What's hot in ice cream

From International Dairy Foods Association

Ice cream is a popular summertime treat. While traditional flavors encourage nostalgia, new flavors abound.

Vanilla continues to be America's flavor of choice in ice cream and novelties, in both supermarket and foodservice sales. This flavor is the most versatile, mixing well with toppings, drinks and bakery desserts.

America's top 10 favorite ice cream flavors are Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies N' Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Buttered Pecan, Cookie Dough, Strawberry, Moose Tracks and Neapolitan.

However, ice cream flavors are only limited by the imagination. Manufacturers, scoop shops and chefs constantly come up with new and exciting flavors for their customers. Here are a few of the newest entries: Lavender Coconut, Black Sesame, Bourbon Crunch, French Toast Bacon, Earl Grey Tea and Shortbread Cookies, Spicy Caramel and even popping candy and popcorn-flavored treats.

While the majority of ice cream sales have long been regular-fat products, ice cream manufacturers continue to diversify their lines of frozen desserts in order to fit into various lifestyles.

Respondents in International Dairy Foods Association's 2017 survey of ice cream makers and retailers identified six top trends guiding their product development efforts: Clean labeling, Natural products, Gourmet and indulgent, Nostalgic and comforting, Convenience or on-the-go and Health and wellness products.

Consumers still look for an indulgence when eating ice cream. Therefore, ice cream manufacturers make sure to offer a full selection of premium and super-premium products in innovative flavors and with such mix-ins as cookies, brownies, candies and cake.

The winning ice cream products in International Dairy Foods Association's annual Innovative Ice Cream Flavor Competition in 2018 were Signature RESERVE Brazilian Guava Cheesecake ice cream, Spicy Mango Raspberry Fiesta ice cream and the Pomegranate and Sweet Potato Medley Bar.

But don't go looking for Spicy Mango Raspberry Fiesta in stores just yet. It's a prototype, and fans can hope it hits shelves soon.