Create Excitement by Sprinkling Innovation in Novelty Ice Cream
July is a time of summer celebrations filled with dazzling fireworks, spending time in the sun and a surplus of ice cream. When you enjoy the frozen treat, you are not only beating the heat, you also happen to be following a suggestion straight from the Oval Office! In 1984, Ronald Reagan established National Ice Cream Month and Day, paying homage to ice cream’s contribution to our economy and culture. National Ice Cream Month is observed each July while National Ice Cream Day specifically falls on the third Sunday of the month, this year on July 21st.
For many of us, this day serves as the perfect excuse to partake in some scoops. Despite financial challenges, such as inflation stretching wallets during grocery store trips, the ice cream category continues to see success, with 84% of consumers looking to these retail locations to provide scoop shop favorites that can be enjoyed at home1. The frozen treat remains a worthwhile addition to the shopping list because of the vital role it plays in the lives of consumers.
Ice cream has always been a source of enjoyment, but it has recently taken on a greater meaning. During these trying times, consumers seek treats that deliver novel excitement, self-care and creative expression. Texture-filled flavor descriptors are on the rise, and in 2020, the novelties category saw a 21% gain due to their on-the-go ease1, allowing for personalized consumption moments. In the 1984 official National Ice Cream Day proclamation, even President Reagan acknowledged that ice cream serves an important purpose as not only a dessert but also a snack food. A snack-sized ice cream treat can become a significant moment during the day, offering the ultimate pick-me-up that delivers fun, excitement and value.
When it comes to ice cream’s opportunities for creative expression, look no further than your kitchen cabinets to get inspired! Social media trends show consumers how to become part of the creative process and make the most of their ingredients. Recent trends include creating a homemade “caramel” topped with olive oil and maple syrup and giving your dessert a new flavor profile with items like soy sauce and brown sugar. Ice cream is a true culinary canvas, offering the opportunities consumers crave to play with flavor, color and texture.
Creating products that add enrichment and value to the lives of consumers is what drives our efforts in expanding our ice cream solutions portfolio. Options like extruded doughs and MagicCoat® deliver the best of color, flavor and texture to revitalize novelty items.
Silky ice cream is a delicious stand-alone dessert but becomes a standout experience when combined with the chewy texture of an extruded dough. Take pink sugar cookie dough to add whimsical fun to any pint, while also delivering the depth that brings sweet bakery-inspired flavors to life.
The delicate crunch of a coated ice cream bar replaces monotonous bites with a satisfying textural experience. Add a vibrant yellow hue and some Piña Colada flavoring to your ice cream coating and instantly, this ice cream bar becomes a means of transportation for the taste buds, allowing consumers to take a small moment in time for themselves.
This National Ice Cream Month and beyond, Sensient is eager to be your partner in all things indulgence. We want to ensure that your ice cream products spark lasting conversations, and we’d love to start one with you! Let’s Be Taste Buds!™
Want the scoop on the latest ice cream trends? Contact us today!
1Mintel