Bebop is dairy-free and made entirely with plant fats, using a blend of ingredients including cashew, coconut, almond, oats, soy and rice to recreate the creaminess and texture of conventional ice cream.
The brand was created to address what GTE Foods sees as a tension in the ice cream category: consumers enjoy the product but may associate it with indulgence, bloating and high calorie content.
The brand is also targeting consumers who want to enjoy ice cream without adding as many calories to their diet. Pan said this includes people who are conscious of weight gain but still want to indulge, positioning Bebop as an option that allows them to enjoy ice cream while being more mindful of their calorie intake.
“Everyone loves ice cream, but you tend to feel guilty and bloated after eating it. So we want to change that. We created an ice cream that is tasty but not so bad for your health,” said GTE Foods co-founder and general manager David Pan, who co-created Bebop.
“We’re targeting people who like ice cream but are afraid to eat it anymore, because it’s all about health and protein. When you think about health, ice cream becomes not so appealing, even though you love it. So we’re making it for people who like ice cream but want to have a healthier version.”
For Bebop, the opportunity ultimately comes down to making health compatible with the experience consumers expect from ice cream — rather than asking them to choose between the two.
The company is focusing initially on Asian markets including Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea, as well as Australia. Singapore and Japan are its starting markets, partly because of proximity.
Pan said these markets are attractive because of their interest in health and premium products. Bebop is currently positioned at a higher price point of TWD120 (US$3.76) for a 3.5-oz (103ml) serving.
He sees Japan as particularly important because of its consumers’ appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.
Pan said there is already demand for similar products, but many competitors produce them by hand. GTE Foods believes its own modern manufacturing facility gives it greater control over production and the ability to scale.
China remains a potential market since there is increasing focus on health in the country.
But health and quality alone will not be enough. Taste, Pan said, remains a priority.
Combining health with indulgence
“Bebop is ice cream reimagined. It’s not just sweet; there are layers of flavours that come out over time. In the beginning, you taste something, and then after that, you taste something in the middle. It’s not so sweet that it just hits you with sugar, but it’s sweet enough,” Pan said.
“It’s made with healthy plant fats – basicially good plant ingredients blended together so that it’s tasty and flavourful. Importantly, it has half the calories compared to traditional mainstream ice cream. Our Cookies & Coconut Cream – which tastes very much like Oreo’s Cookies & Cream – is 175 calories per 3.5-oz (103ml) serving. Other brands are easily 300 to 350 calories per serving.”
Bebop ice cream positions itself as a fully plant-based ice cream.
Its Banana Caramel Cookies ice cream has banana, coconut oil and oat cookies; while its Chocolate Trane Frozen Dessert contains cashew.
Bebop is currently available through retailers across Taiwan, including supermarkets and speciality stores. It also offers larger-format products for foodservice, including flavours formulated specifically to pair with desserts.
