*For decades, chocolate chip ice cream was a staple in freezers and scoop shops across the country. But in today’s era of extravagant flavors and over-the-top mix-ins, the classic combination of vanilla and chocolate chunks seems to be losing its appeal, according to Get Pocket.
In a 2024 report for The New York Times, author Matt Richtel noted a shift in consumer preferences that has pushed chocolate chip toward obscurity. The numbers reflect this fading interest. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, chocolate chip no longer ranks in the top 10 best-selling flavors, while vanilla still reigns supreme. Between 2018 and 2022, chocolate chip sales dropped 22%, while cookie-based flavors surged by 72%.
Major brands have taken notice. While Breyers and Blue Bell continue to offer chocolate chip, its availability is often limited to certain markets or seasonal releases. Meanwhile, companies like Ben & Jerry’s have embraced cookie-inspired creations, with multiple cookie dough variations but only one chocolate chip option—served as an ice cream pie.
The decline isn’t just limited to chocolate chip. Overall ice cream consumption has decreased in the U.S., dropping from an average of 18 pounds per person annually in 1986 to 12 pounds in 2021, according to the USDA. Whether chocolate chip can reclaim its former glory remains uncertain.
“I think part of the reason that ice cream has faded is that novelty has worn off,” said Matt Siegel, author of “The Secret History of Food.”
Lucas Fuess, senior dairy analyst at Rabobank, cites health issues as one reason for ice cream’s decline.
“As people have more choice and more options, and as they become increasingly health conscious, ice cream has not won that battle,” he said.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Cookies Make Perfect Holiday Treat! Here’s the Recipe
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
