Ice cream is a popular treat year-round, but there’s something about the blazing heat of summer that makes it feel almost like an essential treat, and a refreshing way to cool off.
For many of us, the familiar jingle of an ice cream truck instantly brings us back to our childhood and those warm summer evenings spent racing down the block, money in hand, full of excitement.
Whether scooped or swirled into cones and bowls, or sandwiched between cookies, ice cream has earned its place as a universal treat. This frozen favorite is more than just dessert, it still brings a smile to every face.
Ice Cream Fun Facts
Let’s take a look at some fun facts about ice cream from kansasfarmfoodconnection.org.
Did you know…
The average American consumes about 23 pounds of ice cream each year.
About 9% of dairy milk produced in the U.S. goes toward making ice cream.
America produces more than a billion gallons of ice cream each year.
The Guinness World Record for the largest ice cream cone ever made was achieved in 2015 in Norway with a cone over 10 feet high and filled with ice cream and jam.
Kemps Dairy in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, set a Guinness World Record for the largest scoop of ice cream, weighing 3,010 lbs. It was created in 2014 to celebrate their 100th anniversary and contained the equivalent of 733 containers of ice cream.
Where Ice Cream Reigns
What are the top 10 states with the most number of ice cream shops (indicated next to the state name) per 100,000 residents?
Check out this list from Dairy Herd Management.
đŠVermont (18.51) tops the list with the highest number of ice cream shops per capita.
đŠWest Virginia (18.08) ranks second in ice cream shop density thanks to a strong presence of locally owned parlors, custard stands and small-town scoop shops.
đŠRhode Island (17.84) earns bronze in the nation for ice cream shop density.
đŠPennsylvania (17.58) ranks fourth with a diverse ice cream scene that reflects its mix of communities.
đŠWisconsin (16.44) is known for its cheese, but it also delivers big on ice cream.
đŠIllinois’ (16.12) largest city, Chicago, might be the driving force behind Illinoisâ ranking.
đŠNew Mexico (15.89) has sizzling summer temperatures along with a thriving local food culture, and frozen treats are in demand.
đŠMichigan (15.79) has thousands of inland lakes and summer tourists flood towns like Traverse City and Petoskey where ice cream is a lakeside staple.
đŠNew Hampshire‘s (15.54) dairy industry is a significant part of the state’s agriculture.
đŠNew York (15.35) ranks 10th, where ice cream is as diverse as the state itself.
Flavor Faves
According to the International Dairy Foods Association’s 2024 Ice Cream & Frozen Novelty Trends Survey, vanilla is America’s flavor of choice, followed by chocolate and strawberry.
Americaâs top 10 favorite ice cream flavors:
Vanilla
Chocolate
Strawberry
Butter Pecan
Cookie Dough
Cookies and Cream
Mint Chocolate Chip
Chocolate Chip
Rocky Road
Peanut Butter/PB Cup
Here are a few other fun takeaways from the survey:
Waffle cones beat out sugar cones 29% to 12% among consumers, but 27% of consumers prefer to eat their ice cream out of a bowl.
Hot fudge was the topping of choice at 35%, beating out caramel sauce at 24% and chocolate sauce at 21%. Whipped cream was the second most popular topping at 29%.
What’s your favorite flavor? Let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear from you!
And that’s the scoop on ice cream, I hope you enjoyed it!
NCP Panel Members: Donât forget to scan all of your UPC barcoded ice cream purchases! Thanks!
Regards,
Taylor
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This is very interesting. The top 3 were surprising. I would think more southern states would be higher on the list.
Like all the flavors of ice cream specially strawberry and vanilla. There is no Summer without ice creams
My favorite is Rocky Road or Peanut Butter
I love me some ice cream and its nice to see that a lot of the flavors I enjoy are on the top list but my ultimate fav is Oreo or Cookies n Cream topped with maraschino cherry juice or cherries…. yum yum. I gotta have a bowl (or 2) every night.
I like salted caramel with extra caramel sauce!
I love the ice cream at Grater’! My favorite is the Black Cherry Chocolate Chip. I also really like strawberry or butter pecan and they all are delicious in a waffle cone!
No need for me to be adventurous with my ice cream flavor selection—nothing makes me happier than a big bowl of All Natural Vanilla, especially if it has vanilla bean flecks in it. đ Though sometimes I do add a drizzle of Hershey’s syrup. đ
My oldest brother was the same way: Vanilla Ice Cream, Always. We were a lot alike in so many ways….I lost him a year ago this past June. :'(
By far, butter pecan ( but don’t be cheap with the pecans!!) most recently, Blue Bell.
I love ice cream my favorite is vanilla. You could combine it with cake with all flavors.
BUT I DO EAT OTHER FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM, THAT HAS A VERY SWEET TASTE TO IT. MY FAVORITE WOULD BE BIRTHDAY CAKE. I ENJOY ALL THE SWEET.
Blue Bell is good ice cream and they have some flavors that other brands donât have, my favorite Blue Bell is Banana Pudding. Itâs expensive but the container is an actual 1/2 gallon. I usually only buy it when itâs on sale. Same with the Blue Bell party cups. Theyâre convenient and a small serving is all I really need âșïžIn my comment I said it was Blue Bunny brand, my mistake, definitely Blue Bellđ
My favorite for years has been Baskin- Robbinâs Winter White Chocolate – tastes like chocolate covered cherries- which is only available between Thanksgiving and New Yearâs. But we recently vacationed in Cincinnati, where we went to Graeterâs and fell in love with their Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip!
Mint Chocolate Chip -the green one! đ
I canât say I have a favorite flavor but Blue Bunnyâs Banana Pudding is definitely up there along with Kayâs Party Cake. Vanilla is a great choice for dressing up with other flavors and creating desserts. Neapolitan, I like Turkey Hill, is usually a win win. I buy different brands based on sales and promotions because ice cream has gotten so expensive in the last few years. I like to keep the single serve cups for the kiddos, I used to buy Blue Bunnyâs cups but they have out priced their selves and I only buy them when they go on sale. I found the private label Cravânâs single serve cups, vanilla with either chocolate or strawberry syrup. I could go on forever, I didnât even mention the novelty ice creams beyond the cups but Magnum, Dove, Godiva, Hershey, Good Humor, etcâŠ. I suppose I love it ALLđ„°Thanks for the article! I enjoyed reading it and the replyâs from other panel members .
Blue Bell brand, although I also like the Blue Bunny brand.
I love the Peanut Butter Party flavor by Blue Bunny and any of the Reese’s ice cream treats!
I’m basically a vanilla person, but I’m a little addicted to Ben and Jerry’s dirt cake right now. Yum!
I like making my own ice cream homemade
My all-time favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip from Ray’s in Royal Oak, Michigan. Their ice cream is so decadent (around 50% butter fat!) and famous that they ship shaped novelties around the world! At our local custard stand, I like a vanilla regular cone with chocolate sprinkles.
Well, I’m allergic to chocolate and strawberries of all things. So those flavors are eliminated. And most flavored ice creams are full of junk ingredients like artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. The only ice cream I can find on the market that has just a few natural ingredients, like when you make your own, is vanilla. So that is my flavor of choice. I can add my own toppings, like nuts, to get a kick of flavor/crunch.
My all time favorite ice cream is banana split
My favorite ice-cream is carmal flavour with vanilla ice ,with chocolate flakes
Hello Taylor
Loved this article about ice cream. My favorite dessert!! I like alot different flavors but My Favorite ice cream is Vanilla with Carmel Swirl!! I also like ice cream cones vanilla with fudge topping. I could go on and on. I’m just a variety taster.
Thank you again
Thank you, Lori! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this blog!
Butter pecan!!
My favorite is vanilla and strawberry