Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the United States, and possibly the world. Its natural flavor enhances this frozen dessert, creating a sweet and creamy harmony between taste, texture, flavor, and aroma. Whether in a soft serve ice cream cone or plant-based gelato, vanilla is a universally recognizable flavor. Dive deeper into the food science and sensory profiles of vanilla flavor – and learn why we love it!
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Why we love vanilla
Before we can tackle the long and fascinating history of how vanilla became the most popular ice cream flavor in the world, we need to understand how it captivates our senses. Ask anyone to smell an unmarked bottle of vanilla extract and you will observe a fairly universal phenomenon: the sniffer’s eyes will close lightly with perhaps the faintest hint of eyelash flutter; the muscles in the face, neck, and shoulders will relax; and the corners of the mouth will curve gently upwards in the tell-tale sign of pleasure and fond recollection. As if by instinct, humans are drawn to the scent of vanilla from the depths of their being. Why are we so in love with vanilla flavor?
Small clinical studies suggest that olfactory exposure to vanillin (the key characterizing note in natural vanilla extract) may soothe and calm distressed infants. A recent study of breast fed infants presents a possible reason for this: under the natural condition of breast-feeding, infants become familiar with flavors, such as vanilla, that are transferred from the mother’s diet to the infant through her breast milk. These early flavor experiences may impact what foods a child gravitates towards later on. If this is true, we are quite literally passing a passion for flavor from one generation to the next. Could this be how our universal love for vanilla was born?
Should you use vanilla or vanillin in ice cream?
Vanillin is the key characterizing compound found in natural vanilla flavor. In pure vanilla extract, it is supported by hundreds of other natural flavor compounds which add depth and complexity.Vanillin is found in many natural sources, including wood. The “vanilla” note in oak-aged Chardonnay and bourbon is vanillin that the alcohol extracted from the barrels.
Which should you use to flavor vanilla ice cream: Pure vanilla or vanillin? Vanillin is less expensive but affordability comes with a reduction in flavor quality. Pure vanilla extract and vanilla WONF (vanilla extract with other natural flavors) will have greater aromatic complexity and a richer, fuller taste. When vanilla is the main flavor of an ice cream, we recommend using the best vanilla you can buy as it will be the showcase of your recipe or formulation.
Why vanilla makes ice cream taste sweet
Anyone who has enjoyed an ice cream sundae knows that vanilla has an uncanny way of making sweet things taste even sweeter. Whether by positive association of vanilla with sweet foods we remember eating, or by the synergistic effect of vanilla aromatics with sweet taste perception (or most likely both), vanilla has a way of enhancing sweetness perception in food and beverages.
For years food scientists have understood this. We use vanilla flavor whenever we want a confection to taste sweeter, or when formulating for sugar replacement and reduction. If our nose “thinks” an item will be sweet when we smell it, then it often”tastes” sweeter than it actually is. Additionally, the sweet aromatics of vanilla can serve to lift other sweet-smelling proteins, carbohydrates, aldehydes, and esters in a blend. In sensory science we call this phenomenon “flavor potentiation.”
3 popular vanilla ice cream flavors
Did you know that the most popular ice cream flavor in the world is not a single flavor? Vanilla ice cream is available in many different versions, each appealing to a different audience or application. Here are three of the most popular vanilla ice cream flavors along with their flavor profiles.
1. Old fashioned vanilla ice cream flavor
Old fashioned vanilla is the traditional vanilla ice cream flavor. It’s rich and creamy with a rounded, marshmallow flavor that harmonizes with notes of cream, custard, and sugar. This is the comfort food flavor we remember from our childhood. Old fashioned vanilla is familiar, approachable, and nostalgic. In other words, it’s a winner!
2. Vanilla bean ice cream flavor
Vanilla bean has a lighter, more floral taste than old fashioned vanilla. Its vanilla bean specks add visual interest and a higher concentration of flavor. Vanilla bean flavor is perfect for premium ice cream and gelato brands as it is a sign of high quality vanilla. Vanilla bean is also popular with organic and plant-based consumers as it conveys a more natural, whole plant image.
3. French vanilla ice cream flavor
French vanilla is synonymous with vanilla custard. Egg yolks in the sweet cream base deliver a rich, slightly savory flavor and silky texture. French vanilla appeals to many consumers who enjoy its mild sweetness and deeper flavor. Its association with French cuisine give it a premium image, too.
What other flavors pair well with vanilla?
Vanilla pairs beautifully with dairy – if it didn’t, it wouldn’t be the most popular ice cream flavor in the world! However, this complex flavor harmonizes with many other flavor families. Vanilla’s deep earthy, woody notes pair flawlessly with chocolate and cocoa. Vanilla beans are fermented prior to extraction, and therefore marry well with other naturally fermented products such as tea, coffee, spirits, wine, and bread. Of course, vanilla is a natural choice for enhancing sweetness in bakery, dessert, and confectionary items. One category that vanilla traditionally doesn’t play in is savory, however that is changing as we see sauces, dry rubs, and brines flavored with vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste.
Looking for some ice cream innovation? Start with a vanilla sweet cream base and then add combinations of these complementary flavor pairings. Leverage the power of the most popular ice cream flavor to help you create exciting new products that consumers will love!
The most popular vanilla ice cream flavors
Whether you need a robust and complex Vanilla Bean ice cream flavor or a creamier French Vanilla, we can help! We offer pure vanilla extracts, vanilla WONF, sustainable vanilla, certified organic vanilla, and vanilla flavor powders. Request a sample today!
Sustainable vanilla ice cream flavors
We also invite you to try our Kilimanjaro Vanilla, a sustainably sourced pure vanilla extract from Tanzania. Its exceptional quality and purpose-led mission make this one of the best vanillas in the world. By using Kilimanjaro Vanilla in your products, you can support sustainable futures for vanilla and vanilla farmers, while contributing to critical conservation efforts in Africa.
Watch our Kilimanjaro Vanilla Discovery Video to learn more:
