Supply problems and soaring demand has caused a shortage of the crumbliest chocolate that traditionally elevates ice-cream cones to 99 status. Despite the cold start to the summer, demand for mini Flakes has intensified in recent weeks while supply has struggled to keep up, and 99s are now at risk of disappearing from shops, vans and ice-cream parlours entirely. Paddy O’Donnell’s Clarmac business supplies Flakes to ice-cream vendors across the country, but he said his supplies were dwindling. It is the first time I heard of a shortage like this.”He said half of his supply was gone already. The 99 is so-called in honour of the elite guard made up of 99 soldiers who traditionally protected Italian monarchs.

Source: The Irish Times May 17, 2021 03:05 UTC