# Elaka Treats > Elaka Treats is a frozen treat company based in Greensboro, North Carolina, founded by Shafna Shamsuddin. It makes all-natural, globally inspired frozen treats (frozen desserts and sorbets) with small batch quality, locally made in North Carolina, with cardamom in every flavor ("elakka" is the Malayalam word for cardamom). Elaka sells 4-packs online that ship frozen on dry ice, offers local pickup in Greensboro, supplies restaurants, cafes, hotels and retailers wholesale, and caters events and pop-ups. ## Key facts - Based in: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA - Founder: Shafna Shamsuddin, originally from Kerala, India - Products: 11 frozen treat flavors, including sorbets, sold as single-flavor 4-packs and curated 4-packs - Dietary: 10 of 11 flavors are gluten free; 3 are vegan. Check each product page for its badges and ingredients. - Shipping: ships frozen on dry ice nationwide, once a week on Wednesdays (orders by Tuesday 12pm ET ship that Wednesday; later orders ship the following Wednesday). Delivery takes 1 to 3 days: UPS Ground across much of the East, South and Central US, UPS 3 Day Select everywhere else. Details: https://elakatreats.com/pages/shipping - Wholesale: https://elakatreats.com/pages/wholesale - Events, catering and pop-ups: https://elakatreats.com/pages/events - North Carolina partners: Videri Chocolate Factory (Raleigh), French Broad Chocolates, Tidewater, Work Bench Roasters (Wendell) - Greensboro stockists include Scuppernong Books, Hotel Denim and Taaza Bistro ## Flavors - [Z's Lemonade 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/zs-lemonade-4-pack): Z, the brainchild of Elaka Treats’ creative genius, embodies the essence of our brand. Born from Z’s request for his 4th birthday, this flavor captures the delightful tanginess reminiscent of a perfect lemonade. Loved by Z and countless children across... - [Vanilla Milk 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/vanilla-milk-4-pack): Our Vanilla Milk is a rich blend of cardamom, vanilla bean, sea salt, Tellicherry black pepper, and ghee, offering a unique and flavorful experience. For a refreshing upgrade, try Karen’s Peppermint Vanilla Milk with all-natural peppermint extract added to the... - [Strawberry Hot Chocolate 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/strawberry-hot-chocolate-4-pack): We’ve combined two comforting treats beloved by our creator, hot chocolate and fresh strawberries. We use all-natural Hot Chocolate Mix by Videri Chocolate Factory, to execute our Hot Chocolate flavor and then combine in layers with our fresh Strawberry frozen... - [Rose 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/rose-4-pack): Flavored by rose water, this is a flavor that the Middle Easterners have perfected. Balance between rose and almonds is what makes this flavor a dreamlike delight.Key ingredients: Rose water and almond.In the pack: four containers of Rose.Dietary: Gluten free... - [Q'ahwa (Coffee) 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/qahwa-coffee-4-pack): Q’ahwa is a custom-roasted, Arabic coffee beverage that combines cardamom and dates. It’s so much more than a drink--it’s a ritual that brings people together to talk and relax. Our Q’awha is made with Work Bench Roaster’s coffee, which is... - [Plantain 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/plantain-4-pack): One of our first two flavors, this plantain-and-coconut flavor celebrates our founder’s hometown, Kerala, India, and its love of plantains and coconuts. Unlike the rest of India where plantains are not one of the main dietary staples, this flavor is... - [Carolina Peach Sonker 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/carolina-peach-sonker-4-pack): A creative twist on the traditional North Carolina Surry County pie, Surry Sonker. The result of native attempts to make use of fruits from their backyards in creating a quick, easy and high yielding dessert, we are paying tribute to... - [Sulaimani Sorbet 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/sulaimani-sorbet-4-pack): Sulaimani is a black tea with cardamom and lemon. It is as simple as that! But what it represents is more than just a flavor or a drink. In Muslim households throughout South India and the Middle East, Sulaimani is... - [Pineapple Hibiscus Sorbet 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/pineapple-hibiscus-sorbet-4-pack): A tribute to Arabian markets known as ‘Souks,’ this flavor is a frozen memory of all that the market represented. From the exotic fresh juices and hot appetizers from food vendors to nuts and spice vendors, to colorful textiles, to... - [Jinn's Peanut Unda 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/jinns-peanut-unda-4-pack): We decided to take the quintessentially American flavor of peanut butter and chocolate, and pair it with a premium vegan peanut treat from Kerala (India). The result is an intentionally gritty flavor using local North Carolina ingredients: Tidewater Carolina’s gold... - [Kulfi 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/kulfi-4-pack): Kulfi, a traditional Indian frozen dessert introduced by the Persian Mughals during their rule from the 16th to 19th centuries, has reigned as the king of frozen treats in India. It is traditionally not churned but simply frozen; we proudly... ## Seasonal flavors - Karak Chai: a seasonal flavor that is not available year-round. When it's not available, the closest flavors are [Sulaimani Sorbet](https://elakatreats.com/products/sulaimani-sorbet-4-pack) (spiced black tea, vegan) and [Q'ahwa](https://elakatreats.com/products/qahwa-coffee-4-pack) (Arabic coffee with cardamom), both from the spiced tea and coffee tradition. The [Sip & Scoop 4-pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/sip-scoop-4-pack) includes both. ## Curated packs - [Spice Route 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/spice-route-4-pack): Follow the spices from Kerala to the souks. Saffron-and-pistachio Kulfi, Rose with almond, Vanilla Milk with Tellicherry black pepper, and Jinn's Peanut Unda with jaggery and cardamom: four warm, fragrant... - [Fruit Stand 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/fruit-stand-4-pack): A market basket of our most fruit-forward flavors. Pineapple Hibiscus Sorbet with its pistachio-habanero crunch, Plantain with coconut and cashews, Carolina Peach Sonker with pancake and orange blossom, and Strawberry... - [Sip & Scoop 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/sip-scoop-4-pack): Four of our favorite drinks, frozen. Q'ahwa brings Arabic coffee with cardamom and dates, Sulaimani Sorbet is the spiced black tea poured at the end of a Kerala feast, Strawberry... - [Midnight Cravings 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/midnight-cravings-4-pack): We warned you: Elaka may cause unexpected cravings at any time. This is the pack for when they hit. Saffron-and-pistachio Kulfi, rich Vanilla Milk with cardamom and black pepper, Rose... - [Golden Hour 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/golden-hour-4-pack): Made for that warm, late-afternoon light. Tangy Z's Lemonade, Pineapple Hibiscus Sorbet with a little pistachio-habanero kick, Sulaimani Sorbet (black tea, cardamom and lemon, traditionally served as a refreshing finish... - [Family Favorites 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/family-favorites-4-pack): The pack that keeps the whole table happy. Z's Lemonade started as a 4th-birthday request and became a favorite with kids everywhere. Add Strawberry Hot Chocolate, creamy Plantain, and Rose... - [Carolina Made 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/carolina-made-4-pack): Global recipes, North Carolina roots. Every flavor in this pack leans on our home state: Carolina Peach Sonker honors a Surry County pie, Strawberry Hot Chocolate uses Raleigh's Videri Chocolate... - [Kerala Roots 4-Pack](https://elakatreats.com/products/kerala-roots-4-pack): This is where Elaka began. Our founder grew up in Kerala, India, where plantains and coconuts are everywhere, and Plantain, one of our very first flavors, is our love letter... ## Pages - [Our Story](https://elakatreats.com/pages/our-story) - [All flavors](https://elakatreats.com/collections/all-flavors) - [Gluten-free flavors](https://elakatreats.com/collections/gluten-free) - [Vegan flavors](https://elakatreats.com/collections/vegan) - [Contact](https://elakatreats.com/pages/contact) ## Journal - [How to Ship Ice Cream Without It Melting (and How We Do It)](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/how-to-ship-ice-cream): Dry ice or gel packs? Overnight or 2-day? Here's how to ship ice cream so it arrives frozen solid, how to handle dry ice safely, and how we ship Elaka's... - [How to Build an Ice Cream Bar for a Party (That Guests Remember)](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/how-to-build-an-ice-cream-bar): Quantities per guest, setup tricks to stop melting, toppings that suit global flavors, dietary labels and wedding ideas: everything you need for a memorable ice cream bar. - [The Frozen Dessert Gift Guide: Treats That Arrive Frozen](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/frozen-dessert-gift-guide): The right frozen treats for every occasion, from birthdays and holidays to corporate gifts and care packages, plus how to make sure your gift arrives frozen. - [Q'ahwa (Coffee): Arabic Coffee, Cardamom and Dates, Frozen](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/qahwa-coffee-flavor-story): Inspired by qahwa, the Arabic coffee served with cardamom and dates, our Q'ahwa uses Ethiopian coffee from Wendell's Work Bench Roasters. Here's the story and how to enjoy it. - [Z's Lemonade: The Frozen Treat Born From a 4th-Birthday Wish](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/zs-lemonade-flavor-story): Z asked for lemonade for his 4th birthday, and a family favorite was born. Here's the story of Z's Lemonade, a quick history of lemonade and how to serve it. - [Vanilla Milk: Vanilla Bean, Ghee and Kerala's Famous Tellicherry Pepper](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/vanilla-milk-flavor-story): Vanilla, but deeper: vanilla bean, cardamom, sea salt, ghee and Tellicherry black pepper from Kerala. Here's the story behind Vanilla Milk and why the pepper matters. - [Strawberry Hot Chocolate: Two Favorite Treats in One Spoonful](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/strawberry-hot-chocolate-flavor-story): Fresh strawberries meet Videri Chocolate Factory's hot chocolate from Raleigh, with a touch of cardamom. Here's the story behind Strawberry Hot Chocolate and how to enjoy it. - [Rose: The Flower-Scented Frozen Dessert Perfected in the Middle East](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/rose-flavor-story): Rose water has perfumed sweets from Turkish delight to gulab jamun for centuries. Here's the story of Elaka's Rose, what it tastes like with almond, and how to serve it. - [Plantain: The Flavor Where Elaka Began](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/plantain-flavor-story): Ripe plantain, coconut and cashews: one of our very first flavors and a celebration of Kerala. Here's the story, the ingredients and how to serve it. - [Kulfi: Saffron, Cardamom and Pistachio, Churned Our Way](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/kulfi-flavor-story): Our Signature flavor: milk, cardamom, saffron and pistachio in the kesar pista tradition. Here's why we churn it, what's inside and how to serve it. - [Carolina Peach Sonker: A Surry County Classic, Frozen](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/carolina-peach-sonker-flavor-story): Sonker is Surry County's own deep-dish fruit dessert. Here's its story, where to taste it, and how we turned it into a peach, pancake and orange blossom frozen treat. - [Sulaimani Sorbet: The Tea That Ends Every Feast](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/sulaimani-sorbet-flavor-story): Black tea, cardamom and lemon: Sulaimani is the drink that ends a Malabar feast. Here's what it is, where the name might come from, and the sorbet we made for... - [Jinn's Peanut Unda: Peanut Butter and Chocolate, Kerala Style](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/jinns-peanut-unda-flavor-story): America's favorite combo meets a vegan peanut treat from Kerala. Here's what unda is, why this flavor is gritty on purpose, and how to serve it. - [Pineapple Hibiscus Sorbet: A Souk in Every Spoonful](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/pineapple-hibiscus-sorbet-flavor-story): Our tribute to the Arabian souks: fresh pineapple juice, hibiscus and cardamom with a pistachio-habanero brittle. Here's the story, the ingredients and how to serve it. - [The Best Ice Cream in North Carolina: A Road Trip by Region](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/best-ice-cream-north-carolina): From Asheville's oldest ice creamery to a Greensboro shop open since 1906 and the beach stands of the Outer Banks, here's a region-by-region guide to North Carolina's best scoops. - [Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Ice Cream: How to Choose (and What to Try)](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/best-dairy-free-ice-cream): Coconut, oat, cashew or sorbet? Here's how to pick a dairy-free or gluten-free frozen dessert, what to check on the label, and the vegan and gluten-free Elaka flavors worth trying. - [Sorbet vs Gelato vs Ice Cream vs Kulfi: What's the Difference?](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/sorbet-gelato-ice-cream-kulfi-differences): Ice cream has a legal definition, gelato doesn't, and sorbet and sherbet differ by one letter and a little milkfat. Here's how every major frozen dessert compares, kulfi included. - [Mexican Ice Cream, Paletas and Nieves: A Field Guide](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/mexican-ice-cream-paletas): Helado, nieve or paleta? Here's a field guide to Mexican ice cream, from Tocumbo's paleterías to Oaxaca's hand-churned nieves, plus the flavors to order. - [Booza: The Stretchy Arabic Ice Cream (and Its Cousins)](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/booza-arabic-ice-cream): Booza, the stretchy Arabic ice cream of Damascus, gets its chew from sahlab and mastic. Here's how it's made, where it's famous, and its cousins from Turkey to Iran. - [Ice Cream Around the World: 15 Frozen Desserts Every Food Lover Should Try](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/ice-cream-around-the-world): From stretchy Syrian booza to Filipino halo-halo, here are 15 frozen desserts from around the world, where they come from and what makes each one special. - [What Is Kulfi? The Frozen Dessert South Asia Has Loved for Centuries](https://elakatreats.com/blogs/journal/what-is-kulfi): Kulfi is South Asia's dense, slow-melting frozen dessert made from simmered milk. Here's its history, how it differs from ice cream, the flavors to try and where to find it.