What type of desserts do your customers enjoy? Chances are they often head for the frozen yogurt, ice cream, or gelato. While the most ice cream is produced during the month of June, No matter what time of year it is, people in the United States love to indulge in creamy frozen desserts.
The NPD Group found that 40% of people in the United States will enjoy eating a dish of ice cream in any given 2-week period. Throughout this year alone, the proverbial average American will have ice cream at least 28.5 times. Recent data also shows that 90% of American households will regularly serve a sweet, frozen treat. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and gelato are often at the top of that list, and it’s likely that many people have a dish every day.
While some families may always have ice cream and other frozen treats in their freezers, others may go out for ice cream as a special treat. Since there are so many flavors to choose from at the local ice cream parlor, patrons will often want to taste something new on a shiny tasting spoon. Along with their parents and other family and friends, It’s not unusual for children of all ages to get excited about exploring new flavors.
It’s interesting to note, however, that vanilla continues to be a popular flavor for many people that regularly indulge in frozen treats. The International Ice Cream Association member companies, for example, conducted a recent survey that found vanilla was the most-popular flavor for 28% of their consumers.
Whether customers choose vanilla or another flavor or 2, they may also like to mix-it-up and have a scoop of gelato along with their ice cream. The difference between these delicious concoctions is in the churning process, as you’re probably aware. After churning ice cream, there is usually more than 50% air. Gelato, however, will have between 25% to 30% air after churning. Many people prefer the thicker, denser texture of gelato and the fact that it contains between 3% and 8% milk fat.
Given America’s love of dessert, it’s not surprising that mass quantities are produced every year. In fact, this amounts to roughly 1.5 billion gallons of ice cream and similar desserts such as gelato and frozen yogurt.
