New Delhi, May 29 -- The queues form after dinner. Families crowd pavements, teenagers sit around on scooters, and ice-cream sellers work at frenetic speed. In a state where prohibition has shaped nightlife, ice cream is the outing of choice. Gujarat is India's unofficial ice cream capital. It is home to some of India's most recognisable brands: Amul, Vadilal, Havmor and, more recently, Hocco. But apart from supermarket freezers and corporate success, the ice-cream story here also lives in neighbourhood parlours, family-run businesses, and local flavours.

Across India, the ice-cream market is booming. According to market research company Research and Markets, the sector-valued at Rs.312.76 billion in 2025-is projected to touch Rs.1.19 tr...