New Zealand eats the most ice cream per person, with Kiwis consuming around 28.4 liters (60 pints) annually, significantly more than the United States (around 20.8 liters) and Australia (about 18 liters), though the U.S. eats more in total volume due to its larger population. Other top consumers include Australia, Finland, Sweden, and Canada, showing a love for frozen treats even in colder climates.
New Zealand takes the crown for the highest ice cream consumption per capita. Yup, that's right—Kiwis really love their frozen treats, clocking in at around 28 liters per person annually. That's a whole lot of scoops!
New Zealand takes the cake as the country that eats the most ice cream annually, with the average New Zealander consuming over 60 pints every year (28.4 liters). Thats a whole lot of ice cream!
New Zealand, the United States, and Australia are the world's biggest consumer of ice-cream. Ice cream is one of the many dairy products consumed around the world. Combined with other ingredients and flavors, and it is frozen using unique methods to make a soft, creamy product.
The number one selling ice cream flavor globally and in the U.S. is consistently Vanilla, prized for its versatility, followed by Chocolate and Strawberry, with Butter Pecan and Cookie Dough also highly popular. While specific brands vary, vanilla remains the top choice for tubs, while popular novelties include items like Golden Gaytime and Drumstick in markets like Australia, though brands like Ben & Jerry's lead in overall popularity in some regions.
Vanilla, chocolate, raspberry, strawberry, and butterscotch are among the favoured flavourings. Enjoyed worldwide, ice cream comes in various forms, from cones to sundaes, offering a refreshing and indulgent treat, especially during warm weather or as a dessert choice, catering to diverse tastes.
Ice cream does provide small amounts of nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin, as well as vitamin K1 which functions as a blood thinner and helps prevent clotting. The dairy treat also includes antioxidants as well as minerals, calcium, and phosphorus.
Bologna, Italy
This one may be obvious, as Italy arguably has the best ice cream in the world, in the form of gelato.
Behind New Zealand's love of ice cream is a big business. The country's strong dairy industry, known worldwide for milk, butter, and cheese, also makes ice cream a natural success story. New Zealand is one of the top dairy exporters in the world, and ice cream is part of that story.
“FUN FACTS” What ages eat the most Ice cream ? '' Americans over age 55 eat more ice cream per capita than any other age group, according to a new study on frozen sweets. The average American eats ice cream at home 41 times per year, but the over-55-year-olds eat it an average of 56 times annually.
Unlike traditional ice cream, which is often pre-mixed and frozen, New Zealand Style Ice Cream is made fresh to order. At JAMUN, we take this beloved Kiwi dessert and bring it to life in Dulles, VA, blending high-quality ice cream with your choice of fresh fruit to create a personalized, delicious experience.
The origins of ice cream, sorbet and other chilled dairy treats are difficult to pin down—but span back to antiquity. According to popular legend, ice cream was invented by the ancient Chinese, brought to Italy by Marco Polo, to France by Catherine de Medici, and thence to America by Thomas Jefferson.
Australia ranks among the top three ice cream-loving nations globally, consuming around 18 litres per person each year1. So, it's no surprise that when it comes to frozen treats, Aussies don't just indulge, we go all in.
However, it is Germany which is once again crowned king of the cone, churning out 607 million litres in 2024. France and Italy followed at the top with 501 million litres and 492 million litres of ice cream, respectively.
Food held between 5oC and 60oC for 4 hours or more must be thrown away. The time between 5oC and 60oC is cumulative— that means you need to add up every time the food has been out of the fridge, including during preparation, storage, transport and display.
Groceries. While grocery items are cheaper in NZ overall, there are some items that are notably more expensive including milk, eggs and other basic items.
The term hokey pokey likely has multiple origins. One of these is the expression "hocus-pocus", which is possibly the source of the name hokey pokey in New Zealand. As a general name for ice cream outside New Zealand, it may be a corruption of one of several Italian phrases.
Ice cream brands in the U.S.
Ben & Jerry's is number one in popularity among consumers. Leading Breyer's and Blue Bunny in second and third place, respectively.
The earliest evidence of anything approaching ice cream being made was in China in the Tang period (A.D. 618-907).
Le Mars, Iowa - "The Ice Cream Capital of the World".
The unhealthiest ice creams are typically rich, indulgent flavors from brands like Ben & Jerry's and Häagen-Dazs, featuring high amounts of sugar, saturated fat, and calories from mix-ins like fudge, caramel, and candy, with flavors like Ben & Jerry's "Chunky Monkey" or"Peanut Butter Cup" often topping lists due to their extreme sugar and calorie counts per serving. Beyond specific brands, ice creams with artificial colors, flavors, and emulsifiers, along with excessive added sugars and unhealthy fats, should be avoided for better health.
Cardiologists generally advise avoiding processed meats, sugary drinks and sweets, and foods high in trans fats and sodium, like most fried foods and salty snacks, because they raise bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, significantly increasing heart disease risk. Focusing on whole foods and limiting these culprits is key for heart health.
Sugary foods, such as ice-cream and sweets, send blood sugar levels spiking at first, which then crash whilst you are asleep. A crash in blood sugar alerts the adrenals that there is an emergency, which, in turn, increases cortisol levels, and wakes the body from slumber.