Which two ice cream flavors dominate as regional favorites?
Whether it is National Ice Cream Day or any summer day, many people scream for more ice cream. From a simple scoop to piled high on an ice cream cone, people cannot get enough of that frozen dessert. Which two ice cream flavors have strong regional ties?
Popular ice cream flavors might seem obvious. Classic vanilla is always a top choice. Sweet chocolate never goes out of style. Of course, cookies and cream offers the texture of combining two treats.
Still, those classic offerings are just a small sampling of the flavors in the freezer. Even though Baskin-Robbins might have more than 31 flavors, the reality is that almost anything and everything can be churned into that frozen dessert.
Recently, Instacart studied some shopping preferences to reveal some interesting ice cream facts for National Ice Cream Day. Breaking the information down by region, two very different flavors dominated.
According to Instacart’s findings, Rocky Road is the hands down favorite ice cream for the Western U.S. And, Midwesterners prefer Moose Tracks. The reasoning is a little more than just craving a flavor.
As Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart’s Trends Expert said, “It’s fascinating to see Rocky Road’s regional popularity in the West, likely fueled by its creation in California during the Great Depression, which gives it a strong regional connection. Additionally, its bold and diverse textures perfectly align with the adventurous spirit of the West.”
Many people do not think about the history behind a particular food or flavor. After reading the explanation, that connection between food and culture is clear. It not necessarily be a obvious connection that people see, but it could be a subliminal calling or craving.
With Moose Tracks, it might be a little different. Romaniuk explained, “Moose Tracks is another ice cream with strong regional roots, having been created in Michigan. The delectable mix of vanilla ice cream, peanut butter cups, and fudge perfectly matches the hearty food culture of the Midwest.”
Some people might not know the Moose Tracks origins. Many people just like the flavor because it has all the sweet mix-ins front and center. Why drive all the way to the ice cream shoppe when there is a special creation in the freezer.
Overall, the ice cream preferences and trends usually do not vary too much year after year. People like the traditional, classic flavors. The unusual, savory or other over the top offerings might get people talking, but it is the tried and true flavors that usually go in the cart.
Hungry to add a pint to the cart? Ice cream is always a great way to cool off from all the summer heat.