The small batch ice cream parlor in your town may be grand. But look, there’s usually no substitute for the pleasure of being able to walk to your freezer, rather than take a trip to an ice cream shop. We’ve all got our flavor preferences, but when it comes to the packaged stuff, which brands do we prefer?
Coffeeness recently put together a report based on Google Trends data that mapped our favorite packaged ice cream by state. Want to see if you’ll agree with what your state chose? Take a look.
1. Ben and Jerry’s
Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin
This doesn’t feel like much of a surprise. While I personally don’t really get the hype behind everybody’s favorite goofball ice cream makers, I’ve been surrounded by those who love Ben & Jerry’s my entire life. Cherry Garcia is pretty good, but overall, Ben & Jerry’s is a little too busy for me. Yeah, I said it.
2. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Jeni’s is only a little over 20 years old, so it’s cool to see her rolling with the big dogs on this one. Splendid indeed; Jeni’s is always consistent, always tasty, and for my money, rocks the best salted caramel flavor you can buy at a grocery store.
3. Tillamook
Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
Tillamook, on the other hand, is over 100 years old. It’s from Oregon, too, so the PNW presence makes sense. Mook’s ice cream is absolutely wonderful, so creamy and full of high-quality ingredients (are these the best chocolate chips in the game?) that add to a perfect ice cream experience. The mint chocolate chip might be enough to help it take third place alone.
4. Braum’s
Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma
I’ve never heard of Braum’s. Looks like they’ve got soft serve ice cream, which I appreciate. This is the part where I start getting mad that not enough states chose Häagen-Dazs.
5. Graeter’s
Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio
Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio got together to conspire and invent a fake ice cream company called Graeter’s, just to make me mad they didn’t pick Häagen-Dazs. I’m sure of this. Apparently, Graeter’s is known for its Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip flavor, which I will admit, sounds good. O.K., fine, I’m back in, let’s go try it.
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6. Blue Bunny
Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota
I mostly know Blue Bunny for ice cream treats other than a packed pint. The cones are tasty, but I’m still struggling to believe that Blue Bunny’s overall portfolio is stronger than Dazs.
7. Häagen-Dazs
Alaska, Hawaii
TWO states? TWO? Only in the farthest reaches into the west of our country do we prefer what is clearly the most superior packaged ice cream? Have these bingbongs even tried Häagen-Dazs’ coffee ice cream? I need to take a trip around this country and start giving out pints. The people need to learn.
8. Turkey Hill
Delaware, Pennsylvania
Turkey Hill, once a Kroger brand, is now only popular in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Who knew packaged ice cream could be so regional?
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9. Blue Bell Creameries
Louisiana, Mississippi
Also, over 100 years old, you’d expect Blue Bell to be a whole lot more popular, but nope. We’re looking at the South for this one, though interestingly, it wasn’t the favorite of Texas, where the company is headquartered.
10. Hudsonville
Michigan
This is a Michigan specialty, so this makes sense. The fruity, bubblegummy Blue Moon flavor is famous in the area, and a must-try for anybody who loves regional flavors.
11. Halo Top
North Dakota
North Dakota must be on some sort of extreme diet; either that, or they’ve never tasted other types of ice cream before. Halo Top is good, great even, for a low-calorie ice cream, but compared to the real stuff? Compared to The Dazs? It’s not even close.
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