The big scoop: America's favorite ice-cream flavor, revealed (2024)

Not only are we in the middle of National Ice Cream Month but it is National Ice Cream Day on Sunday. This extensive celebration of frozen cream comes to us thanks to President Ronald Reagan (clearly a puppet of big ice- cream) who signed these observances into public law in 1984.

America may be divided on lots of things, but when it comes to ice-cream, there is at least some national unity: 96% of Americans say they eat ice-cream, according to new data from YouGov.

Familiar divisiveness, though, is more apparent once you get into America’s favorite flavor. Topping the charts nationally is chocolate, followed closely by vanilla. Butter pecan comes in third. But there are pronounced regional differences: in the west, people are more than twice as likely as people in other parts of the US to pick rocky road as their favorite flavor, whereas in the south, butter pecan was as popular as chocolate and vanilla.

While people across the political spectrum seem to generally like the same ice cream flavors, Republicans are three more likely to have rocky road as their favorite flavor than people who identify as Democrats.

Ice cream

It seems our tastes change as we age. Millennials are much more likely to prefer cookies’n’creme (14%) and chocolate chip cookie dough (13%) than older people. Those aged 55 and up are significantly more likely to prefer butter pecan (17%) and vanilla (16%).

Mint chocolate chip seems to divide people down gender and race lines. Ten percent of white people surveyed liked it the most, compared with only 2% of black people and 4% of Hispanic people. It seems the profile of a mint chocolate chip lover is a middle-age white female living in the north-east in a domestic partnership earning over $80K.

There are also racial differences when it comes to butter pecan. Twenty percent of black people surveyed said it was their preferred flavor, compared with 11% of white people and 7% of Hispanic people.

If all of this has left you hungry for more ice-cream statistics, the entire survey is online here. Fill your boots.

The big scoop: America's favorite ice-cream flavor, revealed (2024)

FAQs

The big scoop: America's favorite ice-cream flavor, revealed? ›

Millennials are much more likely to prefer cookies'n'creme (14%) and chocolate chip cookie dough (13%) than older people. Those aged 55 and up are significantly more likely to prefer butter pecan (17%) and vanilla (16%). Mint chocolate chip seems to divide people down gender and race lines.

What is America's favorite ice cream flavor? ›

Above all types of ice cream flavors, vanilla is America's favorite for a reason: it's simple and it goes with everything.

What ice cream flavor would you be interview question? ›

As long as you're not vanilla, you're golden. If you can't pick an ice cream, or can't come up with a reason as to why you chose it, then you're not an employee that can think on their feet. Hiring managers just want answers to a lot of their unusual questions, and aren't looking for a specific flavor.

What is the most selected favorite ice cream flavor? ›

First things first, the survey found that 97% of Americans love or like ice cream. Traditional flavors seem to dominate their list, with vanilla being the top flavor. Following behind is chocolate and strawberry. Other top choices that they define as “newer” flavors include butter pecan and cookie dough.

What is the survey on favorite ice cream flavors? ›

Partnering with Morning Consult, an IDFA survey of more than 2,200 adults found that consumers ranked vanilla as the No. 1 flavor. Vanilla ranked higher than second place chocolate, third place strawberry, fourth place butter pecan and fifth place cookie dough.

What is the 3 most popular ice cream flavor? ›

The top five ice cream flavors that reign supreme are:
  • Vanilla.
  • Chocolate.
  • Strawberry.
  • Mint chocolate chip.
  • Cookies & cream.
Feb 14, 2024

What's the number one ice cream flavor? ›

According to recent research, America's favorite ice cream flavor to add to cart is vanilla, making up 30% of all ice cream purchases in 2023. And after that, came chocolate.

Is ice cream tasting a job? ›

People with degrees in food science can apply for food testing jobs. Ice cream tasting is one of these options and can be a rewarding career. If you love frozen treats and want to become an ice cream taster, you might benefit from learning what the job involves.

What ice cream flavor best reflects your personality? ›

Check out all the personality and flavor pairings:
  • Vanilla: You're more likely to be impulsive, easily suggestible, and an idealist.
  • Chocolate: You're more likely to be dramatic, lively, charming, flirtatious, seductive, and gullible.
  • Very Berry Strawberry: You're more likely to be a tolerant, devoted, and an introvert.
Jul 18, 2013

What is America's least favorite ice cream flavor? ›

Rocky Road, 4% Only four percent of Americans count Rocky Road Ice Cream as their favourite flavor. It is a chocolate-based ice cream with chopped almonds and marshmallow pieces mixed through. The ice cream flavor is often said to have originated in Australia.

What is the most loved flavor? ›

The World's Favorite Flavor

According to Datassential, 81% of consumers love or like vanilla and 94% have tried it. Consumer affinity for the spice remains so great that it is estimated there are at least 18,000 products on the market today that contain vanilla flavor.

What is the #1 selling ice cream in the United States? ›

With unit sales of approximately 176 million, Ben & Jerry's was the leading brand of ice cream in the United States in 2023. While Ben & Jerry's was the leading brand, private labels sold a total of over 401 million units that year.

What is the second most popular ice cream flavor? ›

Rich and creamy, chocolate ice cream claims the second-best spot. Its roots can be traced back to the Aztecs and Mayans, who enjoyed beverages made from cocoa beans. When the frozen form was discovered, it captivated chocolate lovers worldwide. Let's face it: chocolate is a timeless classic.

Which ice cream is more popular, vanilla or chocolate? ›

A recent survey by The International Dairy Foods Association reveals Americans top ice cream flavors. Chocolate is number one, followed by cookies 'n cream, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate chip.

Who likes ice cream the most? ›

Ice Cream Consumption by Country 2024
  • New Zealand tops the list of ice cream eaters at 28.40 liters per person. ...
  • People in the United States consume about 20.80 liters of ice cream a year, which is the equivalent of over 5 gallons of ice cream per American.

What is the #1 ice cream in America? ›

YouGov asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their favorite ice cream flavor, and many Americans ranked vanilla and chocolate at the top. Closely following America's most popular flavors were strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip.

What are the top 5 ice creams in America? ›

Top 5 ice cream flavors
  • 1. Chocolate ice cream
  • 2. Vanilla ice cream
  • 3. Strawberry ice cream
  • 4. Mint chocolate chip ice cream
  • 5. Butter pecan ice cream

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