Five flavors to rule them all

July 14, 2014 by
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Ice cream coneBaskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, is known for its famous “31” logo, which suggests a different flavor of ice cream available for each day of the month. However, the chain may want to winnow its lengthy list of flavors, as this Parade magazine article explains. It provides a map of each state’s most popular flavors of the ice cream, based on the stores’ dairy carrier shipment data.

Even though consumers have dozens of choices ranging from blueberry cheesecake to “Wild ‘N Reckless Sherbet,” it’s not a shock to learn that vanilla is the favorite flavor in about half the states. The classics are classics for a reason. However, there is an interesting grouping of mint chocolate chip in the southwestern corner of the country. Perhaps it’s due to the cooling properties of mint (those states feature a lot of hot, desert terrain).  

It is somewhat surprising, however, that a mere five flavors dominate the entire country (some states don’t have a Baskin-Robbins location and so are not given a favorite). The three flavors besides vanilla and mint chocolate chip are Oreos ‘n cream, pralines ‘n cream, and chocolate. Only two states had chocolate as the number one flavor.

If you had to choose just one ice cream flavor, what would you pick?

Photo of Brown sugar ice cream with a ginger-caramel swirl from Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones in the EYB Library

 

Category: Antipasto

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6 Comments

  • Jane  on  July 14, 2014

    Our local ice cream shop (Lizzie's in Waltham) does a wonderful Prune and Armagnac. I usually like anything that is a combination of chocolate, caramel and nuts. But when it's really hot I prefer tropical fruity flavors like mango or passionfruit. I never choose vanilla – dull.

  • Aggie92  on  July 14, 2014

    Spumoni is my all-time favorite, but sadly it is so difficult to find. I however, will not turn down chocolate-peanut butter, strawberry, or rocky road. Vanilla is only ever bought to be used as a base for an awesome topping, like homemade hot fudge, cherry compote, or strawberries that have been macerated in orange liqueur or amaretto.

  • hihelen_westbrook  on  July 15, 2014

    I do love a really dark, rich chocolate (I had an amazing ice cream in Granada once, so thick and dark it was almost chewy) but I have recently discovered a gorgeous blackcurrant and clotted cream swirl whilst down in Devon… decisions decisions. Can I just have all the ice cream?!

  • sgump  on  July 15, 2014

    I vividly recall a heavenly lavender ice cream I had in Wales in the summer of 2000–something that I don't expect to see popping up anytime soon in Central Iowa (where I now live). So I'll have to go with pistachio (or anything with nuts, really . . . or, this time of year, berries: oh, the blackcurrant sounds divine).

  • pokarekare  on  July 16, 2014

    After growing up in New Zealand, hokey-pokey for me, every time!

  • ellabee  on  July 25, 2014

    Rocky Road! I'm sad it didn't make any state's top flavor…

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