Americans love their ice cream. It’s reported that ninety percent of American households enjoy the frozen treat. And while chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are seen as the foundation of the ice cream flavor pyramid, there are many more flavors out there worth knowing about.
People are very defensive of their favorite flavors. And while some of the most popular ice cream flavors might seem obvious, others might surprise you.
So what are the most popular flavors? And is your favorite flavor one of them? Continue reading, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
1. Rocky Road
After chocolate and vanilla, you’ll probably hear people professing their love for rocky roads. Traditionally, rocky road comprises chocolate, marshmallow, and nuts. While it might seem like a simple concoction, this is an example where the sum is more significant than its parts.
Thanks partly to the ice cream magnate William Dreyer, the rocky road became a staple ice cream flavor in the 1930s. It was given its off-beat name based on the idea that people could have something to laugh about while the Great Depression was going on. Or at least, that’s how one of the rocky road origin stories goes.
2. Birthday Cake
So many kinds of cakes can be used to celebrate special occasions. Because of that, this flavor of ice cream can sometimes lead to confusion among people who haven’t tried it before. Most people would likely agree that the standard birthday cake is a vanilla sponge with some rainbow sprinkles.
And that’s what this much-loved ice cream flavor is attempting to recreate. However, it’s also so much more than that. This flavor tends to have a more frosting and/or batter-like texture.
Also, the sprinkles are mixed in instead of being on top. Some kinds of birthday cake ice cream will even include a frosting ripple in their recipe.
3. Salted Caramel
While it bears some similarities to butterscotch, salted caramel is distinct enough to deserve its spot on this list. First, the flavor has become incredibly popular over the last several years. And that’s not just for ice cream but also cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.
Salted caramel is special because it helps distinguish a part of cooking often overlooked by the average American shopper. Salt is essential to creating a truly exceptional sweet treat. That makes salted caramel a great flavor, no matter what you use.
But when you eat it in a refreshing and smooth ice cream dessert, its flavor is even more tantalizing. Whether it’s fully mixed in or rippled, it’s always delicious.
4. Chocolate Chip
Chocolate chip is a classic, and there’s good reason for that. The cocoa bean is the foundation for a wide variety of tasty desserts. And ice cream is no exception.
With this flavor, in particular, you get extra bits of the chocolate flavor in the form of chips. Usually, it’s in a vanilla base, but you can also have it in chocolate if you’re a real chocoholic.
5. Neopolitan
Is Neopolitan ice cream cheating? Maybe. But that’s okay with us!
Neopolitan gives you three different ice cream flavors in one scoop. Neopolitan is one of the older ice cream flavors, and it gets its name because it was first brought to America by immigrants from Italy.
The Neopolitan ice cream flavor was originally composed of strawberry, vanilla, and pistachio. This was to represent the colors of the Italian flag. Today, Neopolitan is primarily made up of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate.
6. Pistachio
If the previous flavor got you worried, fear not. Pistachio is still going strong as its standalone flavor. Pistachio has a nutty, rich, and sweet flavor. And, Pistachio is another flavor that’s had quite the resurgence over recent years.
7. Coffee
For many people, their first time tasting coffee flavor is with the ice cream rather than the beverage. Coffee is one of the most polarizing flavors on this list, but people who love it really love it.
Coffee ice cream was first created in the 1800s and was initially used in parfaits. These days, it’s enjoyed on its own and under splashes of hot fudge.
Still, due to its distinct flavor, it tends to be more popular with adults than children.
8. Vanilla
Vanilla is the true cornerstone of modern ice cream. While it’s simple, it’s also smooth and loved by everyone.
What’s great about vanilla ice cream is that it goes well with almost every other dessert. If you’re looking for an even more creamy texture, then be sure to give French vanilla a try.
Vanilla is such an enjoyable treat that even Thomas Jefferson made his vanilla ice cream in the 18th century. This was after he returned from France with a new appreciation for various desserts.
Ensure to include this flavor the next time you order ice cream catering.
9. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the earliest ice cream flavors used, even before vanilla. The earliest versions of chocolate ice cream date back to the 17th century in Italy. Chocolate ice cream is excellent all by itself and combined with other flavors.
Which of the Most Popular Ice Cream Flavors Have You Tried?
If you’re like us, this article has your sweet tooth craving ice cream. And if you haven’t tried any of the most popular ice cream flavors on this list, then definitely make sure to head down to the grocery store and pick up a few cartons to test for yourself.
Are you looking for other helpful articles? Then check out the rest of our blog today for more!