Desserts Ice Cream

The Coolest Ice Cream Trends for 2023

The ice cream segment is booming with exciting new products brought on the market to satisfy consumers who are hungry for new experiences. The global market is thriving, with the category expected to grow by five percent to global revenues of $20.2 billion by 2024.

Arecent report from Marketing Media Plus combined Instagram trends analysis with research assessing market sentiment to identify some of the top trends that will be shaping innovation in the ice cream space.

Even in this indulgence dominated treat category, Marketing Media Plus found health concerns were front of mind with shoppers seeking out fewer calories, more protein, and ingredients like CBD (in markets where it is available), fibre, and probiotics.

Analysing Google search information found that out of the top 20 flavour searches, vanilla made up over 16 percent with over 33,000 searches per month. Marketing Media Plus believes more adventurous flavour fads will grow in popularity, however, such as flavour ‘mash-ups’, alcoholic ice cream and spiced ice cream. The following are the coolest trends in ice cream leading into 2023.

A Desire for Dairy-Free

Ice creams without dairy ingredients aren’t just for the lactose intolerant anymore. Of global consumers, 53 percent consider plant-based alternatives because it is healthier. Mainstream appeal for plant-based indulgence is driving expansion to more market categories and regions. With double-digit sales growth across the globe, most ice cream brands are introducing or considering dairy alternatives

The development of new products such as milk alternatives is really helping to grow the possibilities for plant-based ice creams without compromising on flavour and quality.

Premium Indulgence

Ice cream is all about indulgence and we’re seeing some sophisticated flavours coming through, using premium ingredients to elevate ice cream to another level. Examples of this are alcohol infusions, chai tea and botanicals such as lavender.

An Innova Consumer Survey from 2020 noted that three in five global consumers are interested in trying new sensory experiences (e.g. aromas, tastes, textures, colours, sensations). More than ever, brands make sure their innovations are created to appeal to all senses: taste, mouthfeel, texture but also visual appeal in one scoop.

Lifestyle-Specific Options

Consumers feel less guilty when they indulge with low calorie ice cream options. Calorie counts on ice cream products riding this trend are appearing in large font on the front of the package. It’s also not uncommon to see consumers turning to food for functional benefits and added goodness, in many categories including ice cream. Now ice cream can offer indulgence and an added sense of well-being.

Ongoing anxiety stemming from COVID-19 will continue to push consumers toward prioritising their immune health. Three in four consumers globally say that being mentally healthy boosts the immune system. As a result, consumers are looking for indulgence as a mood booster while keeping their immune system in check. Ingredients that can achieve this include Elderberry which is high in Vitamin C, Hibiscus which contains antioxidants, and Aloe Vera – a medicinal plant for boosting immunity.

Nostalgia

The resurgence of nostalgia has been on the rise across all food and beverage categories, especially as consumers looked for comforting foods and flavours during the pandemic. Ice cream is one of the ultimate comfort foods - think retro flavours like rhubarb and custard, banana, and raspberry ripple.

Flavour Mashups Beyond Sweet and Savoury

The combination of sweet and savoury has been popular for a long time, great examples are chicken and waffles, pineapple on pizza and more relevant to ice cream, salted caramel. Now the savoury trend is moving on with some adventurous flavours emerging including the use of smoked, charred and even burnt flavours to add a touch of savoury to ice cream. For example, charred bananas or burnt milk.

Look outside sweet treats for a unique flavour innovation that pushes boundaries for adventurous consumers. Potato chips, French fries, and salty pretzels can add unique texture and sensory experiences. For funkier flavours, add blue cheese, avocado or corn.

Consumers are loving the merge of their favourite flavours with innovative twists, and this really works when it comes to ice cream. The most popular flavour mash ups with ice cream are with classic confectionery bars, desserts and even bakery products such as biscuits and gingerbread.

With dessert parlours on the rise, so is the expectation of desserts and ice cream, so why not embrace the loaded and indulgence trend led by these parlours and add something spectacular to your menus.

Chateau Rocky Road Ice Cream

Move over Hokey Pokey, there’s a new Sheriff in town! Chateau ice cream has a fun new flavour called “Rocky Road’’ for Summer. Based on the chocolate treat of the same name, it’s a rich chocolate ice cream packed with mini marshmallows, scented with berries, and full of chocolate cookie pieces. Ideal in a cone, on a plate with a dessert, or in a Mega Shake. Available Nationally from Bidfood in a conveniently resealable 5L tub and the bigger 16L cardboard carton.

Little Island Mango Passion Organic Coconut Ice Cream

Made in New Zealand from natural ingredients, Little Island blend their decadent dairy-free coconut-based ice cream with either real fruit, chocolate or Heilala vanilla to give a truly delicious and authentic taste experience everyone can enjoy. Tropical flavours align in this fresh mango ripple folded through Little Island’s famous passionfruit coconut ice cream, a perfect taste sensation to celebrate the start of Summer. Single serve tubs have been developed off the success of their larger counterparts.

Kohu Road Flat White Ice Ceam

Kohu Road has an unrelenting pursuit of producing beautiful, decadent ice cream that sources the best ingredients for the pleasure of enjoying. This glutenfree, full-bodied, smooth, and creamy ice cream with a 100 percent Arabica coffee swirl won a Gold Award at this year’s Inspire+ NZ Artisan Awards. Every tub of ice cream is free from preservatives, artificial flavours, colours, stabilisers, and gums.

Paeka¯ka¯riki Pops

Paeka¯ka¯riki pops are all handmade and bursting with real fruit, with as much locally sourced and organic fruit as possible. Containing no dairy products and less sugar than a normal ice block. Flavours change depending on what seasonal fruit is available, but can include delicious combinations such as Raspberry Lemonade, Avocado & Lime, Lime Lemongrass & Ginger (which all won Bronze at this year’s Inspire+ NZ Artisan Awards), Strawberry & Kiwi, Pineapple Coconut & Lime, Roasted Plum and Coconut Yoghurt, and Orange & Raspberry.