Ranch Ice Cream? Kraft’s Latest Joins Mac & Cheese, Lobster And Everything Bagel In Ongoing Race For Savory Dessert
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Ranch ice cream is the latest in a line of gimmicky ice cream flavors — like pizza, honey jalapeño pickle and lobster — aimed at fans of savory flavors as the global ice cream market looks for ways to continue its growth.
Important facts
Van Leeuwen, a national ice cream chain, is launching a Kraft’s Hidden Valley Ranch-flavored ice cream sold exclusively at Walmart in honor of National Ranch Day Friday, the company said in a statement.
The ice cream contains buttermilk, herbs and a “touch of sweetness,” the company said, recommending pairing it with salty snacks.
The aroma will only be on sale briefly from March 20th to May 28th.
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Another 13% of American adults and 25% of 25-34 year olds would be encouraged to buy more ice cream if there were more savory offerings, a 2022 survey by market research firm Mintel found Wall Street Journal reported. When Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream launched its Everything bagel ice cream in 2021, it sold out in nine days. Its popularity convinced the ice cream company to launch the onion-garlic flavor in 2022. Meanwhile, Van Leeuwen launched its popular bright yellow macaroni-cheese flavored Kraft ice cream in 2021, which sold out 6,000 pints in one hour, Food & Wine reported. In 2022, it also created a pizza-flavored ice cream with cream cheese and mozzarella ice cream, a tomato jam strudel, and basil-crusted cookies. In February, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream announced a special edition Biscuits With The Boss flavor, an homage to a story on the popular Apple TV show Ted Lasso. Since the taste went on sale online, it has been sold out and is only available in some stores.
tangent
Local ice cream parlors have also garnered attention with savory flavors in recent years: Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver, Colorado sampled a honey jalapeño cucumber flavor and Lick Honest Ice Creams in Austin, Texas sells a roasted beet and fresh mint flavor. However, Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium in Massachusetts has spent the last 20 years selling lobster ice cream.
Big number
105 billion. According to Fortune Business Insights, this is what the global ice cream market is projected to be worth by 2029.
Further reading
People actually love Kraft’s mac and cheese — the site for ordering $12 pints crashed and the flavor sold out (Business Insider)
Yummy! No, Yuck! Strange flavors of ice cream cause discord (Wall Street Journal)
Ice Cream from Gimmick to Rapture (The New Yorker)
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