Ice cream was once a purely seasonal treat, best enjoyed in a cone with a flake by the seaside. But today, with so many brilliant flavours on our doorstep, it would be rude to relegate them to the warmer months alone.
British ice cream makers are having something of a moment. “I find that the most amazing part about British ice cream is the number of creative and passionate artisans,” says Catherine McNeil, The Ice Cream Alliance’s director of operations.
Some of the Ice Cream Alliance's members are family-owned businesses, she explains. They still use the traditional ice cream recipes passed down through generations.
Others are new and disruptive entrants to the industry, coming in with new flavours or unique ice cream parlour concepts.
Yet even with these duelling forces, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie amongst British ice cream makers. “Everyone pushes each other to greatness, but also works together to mentor everyone else in the ice cream industry,” Catherine explains.
Why buy British ice cream?
Josh Lee, founder and director of Northern Bloc, agrees that British ice cream is “something special”. He believes its quality can be put down to a few key factors, starting with the exceptional dairy used.
“Britain has a long tradition of farming excellence, and when you know where your milk comes from, how the cows are reared and what they’re fed, you get an ingredient that’s second to none. That care and traceability shine through in the final product,” he says.
Many British ice cream makers celebrate flavours that are central to British heritage. They take pride in where their ingredients come from, sourcing as locally as possible and championing classic British produce.
“It’s a celebration of ingredients that feel truly at home in a British ice cream,” Josh says. For example, Northern Bloc recently partnered with English Heritage to reimagine traditional puddings as ice creams, with the launch of Apple Crumble and Custard and Sticky Toffee Pudding ice creams. “It’s a nod to the comfort and nostalgia of British desserts, but cooler. Literally,” Josh says.
And finally, British producers take an artisanal approach that sates the nation’s growing appetite for “better quality, indulgent textures, exciting flavours, and ice creams that suit modern lifestyles,” he explains.
“British makers are leading the way by turning ice cream into something that’s not just a summer treat, but a year-round dessert,” Josh says.
What are the best ice cream flavours?
Today, the British ice cream market has an exciting mix of novel inventions alongside high-quality classic flavours.
When asked about favourite ice cream flavours, A poll of 2,000 adults by supermarket Ocado about favourite ice cream flavours revealed that traditions hold strong. The top ice cream flavours, according to the results, are:
1) Vanilla
2) Chocolate
3) Strawberry
4) Mint Choc Chip
5) Caramel/Salted Caramel
6) Rum and Raisin
7) Pistachio
8) Raspberry
9) Coffee
Innovative vs traditional
“Customers are always looking for something new. Whether it's matcha, Dubai chocolate, or olive oil and sea salt ice cream, ice cream is a great and highly versatile vehicle for creation,” Catherine from The Ice Cream Alliance says.
Creative innovations are also making headway in the form of exciting toppings. “Sprinkles, Cadbury Flakes, and cookies are definite mainstays, but ice cream businesses are starting to add bacon and maple syrup, hot sauce, marshmallow fluff, rainbow cones and more!”
And yet, Catherine believes, traditional ice cream flavours and gelato will always be in demand. But the best ice cream flavours are likely ones that re-imagine those classics.
“For example, finding ways to make them healthier, lighter, or more sustainable while still delivering the same taste and enjoyment to consumers.”
“Ice cream is nostalgic, playful and deeply rooted in food memories,” Josh adds. “In Britain, we do it with a mix of tradition, quality and creativity that sets us apart.”
9 of the best British ice creams
Grab your spoon and get ready to dig in. We’ve rounded up nine Great British Food Award winning ice cream flavours to try today...
