Is there anything better than ice cream on a hot summer day? Sure, you can enjoy it year round, but this time of year, it’s even better and according to a new survey, for a lot of Americans, it’s not summer without ice cream.
In honor of National Ice Cream Month, a new survey scoops up just how strongly Americans feel about the frozen treat. The poll of 2,005 U.S. adults reveals:
- Ice cream is the ultimate indulgence for 75% of respondents.
- Ice cream trucks can take us right back to our childhood, as 68% feel nostalgic when they hear the familiar jingle of an ice cream truck.
- For 72%, no summer meal is complete without a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
- Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (71%) prefer ice cream that’s made with simple, natural ingredients.
- For convenience and affordability, 59% prefer to buy ice cream at the grocery store and 58% prefer eating it in the comfort of their own home.
- Eco-friendly packaging is important, as 56% say they’re willing to pay more for ice cream that’s packaged with environmentally friendly materials.
- Classic flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla continue to be the most popular, but 70% of respondents say they like trying new and unconventional flavors.
- Younger Americans are even more adventurous when it comes to flavors, as 80% of Gen Z and 81% of millennials love to experiment with new flavors.
- More than three-quarters (78%) are willing to pay more for top-tier ice cream made with premium ingredients.