NEW YORK – Premium ice cream maker Heritage Kulfi announced it was selected to participate in KeHE elevate, a new and emerging brands program from KeHE Distributors that connects brands with retailers nationwide.

Heritage Kulfi shared that it plans to capitalize on its involvement in the platform, with a target to expand distribution during the next two years “from the Northeast and Midwest to all areas of the country.”

Mansoor Ahmed, Heritage Kulfi’s founder and chief executive officer, said he designed the company’s signature product to fill a gap in the mainstream market with classic South Asian flavors and a creamy, traditional kulfi.

"The intent was to use high-quality, authentic ingredients and methods when developing each flavor,” Ahmed said. “Building on my own nostalgia for the South Asian food and desserts of my childhood in New York allowed me to confidently create something that I know others would equally enjoy.”

KeHE senior category manager Kelly Stockdale said a brand has to offer “something new and unique” to get selected for the emerging brand program. She said Heritage Kulfi’s “unique flavors and beautiful packaging, along with a growing demand for travel through taste buds” led to KeHE’s sales team and retail partners voting to choose the premium ice cream brand.

Per Heritage Kulfi, its products are handcrafted by simmering locally sourced ingredients overnight, and the cream’s milk proteins are caramelized and browned before being frozen – leading to a dense, creamy texture and “rich dairy notes.”

The company has 10 classic South Asian flavors: Alphonso Mango, Cardamom Chai, Coconut, Earl Grey, Pistachio, Rosewater, Saffron, Vanilla Bean, Malai Sweet Cream and Almond Blossom. The company also shared that it is developing vegan and dairy alternative varieties, as well.

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

KeHE’s elevate program involves 67 suppliers and the company said brands that are chosen outperform other new brands “with 170% more points of distribution on average.”