The most popular ice cream and gelato flavors in the US
Which are the most popular and beloved ice cream and gelato flavors in the States?
Here at MODALITA we always stress out how essential it is for any ambitious gelato shop to invest into quality products. Because picking the right equipment, studying the science behind the art of gelato making, always choosing flawless ingredients…
…all these are key success factors for any top class shop.
But, apart from them, there’s another key point to address: what do actual consumers usually buy?
In a recent blog post, we shared the main available data regarding the gelato industry. Today we wanna explore another kind of data, collected through apposite surveys across the US.
We’re talking about what sparks the customers’ interest every time they find themselves in front of a shiny gelato display case…
…Flavors!
US’ top 5 flavors
As reported by Dailyreporter, the International Dairy Foods Association released the most comprehensive ice cream trends data to date in the US to better understand the consumers’ preferences.
The Association has first surveyed ice cream manufacturers and retailers in order to collect their view and numbers of the latest market trends. Afterwards, they surveyed 1000 consumers about their preferred ice cream flavors and then overlapped the results with those obtained by the professionals.
The findings showed some predictable variance, but the crossover overall determined some interesting common trends.
Here’s the results:
1. Cookies N’ Cream
2. Vanilla
3. Chocolate
4. Mint Chocolate Chip
5. Strawberry.
Another interesting finding is that statistically, the most appreciated flavor in general within the US is chocolate since 24 States picked a flavor with chocolate as a base for their top one.
Anyway, despite that, the bestseller remains vanilla, which covers around 26% of the total sales in the country.
In other words, if you want to play it safe, your shop can’t go wrong with vanilla and chocolate-based flavors!
The most popular gelato flavors State by State
Meanwhile, another interesting study has been carried out by Instacart. The food delivery company analyzed the ice cream sales in every State and then compared each data with the national average.
This way they found out some relevant patterns in different clusters of States. Beyond the 24 ones who picked chocolate based flavors and the always loved vanilla, they also discovered significant hankering for flavors like peanut butter cups and fudge.
For instance, Moose Tracks appears to be the top unique flavor in 12 States.
Here’s the complete list with all the States, each with their own favorite.
Alabama: Moose Tracks
Alaska: Green Tea
Arizona: Rocky Road
Arkansas: Rainbow Sherbet
California: Rocky Road
Colorado: Green Tea
Connecticut: Pistachio
Delaware: Cherry
Florida: Rum Raisin
Georgia: Rum Raisin
Hawaii: Mango
Idaho: Green Tea
Illinois: Moose Tracks
Indiana: Moose Tracks
Iowa: Moose Tracks
Kansas: Rainbow Sherbet
Kentucky: Chocolate Chip
Louisiana: Birthday Cake
Maine: Coffee
Maryland: Cookie Dough
Massachusetts: Coffee
Michigan: Moose Tracks
Minnesota: Moose Tracks
Mississippi: Birthday Cake
Missouri: Cookie Dough
Montana: Rainbow Sherbet
Nebraska: Moose Tracks
Nevada: Rocky Road
New Hampshire: Coffee
New Jersey: Pistachio
NY: Pistachio
New Mexico: Chocolate Chocolate Chip
NY: Pistachio
North Carolina: Birthday Cake
North Dakota: Moose Tracks
Ohio: Chocolate Chip
Oklahoma: Cookie Dough
Oregon: Green Tea
Pennsylvania: Mint Chip
Rhode Island: Coffee
South Carolina: Moose Tracks
South Dakota: Birthday Cake
Tennessee: Moose Tracks
Texas: Rainbow Sherbet
Utah: Rocky Road
Vermont: Coffee
Virginia: Birthday Cake
Washington: Green Tea
Washington, D.C.: Mango
West Virginia: Moose Tracks
Wisconsin: Moose Tracks
Wyoming: Rocky Road
How to use these market trends?
Getting to know your own country or State’s most popular gelato and ice cream flavors is surely a useful hint to better understand what your customer base is looking for.
Although you will most likely offer the most commonly sold flavors such as vanilla and chocolate, it doesn’t make it less important. Picking up your client’s preferences will in fact help you build an offer that includes both mainstream and more creative flavors.
You certainly need to satisfy the highest number of potential shop visitors. But you also need to distinguish yourself from any other shop around. And therefore showcasing exciting and surprising combinations of flavors might be one of your main marketing tools.
For sure, no matter which flavors you will decide to create and offer, the top priority will always be providing a tasteful, delicious and quality gelato that will earn your clients’ love.
People will always reward any random, top class gelato flavor instead of their favorite, poor quality one.
If you want to be one among the top gelato businesses we helped to bloom during these 10 years, you already know what to do.
Fill in the form now and get in touch with us!