The frozen scoop

Are you tempted to indulge in an ice cream treat once the weather heats up? You got plenty of company. Last summer, a survey conducted by OnePoll, on behalf of I Love Ice Cream Cakes for National Ice Cream Month produced many nostalgia-laden findings. Overall, the average person associated eating ice cream with summer and said they returned to their 10-year-old selves. Eating ice cream makes people feel happy (36%), satisfied (34%), and relaxed (30%). More than half noted their flavor preferences had changed since childhood. Many desire to beat the heat with innovative ice cream products in the warmer months ahead. At the same time, the market and social media respond to the demand for unique flavors and texture collaborations. 

Viral ice cream trends

Hardly anything remains off-limits in the brave new world of ice cream meets TikTok trends! If you like dipping your French fries into milkshakes, then the McDonalds’s hash brown ice cream sandwich has made your dreams come true. You can achieve the controversial combination by scooping the contents of a McFlurry between two crispy hash browns. TikTok user Golnar Ghavami, aka @golisdream, shared her “sweet guilty pleasure” of ice cream wrapped in a Fruit Roll-Up. Adding ice cream to the fruit-flavored sheet allows it to freeze instantly, producing a pleasantly spine-tingling crunch Ghavami calls “so satisfying.” If you want a healthier hack, try TikTok innovation cottage cheese ice cream. Lainie Kates shared her strawberry-cheesecake cottage cheese-based ice cream recipe, gushing, “I still can’t get over this healthy ice cream hack that has almost 60 grams of protein.”

Cone collaborations and more

Häagen-Dazs and world-renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé, known for his exquisite macarons, have developed a magical new macaron ice cream range hitting shelves in the UK & France. How about trying one of the three variants: Double Chocolate Ganache, Strawberry and Raspberry, and Yuzu and Lemon. Additionally, in the UK, flavors inspired by afternoon tea include Orange & Pomegranate Tart and Blooming Blueberry Tart. The company’s new Butter Cookie Cone, a “cone for grown-ups,” wraps classic ice cream choices “in luxury.” Speaking of luxury, European ice cream makers and academy irca challenged themselves to consider what consumers want in 2023. Together with their Ice Cream Masters, they rethought three classic flavors, Coffee, Caramel, and Pistachio. The union of research and balance of flavor/texture resulted in two new variety creams JoyCream Caffè Biscotto and JoyCream Caramellato, and the flavoring base JoyPaste Pesto Pistachio. In the U.S., Hidden Valley Ranch and their signature dressing teamed with Van Leeuwen on Hidden Valley Ranch limited-edition ice cream.

Everything but the kitchen sink

For ice cream connoisseurs, adventurous new options abound with plenty of sweet and savory kitchen ingredients. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has dropped limited-time flavors such as Homemade Banana Bread and a brief return of Everything Bagel ice cream. Salt & Straw enters as an innovative ice cream company. It continues to receive buzz-worthy praise for its unique flavors. They recently partnered with Sri Lankan Hoppers restaurant in London on Hoppers Caramelized Roti with Bone Marrow Fudge.

Creamy & conscious

Salt & Straw has also been making news in the ice cream industry by upcycling ingredients. Their Upcycled Food Series of eco-friendly flavors linked them with Portland-based Urban Gleaners to source Day-Old Bread Pudding & Chocolate Ganache Ice Cream. Upcycled barley from Evergrain beer production adds to Malted Chocolate Barley Milk ice cream, the first allergen-free non-sorbet. On the non-dairy side, Breyers released an oat milk version of their classic vanilla ice cream with sustainably sourced vanilla. Climate-conscious Alec’s Ice Cream creates their product with certified regenerative organic ingredients and stomach-friendly A2 milk protein milk. You may purchase more traditional flavors and inventive Honey Blueberry Lavender solo or in alec’s “Super Sampler” pack of your favorite picks!

Look out for new savory flavors, creative collaborations, and sustainable entries in the global ice cream market. Let us know your favorites and if you try anything else that sparks your interest and taste buds!

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From field to fashion: Make strawberries your pick of this summer.

Can you imagine a world blanked of the allure of the mouthwatering strawberry that has captivated our senses for centuries? Here comes the good news: While the warmth of summer surrounds us, strawberries enter their prime season. They are tempting us with their sweet, tart, and juicy essence.

The history of strawberries traces back to the 1300s. At that time, farmers in France first cultivated the tiny red delicacies. Ever since, people have been immersing themselves in the appealing charm of this delicious berry. 

Fragara ananassa, the Latin name for the modern strawberry, came about through a fortuitous accident. A Chilean strawberry cross-pollinated with a Virginia strawberry. This chance encounter birthed the strawberries we know and love today. 

Let’s dive into the wealth of experiences strawberries offer – savoring their exquisite flavor, cultivating them in your garden, and even incorporating them into your fashion and home decor. 

Deliciousness Defined

Eating strawberries equates to a unique sensory feast. As the warmer months approach, food brands celebrate the strawberry summer. They are offering delicious options, from refreshing beverages to decadent candy.

To truly relish the best strawberries, look for them during late spring and early summer. Then, locally grown berries are reaching their peak and offer the most exquisite taste. When selecting fresh strawberries, bright-colored, aromatic, firm, and plump berries with fresh-looking green caps taste the best.

Food and beverage purveyors, too, have recognized the key to a customer’s heart. It lies in a strawberry treat, with nearly 37% of restaurants offering strawberries on their menu. For instance, Monster launched the Strawberry Dreams. The zero-sugar beverage perfectly balances tartness and sweetness. Dr. Pepper added Strawberries & Cream to its permanent lineup. While Wendy’s brought back the Strawberry Frosty, an iconic way to beat the summer heat. McDonald’s too stands on the trend, introducing the Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry. 

Interest in strawberries hits peak season too

Strawberries have experienced a resurgence in popularity recently. Social conversations about berries have risen by more than 17% in the past year. How come the sudden fascination with these ruby-red gems? One reason could relate to recent innovations in strawberry cultivation. 

We got introduced to the world of the Omakase Berry. The rare and exquisite strawberry variety grows in the picturesque Japanese Alps. Traditionally exclusive to Japan, these berries have made their way to New York City thanks to state-of-the-art indoor farming techniques. Oishii, a renowned name in the strawberry world, also introduced a berry called the Koyo Berry. It closely resembles the Omakase Berry, and brought a delightful twist of increased firmness and tartness. 

What sets these berries apart? Their unique cultivation method. Compared to conventional berries, Omakase and Koy Berries grow on vertical farms. This allows for year-round production and the freedom to enjoy these fruits at any time. 

A Recipe for Fun: Strawberries in Fashion and Home Decor

Strawberries bring the sunshine indoors in their own unique way. Trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson from Etsy suggests that fun motifs like strawberries bring playfulness and joy into our spaces. The strawberry-themed home has gone viral on platforms like TikTok. It is captivating millions with videos showcasing strawberry-themed vases, mugs, pots, puzzles, and more. 

And we have to include the fashion and beauty world, where strawberries have found their place of influence. Strawberry accessories and clutches make a fruity statement, adding flair to any summer ensemble. 

The latest beauty trend features strawberry milk nails. According to celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce, chic strawberry milk nails exude the same creamy elegance as milk bath nails with a sheer pink strawberry twist. 

The strawberry season has come upon us! Why resist? Let strawberries captivate your senses and infuse your life with sweetness and joy! Share your favorite strawberry inspirations in the comments!

The strawberry season is upon us! Why resist? Let strawberries captivate your senses and infuse your life with sweetness and joy! Share your favorite strawberry inspirations in the comments! 

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