VANILLA IS BEST SELLING ICE CREAM FLAVOUR SAYS THE ICE CREAM & ARTISAN FOOD SHOW 2020

UK ice cream parlours were asked what their best-selling ice cream flavours were. 84% stated that Vanilla was the most popular in a survey by The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show 2020. The second and third most popular flavours were Mint Chocolate Chip (20%) and Chocolate (18%).

Established flavour Strawberry was surprisingly rated third most popular flavour by just 14% of parlours whilst ‘new kid on the block’ Bubblegum was rated third favourite by 9% of parlours.

36% of parlours described Vegan ice creams (of various flavours) as their most significant new product varieties (Dairy Free and Reduced Sugar were the next most popular newest additions at 5% each).

The most unusual varieties sold by UK ice cream parlours included unique flavours such as Sea Buckthorn, new twists on established favourites such as Chilli Chocolate and Blue Banana, and the very unusual such as Chicken Sorbet (created for a local fried chicken restaurant) and Crabmeat (no explanation was supplied!).

“It is no surprise that Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavour. Why else would four of the ice cream parlours that responded to our survey sell just that one flavour,” commented Zelica Carr, CEO of the Ice Cream Alliance, organisers of The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show. “However, the vast range of other flavours, lovingly devised, made and sold in our fast-expanding ice cream parlour sector is testament to the creativity of the industry. Also, our ice cream makers are extremely in tune with prevailing taste trends judging by the numbers producing ‘free from’ products such as vegan, dairy free and reduced sugar – as well as reduced calorie and gluten free.”

The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show is held 11th – 13th February 2020, at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate. If you make or sell ice cream (or are thinking of doing do) then the Show is a great source of inspiration and ideas.
It is the only UK trade exhibition for the ice cream industry. For more information and to pre-register as a visitor go to www.ice-cream.org and follow the links.

The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show 2020 surveyed the members of the Ice Cream Alliance at the end of December 2019.