Ice cream and other types of frozen treats are quite popular within the United States. Whether Americans enjoy ice cream for dessert or a between-meal snack, the NPD Group’s research shows that 40% will have ice cream every two weeks. This amounts to the average person consuming ice cream about 28.5 times a year. Given the popularity of sweet, frozen concoctions, it’s not surprising 90% of American households choose to treat themselves on a regular basis.
Ice Cream Production
On an annual basis, approximately 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and similar desserts are produced in the United States alone. While ice cream is produced throughout the entire year, most of it is processed during June. One of the reasons for this is to prepare for the festivities that occur in July, which is National Ice Cream Month. Even though Americans enjoy eating ice cream all year long, it’s a favorite treat during the warm summer months.
The Difference Between Ice Cream and Gelato
Some people may be curious about the difference between ice cream and gelato. One of the major differences between these two delicious desserts is the the churning process. After being churned, ice cream usually has over 50% air. Gelato, on the other hand, tends to have 25% to 30% air, so it’s much more dense.
Vanilla Continues to be a Popular Flavor
A survey was conducted with the International Ice Cream Association member companies. According to the results, vanilla continues to be at the top of the list with 28% of their consumers. Other traditional flavors remain popular as well. These include chocolate and strawberry along with Neapolitan, which contains all three of these flavors.
Plastic Spoons and Other Supplies
When you have an ice cream shop, it’s a good idea to be well-stocked. In addition to a variety of ice cream and gelato flavors, you’ll want to have a large supply of plastic spoons. Even though many ice cream lovers enjoy a sugar or waffle cone with a scoop or two, others prefer having their frozen treat in a fun dessert cup. Tasting spoons are also a must-have so your customers can experience new flavors. When you speak with an ice cream supply representative, you’ll be able to learn more about ordering these and other supplies.