Data: Instacart; Note: Calculated by comparing the share of most popular selected flavors within a state and selecting flavors whose share deviates most from the average; Graphic: Jacque Schrag and Sarah Grillo/Axios
A new analysis of the most uniquely popular ice cream flavors by state reveals orange sherbet and rocky road ice cream are each the most popular in 11 states, according to summer 2023 purchase data from Instacart.
The big picture: While there are some regional trends in the top flavors, like rocky road in the West and moose tracks in the Midwest, many states have a different top unique flavor than their neighbors.
Overall, classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream are the most popular flavors nationwide.