People Eat More Ice Cream Here Than Anywhere Else. You'll Be Surprised to Know Which Country It Is.
Ice cream is one of the most popular desserts across the world, it comes in so many different flavors that almost everyone can enjoy it!
Summer is the perfect season for going on holiday and, of course, eating lots of ice cream! But do you know which country eats the most ice cream? The answer might surprise you...
When we think of ice cream and its origins, it is easy to think of Italy and delicious gelato. However, it is thought that ice cream was actually invented in China, and it was Marco Polo who introduced this frozen delight to Italy. Despite this historical connection to gelato, Italy isn't the country that consumes the most ice cream today, though it still ranks among the top ten.
Surprisingly, New Zealand takes the top spot for ice cream consumption per capita. Kiwis enjoy an average of 28 liters of ice cream per person each year!
Vanilla is the favorite ice cream flavor in New Zealand, as it is in much of the world. But New Zealanders also love a flavor called 'hokey pokey', vanilla ice cream mixed with crunchy caramel bits. The quirky name has historical roots, dating back to when Italian immigrants sold cheap ice cream on the streets. The name might have come from a misheard Italian phrase, "ecco un poco," meaning "here's a little."
The United States comes in second, with Americans consuming about 20.8 liters of ice cream per person each year.
In Europe, Belgium leads the way, with each person buying over 16 liters of ice cream annually, according to 2020 Eurostat data. Portugal and Poland follow closely behind, with 14.18 and 13.6 liters per person. The Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, and Finland also enjoy their fair share, while Italy surprisingly lags behind.
In Latin America, Chile takes the crown, with almost eleven liters of ice cream consumed per person each year. Argentina isn't far behind, with about nine liters per person.
Ice cream's history is full of surprises, with flavors constantly evolving. Beyond classics, you can find inventive options like carrot, sweet potato, onion, garlic, avocado, soy sauce, goat cheese, wasabi, and even ketchup or mac and cheese. What its your favorite flavor, and how does your ice cream consumption compare to New Zealand?