Colorful ice cream cones in front of a sky with clouds.

15 Sweet Facts About Ice Cream

ByTodd Rowley

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Ice cream is my absolute favorite treat. I could eat it every day, though my waistline says I’ve already eaten too much. But really, is there such a thing as too much ice cream? Survey says: No! 

Ice cream is consistently in the top ten desserts with no sign of slowing down. So go, grab yourself a bowl of ice cream, and indulge yourself with our collection of sweet ice cream facts.

The Largest Consumers of Ice Cream

Two Ice cream cones held up in front of trees and mountains in Queenstown New Zealand.
Image Credit: Ho-Su-A-Bi/Shutterstock.

Kiwis

  • The average New Zealander consumers an average of 7.5 gallons of ice cream each year, more than any other country. This is primarily thanks to the high-quality dairy products New Zealand is known for.

 

Country With Second Most Ice Cream Consumed

Hand holding up an ice cream cone in front of American Flag.
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Americans

  • The average U.S. citizen enjoys 5.5 gallons of ice cream per year. Omaha, Nebraska, takes the title for the most ice cream consumed per capita in the United States.

 

Most Missed Foods by Astronauts

International Space Station and astronaut in outer space over the planet Earth.
Image Credit: Andrei-Armiagov/Shutterstock.

Pizza, Soda & Ice Cream

  • While astronauts are away from home, their food and beverage choices are limited due to the weight and space restrictions. NASA claims there are three common food or beverage choices their astronauts miss while away working in space: pizza, soda, and of course, ice cream.

 

Percent of Americans With Ice Cream in Freezer

Open freezer with bags and boxes of food and a carton of ice cream.
Image Credit: happycreator/Shutterstock.

98%

  • If you're in the majority, you’re in a huge majority! 98% of households report having ice cream in the freezer at any time, ready for the moment the craving hits. If you’re in the 2% that lacks this sweet treat, what are you waiting for?

 

The #1 Flavor

Many flavors of ice cream in little bowls.
Image Credit: Nadir-Keklik/Shutterstock.

Vanilla

  • One flavor consistently tops the charts. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough? Rocky Road? Butter Pecan? Nope. Too complex. Vanilla holds the title of the most popular ice cream in most countries, including the U.S., Italy, China, and Brazil.

 

The Most Popular Topping

Three Ice Cream Sundaes with different toppings and with cherries on top.
Image Credit: viennetta/Shutterstock.

Chocolate Syrup

  • When you scoop up a bowl of your favorite ice cream, do you top it off with any other sweet indulgences? Many do, making chocolate syrup the top topping for ice cream fans.

 

Why Ice Cream Changes After It Melts

Group of three kids holding ice cream cones that are starting to melt and drip.
Image Credit: LeManna/Shutterstock.

Escaped Air Bubbles

  • If you’ve ever put your melted ice cream back in the freezer to enjoy at a later time, you’ve likely noticed the texture is entirely different. Fresh ice cream is light and fluffy thanks to microscopic air bubbles that give it a smooth and creamy texture. After it melts, the air escapes, and the ice cream you served up the first time just isn’t the same.

 

The World’s Tallest Ice Cream Cone

Happy young girl holding ice cream cone with three flavors in front of her face.
Image Credit: Irina-Wilhauk/Shutterstock.

10 feet 1.26 inches 

  • Hennig-Olsen Is AS and Trond L Wøien scored the world record at Kristiansand, Norway, in July 2015. The ice cream cone measured 10 ft 1.26 in. in height, built in a wafer cone with a chocolate lining and jam. According to Guiness World Records it was taken from the freezer and moved via helecopter to distribute it to spectators of the Tall Ships Race taking place in the harbor.

 

The Accident That Created Ice Cream Cones

Waffle cones with ice cream in a stand.
Image Credit: Elena-Veselova/Shutterstock.

Running out of bowls

  • An ice cream vendor at the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904 ran out of bowls, leaving customers with no way to eat their treat. He asked a nearby waffle maker to roll his waffles into cones so he could continue selling his ice cream. And the rest is history.

 

How Many Licks Does It Take?

Two Kids eat ice cream cones.
Image Credit: ShineTerra/Shutterstock.

50 Licks

  • It takes, on average, 50 licks to finish one scoop of ice cream. The estimate varies based on the flavor, the temperature, and of course, the size of the scoop. Take your time, savor the flavor, and enjoy your ice cream.

 

Taster With an Insured Tongue

Many flavors of ice cream in metal tubs.
Image Credit: RossHelen/Shutterstock.

John Harrison

  • John Harrison is an ice cream taster for Dreyer’s. His tastebuds are so sensitive that he can discern slight variations in the butterfat that is vital to ice cream creation. Thanks to his extraordinary talents, his tongue is insured for one million dollars.

 

Weird Flavor Suggestions

Hand holds a tub of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream called Glampfire Trail Mix.
Image Credit: The-Image-Party/Shutterstock.

Legendary ice cream gurus, Ben and Jerry’s, receive more than 13,000 flavor suggestions each year. Flavor suggestions include Gregarious Gorgonzola made with dark chocolate ice cream with raspberry jam and gorgonzola cheese, and Don’t Worry, Be Hoppy made with salted caramel IPA beer ice cream with hops chunks.

 

More Weird Flavors

Scoops of ice cream with asparagus shoots.
Image Credit: hlphoto/Shutterstock.

Ice cream flavors sure have changed over the years. Back in the 19th century, creamery chefs created ice cream flavors, including asparagus, oysters, and parmesan cheese. Fortunately, these flavors are only a part of history…or are they?

 

Except in Japan

Ice cream in glas dish topped by orange and green fruits or jelly.
Image Credit: Ariyani-Tedjo/Shutterstock.

Ice Cream City in Tokyo, Japan, continues to host flavors that your palette might find less inviting than perennial favorite vanilla. But if you’re looking for adventure, be sure to tantalize your tastebuds with basil, eel, beef tongue, or curry-flavored ice cream.

 

Noodles With Ice Cream

Iranian dessert bowl of noodles with fruit.
Image Credit: bonchan/Shutterstock.

Faloodeh

  • Faloodeh is a historical Iranian ice cream dessert that is still enjoyed today. Consisting of semi-frozen vermicelli noodles combined with rose water and syrup, it’s often topped off with lime juice, saffron, and chopped nuts. 

 
Sources: Kiwi, Ben and Jerry's, Strasburg Shoppes

You Are What Your Eat (or Drink)

Matcha tea powder bamboo chasen and spoon.
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
Todd Rowley is a copywriter and content writer. He’s an unabashed introvert, an only child with a curious spirit, and a lover of the Oxford comma. Originally educated as a Child and Youth Worker – spending more than 25 years in the field – he also dabbled in Religious Education and Communications Studies. After leaving social services in search of new adventures, Todd fulfilled a childhood dream by going on the road as a truck driver for a couple of years before settling down and focusing on his career as a writer. Todd writes from southern Ontario, Canada, where he resides with his wife, Susan. Discover more about Todd and his work at www.ToddRowley.com.