According to historical accounts, ice cream has been around in one form or another for thousands of years. Cultures across the globe used ingredients they had on hand to create luscious, creamy desserts and found natural methods for chilling them. That said, ice cream as we’ve come to know and love it today didn’t really come into play until around the 1600s or so. Of course, it has been gaining popularity ever since. Though this much-loved treat was once mainly reserved for the wealthy and elite, it’s now readily available to everyone.
Surveys show that vanilla, despite being the most basic of ice cream flavors, is the world’s leading choice. People love its divine simplicity as well as its versatility. It’s the perfect base for any number of toppings and mix-ins. It’s certainly not the only flavor available, though. Over time, well over 1,000 flavors have been created, and that list continues to grow. If you’re planning an outing for ice cream, consider some of the interesting, unusual, and unexpected options you have to choose from.
Sweet Heat
Sweet heat is a rising trend in the world of ice cream. There’s something about the cold, creamy texture of ice cream and its sweetness that melds beautifully with a spicy undertone. Flavor creators have added a variety of spicy ingredients to ice cream to give it a kick, but some of the most common are habaneros, scotch bonnets, and ghost peppers. Cayenne is popular as well. For a milder heat, though, white pepper can certainly add a lovely flavor to ice cream. It also works well with fruits, like strawberries.
Coffee
For all the coffee lovers among us, this highly popular caffeinated beverage has made a name for itself in the ice cream realm as well. Now, you can combine your morning wake-up call or your afternoon pick-me-up with your favorite frozen dessert. That’s a perfect excuse to have ice cream for breakfast, right? Though coffee-flavored ice creams generally don’t have as much caffeine as a standard cup of java, they can still give you a nice boost. You’ll find ice creams infused with an array of coffees from basic Colombian to espresso and beyond.
Salted Caramel
Salted caramel has been around for several decades, but it didn’t start skyrocketing to stardom until the last 20 years or so. Now, it’s virtually everywhere in the form of cookies, cakes, coffees, creamers, donuts, liqueurs, and candies. Obviously, it’s a fantastic addition to the selection of ice cream flavors as well. Salted caramel is one of those incredibly craveable flavors that has just the right balance of sweet and savory as long as it’s made correctly. In fact, studies show that it can actually be addictive to an extent. It releases endorphins that make people happy and keep them coming back for more.
Finding Your New Favorite Flavor
Those are only a few of the ice cream flavors that are available at this point. You’ll find flavors inspired by cocktails that contain alcohol. There are vegan options for those who love cold, sweet desserts but prefer not to consume animal products. Some flavors combine wildly popular baked desserts with the frosty, velvety texture of ice cream. No matter what flavors you’re craving, you’re bound to find a variety of ice creams to suit them. You may even discover a few new favorites along the way.