Cura observes Independence Day by indulging in a favorite dessert – ice cream! As the summer reaches peak temperatures, we are celebrating National Ice Cream Month in July to cool off and enjoy the nation’s favorite frozen treat with friends and family…
The average American eats roughly 4 gallons (20 pounds) of ice cream each year. According to an International Dairy Foods Associations (IDFA) survey, most ice cream companies are family owned and have been in operation for more than 50 years! Here’s more sweet news: Ice cream companies help support the U.S. economy, contributing more than $13 billion directly to the national economy and supporting nearly 29,000 direct jobs that generate $1.8 billion in direct wages, according to IDFA’s Dairy Delivers®. In 2021, ice cream makers in the U.S. churned out more than 1.3 billion gallons of ice cream.”
“In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.”
Across 2021 and 2022, one in ten US adults reported buying ice cream from these three iconic brands during the warmer months of June to September (10%).Nov 10, 2023
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. This age group even tops children aged 6 to 12, who average only 43 times a year at home, and teen-agers, who average 41 times.
The origins of ice cream, sorbet and other chilled dairy treats are difficult to pin down—but span past the Middle Ages. 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 finally to America by Thomas Jefferson.
The leading brand of ice cream in the United States in 2023 is Ben & Jerry’s with unit sales of approximately 176 million. While Ben & Jerry’s was the leading brand, private labels sold a total of over 401 million units that year.
TOP FLAVORS
1. Vanilla. Above all types of ice cream flavors, vanilla is America’s favorite for a reason: it’s simple and it goes with everything. …
2. Chocolate
3. Cookies & Cream
4. Mint Chocolate Chip
5. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
6. Buttered Pecan.
7. Birthday Cake
8. Strawberry
FUN FACTS
The residents’ of New Zealand tops the list of ice cream eaters at 28.40 liters per person while the United States consume about 20.80 liters of ice cream a year, which is the equivalent of over 5 gallons of ice cream per American.
Most ice cream is consumed on Sunday, which by some stretch, is believed to be the etymology of the word ‘sundae’.Jun 29, 2022.
America’s oldest ice cream company is a fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream. More women consume ice cream than man by 15%.
A 4-ounce serving regular vanilla ice cream typically has 140 calories, 7 g fat, 2 g protein, 17 g carbohydrates while a 4-ounce serving of premium vanilla ice cream typically has 210 calories, 13 g fat, 3 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates. In most cases, premium ice cream — which is processed to be richer and creamier than regular ice cream — is also higher in sugar, fat, and calories.
Interestingly, while low-fat or no-sugar-added products are often promoted as healthier, these choices may contain around the same number of calories as regular ice cream.
Additionally, products without added sugar usually harbor sweeteners like sugar alcohols, which may cause digestive distress, including bloating and gas, in some individuals. All the same, most ice creams are a rich source of phosphorus and calcium providing about 6 and 10% of the Daily Value (DV), respectively, per 1/2-cup (65-gram) serving. Both minerals are important for muscle function and skeletal health.
Ice cream can be part of a balanced diet, but it’s important to practice portion control and moderate your intake. Enjoy!
CREDIT: The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)
