# Ice cream flavors, best, worst, and weirdest **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 8, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897 "2023-01-08T23:31:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/141 "2023-03-14T16:29:10Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever had an ice cream I didn’t like, but my tastes have varied over the years. When I was a kid, I went through periods where my favorites were chocolate marshmallow and blueberry ripple. Nowadays I’m torn between vanilla bean and French vanilla. Each has its merits, and I’ll take whichever is available. If I’m having chocolate, I want it to be Dutch chocolate. I also love lemon cream, but I don’t see it all that often. Peach, rum cherry, and strawberry cheesecake are also at the top of my list. One thing I’d like to try is oyster ice cream, which was a big thing back in the days of the Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson served it to guests at the White House. Shrimp sounds like it might be good too. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/142 "2023-03-14T17:28:29Z")
Nobody will ever improve on vanilla, the best flavor by far. The weirdest one I’ve heard of that I hope is not currently being made is what was Dolly Madison’s favorite: oyster. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/143 "2023-03-18T22:28:32Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > One thing I’d like to try is oyster ice cream, which was a big thing back in the days of the Founding Fathers. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > The weirdest one I’ve heard of that I hope is not currently being made is what was Dolly Madison’s favorite: oyster. Double pinky jinx back! 😄 AFAICT, [oyster ice cream was not sweetened,](https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Spring10/icecream.cfm) but served as a sort of extreme form of cold cream soup in summer. Think of vichyssoise or ajo blanco, cranked up to 11. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/144 "2023-03-18T23:14:20Z")
In that case, I’ll try a bite. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/145 "2023-03-18T23:20:55Z")
I’ll add Dutch Apple Crumble to my list, especially when it’s topped with caramel or butterscotch. 🥰 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/146 "2023-03-18T23:43:48Z")
Cayenne Chocolate would be interesting to try. It’s a throwback to ancient Mesoamerica, where hot peppers and chocolate was a thing. Anybody ever had cinnamon ice cream? That’s another warm (and tasty) flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/147 "2023-03-18T23:49:01Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Anybody ever had cinnamon ice cream? I have tried it a long time ago. IIRC, it had a granular like texture that was not great. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/148 "2023-03-19T00:00:28Z")
Yeah, it’s just tree bark, so it has to be ground very, very fine. I remember Mark in _ **The Rifleman** _ saying they were “gonna serve some of that new stuff, ice cream” at his girlfriend’s birthday party. I guess he (or the writer) hadn’t done his history. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/149 "2023-03-19T01:11:27Z")
Ben and Jerry’s made a creme brulee for awhile that was to die for. ---
**Author:** ![sohvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sohvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sohvan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/150 "2023-03-19T07:45:15Z")
I’m partial to gelato I can get from specialty ice cream/coffee shops. One of my favorites I can get from a local store is a blueberry ice cream with 26% of the ingredient weight being blueberries. You can really taste the actual stuff compared to brands that just use “flavoring”. The only other ingredients in that ice cream are cream, sugar, milk, water, egg yolks and vanilla. Of course the cost is premium too. Some of the worst ice creams I’ve eaten are not about the flavors, but the basic ingredients. When the producer is using cheaper fats like coconut oil or palm oil to replace some of the milk fats, or worse replacing some of the sugar with sweeteners like erythritol or sorbitol. Even if replacing some of the sugar with sweeteners is theoretically a healthier low calorie option, I’d rather eat a smaller amount of the real stuff that actually tastes good. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/151 "2023-03-19T09:29:24Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Cayenne Chocolate would be interesting to try. See [my post #4](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/4). ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/152 "2023-03-20T00:23:09Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Anybody ever had cinnamon ice cream? That’s another warm (and tasty) flavor. And it’s fabulous with apple pie. But I did once have it and the flavor was way too cinnamony. I believe I mentioned it upthread. Cayenne Chocolate is indeed delicious when the ingredients are high quality. Also, I’d be willing to try that oyster flavor. I wonder if it wants some hot sauce? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/153 "2023-03-20T02:35:14Z")
The Midwestern maker Blue Bunny makes cinnamon and peppermint flavors at Christmastime, on top of the obligatory pumpkin spice every fall. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/154 "2023-03-20T04:35:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Anybody ever had cinnamon ice cream? That’s another warm (and tasty) flavor. The Stewart’s Shops dairy/convenience chain here in upstate NY a few years ago did a seasonal flavor called “Sweet Cinn”, and it was delish. I see some internetizens describe it as being a cinnamon sticky-bun texture/flavor thing, but I just remember it as cinnamon. Wish they’d bring that back! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/155 "2023-03-20T05:02:53Z")
Raw herring ice cream, courtesy of Atlas Obscura. > **[The Dutch Ice Cream That Comes With Raw Herring](https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/raw-herring-ice-cream?utm_medium=atlas-page&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR34gmFZMAxwk4g_Qz9HpdDGfpwAuScqDTfqXWhNFWuiJ8seFmClJzK7Wag)** > > Even its creator says to stick to one scoop. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/156 "2023-03-20T15:04:01Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Anybody ever had cinnamon ice cream? ISTR having some really good churro ice cream – cinnamon was a main ingredient – but have no idea which brand. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/157 "2023-03-20T15:28:51Z")
Pretty sure that was some special edition put out for Cinco de Mayo and it was in a 1½ quart container. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/158 "2023-03-20T22:09:13Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Raw herring ice cream I like herring. I like ice cream. I’d be willing to consume both on the same day. But not at the same time! ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/159 "2023-03-20T22:43:41Z")
The only cream I like with herring is sour cream. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897/160 "2023-03-20T22:56:45Z")
I proclaim the best flavor to be hazelnut gelato. The worst is anything made by a mass producer of ice cream, because they put something in it that really upsets my stomach. Whatever it is, they put the same stuff in commercially-produced sheet cakes and other bakery products. Horrible stuff. Yet I can eat any quantity of fancy gelato or homemade cake and it doesn’t bother me a bit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ice-cream-flavors-best-worst-and-weirdest/977897.md?page=9)