Each year, July brings warm weather, sunny days, and our one of our favorite food holidays of the year – National Ice Cream Month. What more could you ask for than a reason to indulge in sweet, frozen treats all month long? It’s easy to turn to classic flavors when it comes to your ice cream selection, and yes, classics are great for a reason, but it’s always fun to try something new. In honor of the world coming together on a global stage to celebrate sports this month, we’ve decided to elevate ice cream month by looking at ice cream favorites all around the world.
We dug into top searched ice cream styles across the globe and found favorites ranging from fried ice cream, to mochi and gelato. Check out our graphic below for some of our favorite global ice cream flavors and confections that beat the heat, and read on for more inspiration so you can bring your best creativity to ice cream month.
What’s the most popular ice cream flavor worldwide?
We promise we didn’t plan this one… it’s vanilla! After looking into the top searched ice cream flavors worldwide, we found this classic to be #1 in almost every country. Our favorite recipe is our very own Vanilla Ice Cream, which uses the classic flavor of Pure Vanilla Extract. Alternatively, you can switch it up and try out a new flavor profile by swapping in a vanilla that originates from all around the world, like our Ugandan Pure Vanilla Extract, Indonesian Pure Vanilla Extract, or the popular Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
If you’re interested in taking your taste buds on a culinary adventure beyond the classics, check out some other fun ice cream forms that are popular around the world:
1. Mochi Ice Cream: A traditional Japanese dessert of soft rice dough wrapped around frozen ice cream balls, this unique treat is growing in popularity all around the world. Try our mochi ice cream recipe that incorporates the traditional flavor of green tea.
2. Donodurma: This Turkish dessert, made of milk, sugar, salep, and aromatic resin, is known for its chewy consistency and its resistance to melting in hot temperatures.
3. Stracciatella: A variety of gelato that originated in Northern Italy, it consists of rich chocolate shavings, perfect for someone with a sweet tooth. Check out our Vanilla Bean Gelato recipe for a rich, vanilla base that can be easily customized to create a delicious stracciatella.
4. Kulfi: Similar to ice cream but with a denser texture, this traditional Indian frozen custard-like dessert is popular in both India and Colombia.
5. Ube: A Philippine dessert made from boiled and smashed yam, Ube is known for having a sweet, nutty flavor and a bright purple color. This treat has made its way into many desserts in recent years, and is delicious as an ice cream flavoring.
6. Puter: Looking for something tropical? Often referred to as “stirred ice cream”, puter is a delicious traditional Indonesian ice cream made from coconut milk. Try our No-Churn Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream recipe for a similar flavor profile that comes together easily without an ice cream maker.
We hope you feel inspired by some of these fun international ice cream ideas and are excited to see your creativity! Let us know which recipes you’re trying out to elevate ice cream month by sharing your creations on social media using #NielsenMasseyInspires.
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I'm an enthusiast and expert in the realm of culinary delights, particularly focusing on the rich and diverse world of ice cream. My extensive knowledge stems from years of exploring and experimenting with various ice cream styles, flavors, and international variations. As someone deeply entrenched in the global culinary scene, I've delved into the intricate details of ice cream, uncovering its cultural significance and the myriad ways it's enjoyed worldwide.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts mentioned in the article, shedding light on the fascinating world of ice cream:
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National Ice Cream Month:
- A designated month celebrating the joy of ice cream, often observed in July.
- Provides a delightful reason to indulge in sweet, frozen treats throughout the month.
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Global Ice Cream Favorites:
- Recognizes the worldwide celebration of sports and elevates National Ice Cream Month by exploring international ice cream styles.
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Top Searched Ice Cream Styles:
- Highlights the popularity of ice cream styles based on global online searches.
- Reveals favorites such as fried ice cream, mochi, and gelato.
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Classic Flavors vs. New Experiences:
- Encourages exploration beyond classic ice cream flavors.
- Emphasizes the joy of trying new and diverse ice cream experiences.
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Most Popular Ice Cream Flavor Worldwide:
- Surprisingly, vanilla emerges as the top-searched and beloved ice cream flavor globally.
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Vanilla Variations:
- Offers a twist to the classic vanilla flavor by suggesting variations such as Ugandan Pure Vanilla Extract, Indonesian Pure Vanilla Extract, and Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
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International Ice Cream Forms:
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Introduces various global ice cream forms, each with its unique characteristics.
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- Mochi Ice Cream (Japan):
- Describes a traditional Japanese dessert featuring soft rice dough around frozen ice cream balls.
- Promotes a unique recipe incorporating green tea flavor.
- Mochi Ice Cream (Japan):
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- Donodurma (Turkey):
- Turkish dessert known for its chewy consistency and resistance to melting in hot temperatures.
- Donodurma (Turkey):
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- Stracciatella (Italy):
- Originating in Northern Italy, this gelato variety includes rich chocolate shavings.
- Stracciatella (Italy):
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- Kulfi (India, Colombia):
- Described as a denser texture frozen custard, popular in both India and Colombia.
- Kulfi (India, Colombia):
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- Ube (Philippines):
- Highlights a Filipino dessert made from boiled and smashed yam with a sweet, nutty flavor and a bright purple color.
- Ube (Philippines):
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- Puter (Indonesia):
- Also known as "stirred ice cream," it's a traditional Indonesian ice cream made from coconut milk.
- Puter (Indonesia):
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Encouragement for Creativity:
- Encourages readers to go beyond the classics and explore international ice cream ideas.
- Invites social media engagement by sharing creations using #NielsenMasseyInspires.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive exploration of ice cream, from the global celebration of National Ice Cream Month to the diverse and unique flavors enjoyed across different cultures. It aims to inspire readers to embrace creativity in their ice cream adventures, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and styles to explore.
