Photo Credit: Nick RamaFood & Drink
Eat Local: SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet is a cool summer treat right here in Cypress
SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet was founded by Jasmine Chida and opened its Montrose location in 2012. March 2025 saw the first franchise in Cypress, which is owned by a couple who are fans of SweetCup and reside in Cypress, TX. Serving made from scratch fresh Gelato, sorbet, sundae, and milkshakes.
Growing up in Texas, Jasmine was only familiar with ice cream, but a honeymoon trip to Italy, changed that when, she fell in love with the food, culture, and, of course, gelato. That trip opened her eyes to what frozen desserts could be and the possibilities they held. Jasmine: “Gelato means ‘frozen’ in Italian and is the Italian way of making ice cream.”
Jasmine explained, “After my trip to Italy in 2011, I couldn’t find many authentic gelato shops in a huge city like Houston. So I was trying to find a solution to a problem (that was for me, I just wanted a cup of gelato, lol).”
“So I started making gelato at home and experimenting with different techniques and ideas. I read everything I could about gelato, ice cream, and frozen desserts. Then I went to Italy and took classes in dairy science and frozen desserts. I decided after a few months to venture out and open a kiosk or a small stand, then stumbled upon an abandoned Marble Slab on Montrose Blvd. That was a challenge to get started, because many people discouraged me from pursuing a gelato business with no culinary experience or background (only what I learned on my own and studied in Italy), but my determination and passion were stronger than the noise.”
Jasmine opened her first shop in 2012. “It was definitely a challenge and a struggle in the beginning, and the road to success wasn’t linear.”
“I failed as many times as I have succeeded. I’m grateful and proud of how far we have come and how we transitioned over the years. I still feel that we can always do better and be better as a brand and company everyday, even if it’s 1% every day.”
THE NAME:
A simple name with a lot of sentiment.
“Growing up, my father was the one who got me into ice cream (he was a big fan of ice cream and frozen desserts). When I was little, he would always say, ‘Let’s go get a sweet cup,’ which meant let’s get a treat (ice cream, of course). I always knew it was ice cream time when he would say that.”
THE VIBE:
“Montrose is our flagship store, and the vibe in Montrose is very casual and no-frills—the focus is primarily on the gelato and sorbet, and it has an “OG” vibe at the same time. It reflects our humble beginnings, struggles, passion, and determination. Cypress is a newer development and reflects a more family-friendly, warm, and community-centered vibe.”
THE INSPIRATION:
“Inspiration comes from many things, nostalgia from some favorite desserts and dishes from my childhood, growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and global travels. My mom makes a fantastic baklava (it was my grandma’s recipe), so I make that in gelato form and named it Mom’s Baklava Gelato!”
A lot of Jasmine’s inspiration comes from her mom. Growing up, Jasmine’s mom was very creative and would substitute ingredients when she didn’t have them on hand, making delicious dishes and desserts based simply on what the family had in the pantry or fridge at the time. This had an impact on Jasmine and how she approaches creating each unique flavor.
THE GOODS:
“Honoring the gelato tradition with our unique Texas flair and spirit. We like to honor the diversity and culinary scene of Texas through our flavors.”
When possible SweetCup sources their ingredients locally and what’s in season. One of the fun things they like to do is visit Moorhead’s Blueberry Farm in Conroe, TX, every summer to pick fresh, local blueberries and create different flavors such as Blueberry Sangria Sorbet and H-Town’s Blue Moon Gelato.
Some flavors that started as test flavors and became very popular (and permanent on the menu) are Vanilla Bean Tres Leches: “I’m not much of a vanilla fan. I started working on this flavor because I wanted to make vanilla more fun for myself, and growing up in Texas, who doesn’t love a tres leches flavor? So I created the Vanilla Bean Tres Leches Gelato, which, in my opinion, is a level up from traditional vanilla or vanilla bean. It’s one of our most popular flavors and outsells the regular vanilla or vanilla bean at our shops and with our chef clients.” We have 48 different flavors on display at all times.
THE OWNERS / CHEFS / MANAGERS’ FAVORITES:
Jasmine: Too hard to pick since all of them have a special meaning to me. I would have to say the first flavor I tried on my trip to Italy was Bacio Gelato (chocolate-hazelnut).
Cypress Owners: Vietnamese Coffee or Pistachio
Ahmed – Cypress Manager: Pistachio
Esmeralda – Cypress Shift Lead: Banana Pudding
WHAT THE LOCALS ARE ORDERING:
Gelato (Classic):
Pistachio (made with pure Sicilian pistachios), Vanilla Bean Tres Leches (a level up from regular vanilla, made with whole, condensed, and evaporated milk and pure Tahitian vanilla bean), Stracciatella (sweet cream + chocolate chip), Tiramisu, Banana Pudding, and Mascarpone & Berries.
Gelato (Specialty):
Toasted Black Sesame, Saffron-Pistachio (made with Persian saffron), Dubai Chocolate, Malai Kulfi (a spin on an Indian frozen dessert made with cardamom spice), and 713 (represents Houston’s diverse culinary scene—made with chocolate-covered Fritos, candied pecans, soy sauce, saffron, coffee, and sesame seeds).
Sorbet:
Leonard’s Chocolate, Blueberry Sangria (made with local blueberries from Moorhead’s Blueberry Farm and red wine), Grapefruit Lavender, Lychee, Mangonada (our mango sorbet mixed with zesty chamoy sauce), Raspberry Piña (pineapple).
Sundae:
Texas Sheet Cake – made with your choice of vanilla or milk chocolate gelato, our fudgy sheet cake, candied pecans, house-made butter caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream and a Texas flag.
Milkshake:
Banana Pudding and Cookies & Cream.
Coffee Drinks:
Affogato (which means “drowned” in Italian)—a scoop of gelato drowned in espresso and topped with whipped cream.
Soft Serve:
Coming soon, later this month at the Montrose location.
Push-Up Pops:
Orange, Raspberry Piña (pineapple), Strawberry, Blueberry Sangria.
Other:
Our marshmallow is made from scratch, toasted on a stick, and added to your cup, cone, or milkshake.
COMMUNITY:
SweetCup supports various schools and communities through donations at both locations.
For Montrose, Jasmine visits the Hester House in the Fifth Ward of Houston and teaches a summer mentorship class about entrepreneurship and gelato to students.
Cypress supports local rescues like: Belle’s Buds, HTX Dogs, and Sauver Des Chiens.
CATERING:
Pans of Gelato are available for order. Customize your own Gelato gift box. Three sizes available, Large (up to a dozen unique flavors), Medium (up to six unique flavors), $23.99 Small (up to four unique flavors).
WRAPPING IT ALL UP:
Any shout-outs to your team?
“Yes, our awesome Montrose team—Andrea and Lauviah—for taking care of the OG store. Our Cypress franchisees and their team believe in the SweetCup brand and brought it to Cypress. Our hardworking production team at our production facility. And of course, my husband, family, friends, and customers for their continued support!”
Jasmine attributes their success so far to “hard work and grit. It’s easy to give up and throw in the towel, but when you have passion for what you do and you believe in yourself, it makes it a bit easier to keep holding on. And focusing on what’s important for SweetCup—just stay in your lane, keep going, and ignore all the noise.”
“At SweetCup, we’re not just selling and serving a product—it’s an experience in every scoop.”
Any big plans or changes for the future?
Soft Serve Sundaes are coming soon to our Montrose location, and a new pick-up location is in the works.
Stay tuned to their social media channels for monthly specials and rotating flavors.
5 Words to Describe SweetCup Gelato & Sorbet?
Original. Fresh. Diverse. Fun. Interesting.
LOCATIONS & CONTACT
SweetCup – Montrose
3939 Montrose Blvd. Ste L Houston, TX 77006
Hours of Operation:
Monday: 3–9 PM
Tuesday–Thursday: 12–10 PM
Friday–Saturday: 12–10:30 PM
Sunday: 12–10 PM
SweetCup – Cypress
20711 Tuckerton Rd #200 Cypress, TX 77433
Hours of Operation:
Monday: 12–9 PM
Tuesday–Thursday: 12–10 PM
Friday–Saturday: 11 AM–11 PM
Sunday: 12–10 PM
Website: sweetcupgelato.com
Facebook: SweetCup Gelato
Nick Rama is a food writer, contributor to Hello Cypress, and shares his restaurant experiences on Nick’s Local Eats at NicksLocalEats.com and on social media Facebook, Instagram, and Cypress NW Houston Eateries on Facebook. Nick enjoys helping small business owners, supporting his community by fundraising for food banks, animal shelters and plans tasting events with locally owned mom and pop restaurants.
