We eat it all year long, but there’s nothing better on a hot summer day than a scoop of ice cream. That’s probably why July is National Ice Cream Month and in honor of the month-long celebration of the frozen treat, a new survey reveals the country’s biggest “ice cream connoisseurs,” along with our favorite flavors and preferences.
According to the poll of 5-thousand Americans, split evenly by state:
- Folks in New Jersey are most likely to identify as an “ice cream connoisseur” (58%), with New Mexico coming in a close second (56%).
- California, Kansas, New York and North Dakota all tie for third (55%).
- While 72% of respondents say ice cream is their all-time favorite dessert, some states seem to love it more than others.
- Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas show the most love for ice cream, rating their love for it an 8.9 out of 10.
- The states that eat the most ice cream per week on average are Delaware (four days a week), New Mexico (3.9 days per week) and Wyoming (3.9 days a week).
- Friday (19%) and Saturday (29%) are the most popular days of the week to eat ice cream and the most common way people enjoy it is in a bowl (49%), followed by a cone (35%) and straight from the carton (17%).
- Classics reign supreme when it comes to flavors, with chocolate landing at number one (15%), followed by vanilla and mint chocolate chip, which tie for second (12% each).
- People love toppings, too, especially hot fudge (48%), caramel sauce (40%), chocolate syrup (39%), and whipped cream (36%).
- Nearly one in five (18%) are such fans of ice cream, they’re planning to make their own this summer.
America’s Favorite Ice Cream Flavors
- Vanilla (12%)
- Chocolate (15%)
- Strawberry (8%)
- Butter pecan (10%)
- Cookie dough (8%)
- Cookies and Cream (9%)
- Mint chocolate chip (12%)
- Pistachio (4%)
- Rocky road (6%)
- Salted caramel (8%)
Source: Talker