late 2021 are coming to fruition. On the retail availability front, we will be tripling our presence to nearly 1,000 retailers throughout our local Northeast area,” he said.

Heritage Kulfi was also just selected to participate in better-for-you and sustainable food wholesaler KeHE Distributors’ incubator to help grow promising, early stage brands. Through the Elevate program, KeHE provides startups with a platform to build up market presence and reach more stores nationwide.

Ahmed said he believe it will “put us on a fast-track to retailers across the country.”

“Overall, we are continuously creating loyal and new fans as we continue to spread the word about Heritage Kulfi, which I feel confident will be the next new thing in the ice cream category,” he added.

Speaking of the sweet stuff

After closing its doors late last year, beloved Teaneck ice cream shop Bischoff’s Confectionary is making a comeback. Click here to read its plans.