Delaware ranks among top ice cream-loving states, study finds

Delaware may be small, but its appetite for ice cream is far from it.  

The First State ranks second in the nation among the most ice cream-obsessed states, according to an analysis of search data trends. The Northeast dominates the rankings for ice cream enthusiasm, with neighboring states New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine all placing in the top 10. 

Results from the study show that colder-weather states in the Northeast consistently displayed high search interest in ice cream, challenging the assumption that warmer states would rank higher. At the lower end of the list, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and Arkansas showed the least interest in ice cream.  

Here’s a closer look at trends in ice cream brands and flavors: 

Favorite ice cream brands by state and nationally 

State-level leaders 

In Delaware, Breyers is the most-searched ice cream brand, along with New York, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  

Halo Top, in particular, emerged as a leading brand in many states, reflecting a growing interest in lower-calorie dessert options. However, Cold Stone Creamery ranks first in more states than any other brand, primarily across the West and Midwest. Founded in Arizona, the company remains especially popular in western states. 

National rankings 

The most searched ice cream brand in the country is Halo Top, which leads national search interest in the overall rankings of ice cream brands. The result may reflect that consumers are becoming more calorie-conscious when choosing a sweet treat, as the brand has surpassed more established ice cream companies that have been on the market for decades.  

Cold Stone Creamery follows right behind. The brand has storefront locations nationwide and offers packaged products in the grocery aisle. At its retail locations, it’s an experience to watch your ice cream get crafted. Employees place the ice cream on a frozen granite slab and then fold, chop, and mix toppings, preparing the dessert right in front of customers’ eyes.  

And Delaware’s favorite, Breyers, ranks third in the nation. As the brand originated in 1866, it goes to show some ice cream lovers can’t switch up on the classics.  

Favorite ice cream flavors by state and nationally  

State-level rankings 

Strawberry ranks on top without a doubt, placing first in 16 states. The flavor is not concentrated in any single region, showing broad popularity across the country. Strawberry was actually the earliest documented “ice cream” flavor, originating in 1744, which consisted of iced cream and strawberries and continues to be the fan-favorite across many states.  

A newer flavor, birthday cake, ranks as a top-searched option across several regions, from Delaware to Alabama, and is the second most popular flavor in the study’s state-by-state rankings. Its rise in popularity coincided with the growth of cake batter ice cream and was fueled in part by chains like Cold Stone Creamery.

Some of the most unusual top-searched ice cream flavors by state include boba in Florida, lavender in Oregon and matcha in Kansas. 

National rankings 

At the top of the list remains strawberry; however, chocolate chip and cookie dough place second and third, with chocolate and vanilla following right behind.  

Both chocolate chip and cookie dough are simply upgraded, and newer versions of the classic flavor of chocolate and vanilla but rank above the two. 

The national rankings of the least-favorite flavors are some that you don’t see at every ice cream shop or your local grocery store.  

Ube, the nation’s least favorite ice cream flavor, is a popular Filipino dessert made from purple yams. The ice cream flavor is described to have a sweet and nutty taste with its vibrant purple color.  

Another flavor some may be unfamiliar with is, and is the nation’s second least popular flavor, is blue moon. It’s most common in the Midwest and is described as a mystery flavor as it consists of many opposing flavors all in the same bite.  

Lauren Lingle is an intern with Delaware Online/The News Journal. Contact her at @llingle@gannett.com