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Vanilla favourite ice cream flavour in United States, says IDFA survey
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Friday, 07 July, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Washington, D C
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While vanilla ice cream continues to reign supreme as America’s favourite, chocolate-filled flavours dominate the top five best-selling ice cream flavours. This was stated by a recent survey of ice cream makers and retailers across the United States, conducted by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).
The respondents were the association’s members, who make and market ice cream, as well as members of the National Ice Cream Retailers’ Association, which includes operators of ice cream parlours in the United States. IDFA released the results to launch its celebration of National Ice Cream Month, which runs throughout July.
According to the survey, America’s top five flavours are: vanilla, chocolate, Cookies N' Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.
“Vanilla has long been the best-selling ice cream flavour, not only because it is creamy and delicious, but also because of its ability to enhance so many other desserts and treats,” said Cary Frye, vice-president, regulatory and scientific affairs, IDFA, and expert on ice cream and frozen desserts.
“It tastes great topped with whipped cream and fudge sauce in a sundae, with root beer in a float or atop a warm slice of apple pie,” she added.
When asked to name their most daring and creative flavours, the respondents listed less traditional options, including Lemon Poppyseed Muffin, Black Sesame and a bourbon- and caffeine-spiked concoction called Exhausted Parent.
Survey results also confirmed that many ice cream makers and retailers have family-owned businesses, have been in operation for over 50 years and primarily market their products locally and regionally.
Ice cream across America
From neighbourhood scoop shops to national brands, the ice cream industry in the United States contributes more than $39 billion to the national economy and creates over 1,88,000 jobs nationally.
The Great Lakes region of the United States, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, is a hot spot for the chilled treat. For respondents who market their products regionally, the area earned the top spot for the most successful and the most served market.
Respondents also ranked the Southwest, Plains and the Mideast regions as their next most successful markets, helping to answer the often-asked question, “Which region consumes the most ice cream?”
À la mode
When asked about ingredients added to ice cream, the majority of those surveyed said that pecans were the most popular nut or nut flavouring, while strawberries were the most popular fruit added to their frozen treats.
Waffle cones and sugar cones were voted as equally popular containers with consumers, while ice cream sandwiches came out on top as America’s favorite novelty product. Respondents voted the ice cream sandwich as their best-selling novelty over ice cream cups, pops, cones and bars.
Celebrating National Ice Cream Month
In 1984, Ronald Reagan, the then president of the United States, designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.
He recognised ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by about 90 per cent of the nation’s population.
In the proclamation, Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
IDFA, which is headquartered in Washington, D C, encourages retailers, scoop shops and consumers to celebrate National Ice Cream Day (which falls on Sunday, July 16, 2017).
The association represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion-a-year industry.
IDFA’s 220 dairy processing members run over 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organisations to single-plant companies. Together they represent over 85 per cent of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.
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