Derry's favourite ice cream flavour revealed - and the results may surprise you!

Morelli’s Ice Cream, which boasts 18 hotspots in Derry, has unveiled the county’s most popular ice cream flavour of summer 2023. While the majority of Northern Ireland’s sweet-treat fanatics are content with the classic comfort of Double Cream Vanilla, the people of Derry have broken the mould and declared Honeycomb as their champion. Armagh is the only other place who didn’t have Double Cream Vanilla at the top of the list.

2023 sales data from Morelli’s Ice Cream shows that Honeycomb is the most popular flavour in Derry, followed by Double Cream Vanilla in second place and Raspberry Ripple in third.

Summer’ 23 was a season of new flavours, which proved popular with ice cream connoisseurs in the north. Morelli’s launched several new flavours, including Butterscotch and Cheeky Monkey (Chocolate Ice Cream with a Banana Ripple). One of its newest flavours, Toffee Popcorn, piqued the interests of many ice cream fans, with sales increasing by 12% of the later part of the summer. Morelli’s candyfloss-flavoured ice cream, Unicorn, has edged Bubblegum out of the top ten best-selling flavours of the year. Unicorn’s sweetness, mixed with its vibrant colours, has resulted in the flavour becoming a firm favourite this summer.

The famous tub and cone debate can be put to bed for another year, as Morelli’s reveals that tubs account for 60% of its ice cream sales in 2023, ahead of cones at 40%. A generational divide is also emerging, with the majority of cone sales coming from pensioners, whilst people aged between 18-45 preferred tubs and larger servings.

Commenting on this year’s ice cream trends, Daniela Morelli-Kerr from Morelli’s Ice Cream said: “While traditional flavours like Honeycomb remain popular in Derry, we’re seeing a real shift towards more modern flavours like Unicorn and Toffee-Popcorn. We believe this is being driven by social media trends and a desire for ice cream that not only tastes good but looks good too.

“There are many highlights of working in ice cream production, but a highlight for the Morelli’s team is the opportunity to create these weird and wonderful new flavours. While it’s these flavours that grab the headlines in the ice cream world, our sales data shows that we still have a soft spot for traditional flavours that are being enjoyed in tubs and cones across the country, mostly on a Sunday!”

The sales figures have been released by Morelli’s Ice Cream following a successful year for the company, expanding into Sainsbury’s, winning two 3-star Great Taste Awards and a gold Irish Quality Food and Drink award for its Dunnes Stores range. The brand also collaborated with Hartley’s Jelly at the start of summer 23’ with a hamper competition.