Taste Test Fun: Exploring New Ice Cream Flavors with Friends

Ice cream comes in countless flavors. Vanilla is the preferred choice of numerous individuals, probably because it can be customized in many ways. One can add syrup, sprinkles, and other options to alter the taste. Research shows vanilla is three times more popular than chocolate, which comes second on the list of American favorites. Thirty-three percent of the public choose vanilla, while less than ten percent select chocolate. Other flavors fall further down on the list.

Choices

Humans like choices in life, and their ice cream flavor is no exception. People may choose a flavor with nuts, candy, cookie bits, fruit, and more when they want ice cream. They don’t have to eat the same thing every time and can choose a flavor based on their mood or something else. Certain flavors are packaged, so a person can go into a store and pick out what they want. Other flavors may be blended at a local ice cream shop so customers can have their treat made to order.

Regardless of a person’s flavor, they can add toppings to make it their own. All toppings and add-ins can be used with any flavor. Nothing stops a person from creating a new flavor and getting ice cream out they love. Surprisingly, genetics may play a role in which flavor a person loves and what toppings they might add.

Love for Ice Cream

Americans eat an average of 48 pints of ice cream each year. Some people rarely eat ice cream, and others eat it daily. People in the United States eat more ice cream than people in other countries, with 86 percent eating this dessert at least once weekly. The industry brings in billions of dollars annually, and the market continues to grow.

Some people purchase ice cream to eat at home, others choose to have it when dining out, or they might visit an ice cream shop to enjoy this treat. Where they eat ice cream isn’t important. However, many people are interested in why they choose the flavors they do.

The Role of Genetics in Which Ice Cream Flavor is Selected

Seventy percent of ice cream purchases are based on flavor. The International Dairy Foods Association reports that vanilla and chocolate earned the top two spots. Many people would be amazed to learn that strawberry lands in eighth place. Genetics helps explain why vanilla is the preferred choice and why other flavors appear lower on the list.

23andMe conducted a study to learn more about ice cream preferences. The research team asked participants which ice cream flavors they preferred, and the answers were different from those obtained by the International Dairy Foods Association. Forty-three percent of respondents stated chocolate was their favorite flavor, with 38 percent stating vanilla was their favorite. Only 13 percent picked strawberry. The remaining respondents picked another flavor or no flavor preference.

Researchers found women preferred chocolate while men chose vanilla or strawberry. Older participants were less likely to choose strawberry ice cream, but chocolate and vanilla were popular across all age groups. Researchers found people who prefer dark chocolate are more likely to prefer chocolate ice cream. Those who prefer milk chocolate are more inclined to choose vanilla ice cream.

Culture and Ice Cream Preferences

Culture also influences the type of ice cream a person chooses. Italians prefer creamy, rich gelato, while the Japanese love light, airy, soft-serve ice cream. Rolled ice cream is a hit in Thailand, and Mexicans enjoy paletos. When visiting India, request Kulfi, and in Australia, ask for the golden ice cream sandwich. If people know what to ask, there’s an ice cream treat for every person.

Topping Preferences

Many people only eat ice cream when they can add their favorite toppings. Hot fudge is the preferred topping in America, receiving 35 percent of the votes. Whipped cream came in second with 29 percent of the votes, and caramel sauce achieved third place with 24 percent of the votes. Other toppings Americans prefer include chocolate sauce, nuts, sprinkles, and cherries. Some Americans put honey or granola on top of their ice cream, and others choose to top their dessert with cereal or peanut butter. Additional options include marshmallows, gummy bears, and cookie pieces.

Where Do People Eat Ice Cream?

Many people prefer to eat their ice cream at home. They can purchase their favorite flavors and enjoy them whenever they desire without leaving the house. However, they will never pass up the opportunity to have ice cream at a restaurant, specialty shop, or outdoors. Younger generations are less likely to keep ice cream at home, preferring to enjoy it in a social setting surrounded by others.

New Flavors to Explore

Don’t fall into a rut when eating ice cream. Every person should branch out and try new flavors. Cashew caramel is a vegan treat that combines coconut ice cream with cashew butter and date caramel sauce. Peanut butter cup is a decadent treat that many people will enjoy. It combines dark chocolate ice cream with a peanut butter swirl that will delight the taste buds.

Espresso Royale combines Ethiopian and Sumatra coffee beans for a rich and bold taste accentuated by brown sugar and vanilla hints. Gooey Butter Cake is a favorite of many because it combines made-from-scratch butter cake with cream cheese ice cream, a combination many couldn’t imagine until they tried it.

Manhattan is ideal for those who love the classic cocktail. They get the flavors of bourbon and sweet vermouth together with tart cherry juice topped with whole Amarena cherries. Many other flavors are offered, and a person should try them all at least once.

Ice cream is a treat that is here to stay. Nobody can say when it was first created, but iced desserts have existed for centuries. They will probably be around much longer than that. Try a new flavor today, and it may quickly become a favorite. It never hurts to branch out and explore new flavors, as the tried-and-true preferences will be around, too.