WELLS — When Lauren Guptill opened Rococo Ice Cream in 2012, she knew she had to do it differently. To paraphrase the artist Chris Ofili, “The kitchen is a laboratory, not a factory. An exhibition is the result of your experiments, but the process is never-ending.”

Originality and experimentation have been a core values at Rococo since the very start.

“I didn’t want people to be able to say, ‘Here’s this new girl with this new ice cream shop yet she’s making all of the same flavors we’ve tasted before,’” Guptill said when she opened her first shop in Kennebunkport, Maine. “And at the same time I thought, ‘Well, if I make creative flavors, new ones that are remarkably different, that no one has heard of before, than I won’t have to compete with the standards of the other ice cream shops in town.’”

Guptill’s decision to create completely original flavors was more than just a business decision. As an avid traveler and food lover, Guptill enjoys bringing tastes and cuisines from around the world to her home state of Maine. Flavors range from South African inspired Amarula Pecan, to Cuban Coffee, to locally sourced Strawberry Basil. Rococo’s slogan, “ice cream without borders” certainly fits.

When creating such unique flavors, Guptill starts with experimentation. Blending spices, fruits, vegetables, and sweet treats is a matter of trial and error—an evolving creative process. Much like the art and decor of 18th century Rococo period for which the company is named, Guptill’s final creations go beyond the status quo.

Starting this summer, customers will be able to experience and contribute to this creative process first-hand at the new Rococo Test Kitchen.

For Rococo, the opening of the Test Kitchen is both a step forward and a return to its roots. When Guptill was starting her business, she challenged herself to create only original flavors—you won’t find “vanilla” at Rococo. Globally inspired and locally sourced, Guptill’s unique and thoughtful blends of tastes and textures were quickly embraced by the Seacoast community and launched her to receive a coveted number 6 spot in Trip Advisors nationwide list of the best ice cream shop in 2014.

Guptill takes pride in the authenticity of her ice cream creations. Rococo frequently draws attention for its exotic and high quality flavors, being featured as some of the best ice cream in Maine by Yahoo Foods, New England Living, and even Mundo Heladero, a Spanish publication.

Rococo’s Test Kitchen is located in the Wells Plaza (Hannaford Plaza). The Test Kitchen will make use of Rococo’s adjacent ice cream production facility to produce small batches of brand new flavors. Eventually, the most popular and successful of these creations will be produced and distributed to Rococo’s shops throughout Southern Maine.

By opening the Test Kitchen to the public, Rococo is excited to engage with customers on every step of the creative journey. The Test Kitchen will share the tastes and inspirations behind each flavor with customers, and will be welcome to their feedback and new ideas.

Despite not being a classic scoop shop serving cones and cups, the Test Kitchen still maintains a friendly ice cream shop feel. Test Kitchen staff will serve up tastes of the new flavors, answer any questions customers may have, and take feedback on the tasting experience.

Though the Test Kitchen will open with flavors such as Cucumber Watermelon Sorbet, Chocolate Butterscotch, and Spinach Strawberry Balsamic, the test menu will be constantly changing. In addition to test flavors, Rococo’s Test Kitchen will sell pints of their most popular flavors (such as Maine Whoopie Pie and Spicy Rocky Road).

Featuring collaborative ice cream flavors with local Wells businesses and incorporating flavors from around the world, visitors to the Test Kitchen should prepare their taste buds for ice creams created from New England root vegetables, mediterranean herbs or spicy South American peppers.

The Test Kitchen officially opened its doors on June 28.   The shop will be open every day from 1 to 9 p.m. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on National Ice Cream Day—Sunday, July 15.

For more information, send and email to indulge@rococoicecream.com or call 251-6866.