Your Favorite Ice Cream May Reveal These Things About Your Personality

If your choice on National Ice Cream Day on Sunday is classic vanilla ice cream, you’re as chill as the scoop itself, a minimalist and well-balanced person. You don’t get anxious or stressed and find bliss in simple, everyday moments.

That’s according to The Kitchn, a food and home cooking site, which looked at nearly a dozen flavors of ice cream and what your favorite may reveal about you.

“My fave is pistachio and, OMG, this is hilariously on point,” one reader said in the comments section.

“While initially you might come off as reserved, you really have a strong, unique personality,” the site says of pistachio ice cream lovers. “You are creative and complex. You might live in a city now, but always dream about moving to the country and starting your own farm. You are boundless and attract like-minded people.”

A Window To The Soul?

The Kitchn didn’t explain the methodology that led to such a specific suggestion that while navigating the subway, the pistachio ice cream lover is always thinking about getting a few chickens and perhaps a goat and what time of year to plant the garden.

But it’s not quackery, according to Greg Tucker, who spent 20 years researching ice cream preferences relate to personality in Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, France, the U.K. and the United States.

It’s unusual for people to pick a flavor, stick with it and never try others of the hundreds of ice cream flavors available for sampling, Tucker told BBC Food.

“What you have is a person who wants vanilla one day, and the next salted caramel, but there’s a balance of usages that reveal something about them,” he said.

“Ice cream is not a complete window on your soul,” the marketing expert said in the 2022 interview. “If I see you eating an ice cream, I can’t immediately say everything about your personality. But I can see what’s going on in terms of the mood in that moment.”

A Grapefruit Personality?

Research has established robust links between personality characteristics and a preference for different tastes, including sweets like ice cream, Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford Charles Spence wrote in a National Library of Medicine review of the literature.

He noted the link between basic tastes and personality is firmly embedded in the English language in common phrases suggesting a person is sweet, bitter or sharp.

“Just think about it, you would never describe someone as having a ‘grapefruit’ or ‘chocolate’ personality, now, would you?” Spence wrote. “But if you were to describe them as sweet, then you would presumably be taken to mean that they are pleasant, kind, and gentle towards others.”

The Breast Milk Of Ice Cream

However, Tucker’s take on what people are feeling when they order a scoop of vanilla ice cream is far different from The Kitchn’s.

“This is the person who's looking for reassurance and security,” Tucker said. “They’re probably a slightly nervy, slightly anxious person.”

Why?

“Because vanilla ice cream is the closest thing that adults have to breast milk. It is sweet, dairy fat with the overriding taste of vanilla.”

More On Pistachio

Pistachio ice cream aficionados are “looking to find the sophistication and style that it can bring, alongside intensity,” he said. “It has a subtle, enigmatic quality to it and for the person who’s eating it, being enigmatic and sophisticated reflects who they are. There’s no childlike simplicity and reinforcement required, you are evolving and changing.”

This suggests that buying a farm isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the always blooming pistachio ice cream lover who lives among skyscrapers.

Below are more hot takes on ice cream flavors and the personalities of people who prefer them.

Chocolate

The Kitchn: You lead a life of joy and self-love. While you have strong opinions about things, you are always open to explore new ideas and different experiences than your own. …”

Tucker: “… You want to enjoy moments of being self-indulgent and could be quite hedonistic! You’re trying to look beyond pleasure and want to wallow and indulge in it and please yourself. … You’re one of these people for whom the outside constraints, are maybe not there.”

Strawberry

The Kitchn: “Your friends would describe you as fiercely loyal and energetic. You’re always the one who wants to go out after work or school — even after a long day. You enjoy working out in the morning and have a deep love for animals.”

Tucker: “… You’re somebody who just needs a little pick me up every now and then to set them up and get going again. It’s the person who’s a little uncertain, but they really want to get on with life, and they’ve got an energetic drive as well and are outgoing and upbeat.”

Caramel/Salted Caramel

The Kitchn: “You have a deep, multi-faceted soul. You probably enjoy yoga or meditation, and work at a job that challenges you. You love cats, and your wardrobe probably includes a lot of black things. While some might be intimidated by you, you’re actually kinda shy and are generally a caring person.”

Tucker: “… You have a grown-up stylishness, almost a ‘look at me’ self-confidence. You’re saying ‘Yeah, I can decode things and I can understand things.’ It's not arrogance though.”

Mint Chocolate Chip

The Kitchn: “You’re pretty cool, to be honest. In high school you might not have been the most popular kid, but you hung around that crowd. You’re a balanced person — you like running and watching football, but you also love going to see a play. You’re loved by everyone and just want to have a good time.”

Tucker: “It’s quite a chaotic flavour. There’s two strong elements almost fighting each other, the mint which brings freshness and energy, and the chocolate that brings indulgence. … It’s two halves that don't belong together.”

Coffee

The Kitchn: “You’re an introvert who is often found reading in coffee shops alone. You love being by yourself. Your ideal night is taking a long walk and maybe meeting up with a friend from college and having good conversation over a beer.”

Tucker: “Coffee is one of these great, undelivered promises. It’s never as good as either it’s recalled or hoped for. The aroma is so wonderful, but it sets you up for disappointment because it won’t taste as good as it smells. So, coffee ice cream is for the person who knows it’s not going to be quite as good as they hoped. But that’s a reflection on life.”

Raspberry Ripple

Tucker, who told BBC Food there’s no need to apologize if, for example, your favorite ice cream prompts a visceral reaction in others.

“There is no such thing as a bad ice cream!” he declared.

His favorite is raspberry ripple.

“This offers reassuring escapism. While the raspberry ripple offers a streak of bright optimism, energy and upbeat excitement, it is founded on something secure and sound. You understand, that while life can be exciting, it needs stable foundations.” Tucker said.

The Rest

The Kitchn’s observations on other ice cream flavors include:

Cookie dough: “You are resourceful and crafty. Your home is filled with DIY projects you found on Pinterest, and you’re always throwing affordable dinner parties.”

Cookies and cream: “You’re smooth and personable with a sense of humor. You don’t take much seriously, but love to learn and grow with whatever you’re doing at the moment. You’re not one for following trends, but you always seem cool no matter the circumstance.”

Rocky road: “You are adventurous and love being outside. You dream of owning a motorcycle and traveling across the country. You’ve had some ups and downs in your life, but you like to think positively. When there are campfires, tents, and stars in the world, things can’t be so bad.”

One-ingredient banana ice cream: “You are freaking brilliant, and probably super healthy. Maybe you run marathons in your spare time, or write award-winning books. Probably both. Everyone loves you. Your face has been the inspiration for many a butter sculpture at your local state fair.”

Bubble gum: “You probably just learned how to ride a bike, and enjoy watching Mom and Dad chase you around the neighborhood. Your favorite movie is ‘Minions,’ and you want to grow up to be a soccer player. You’re really mad at Billy right now because he wouldn’t share your favorite toy with you at daycare last week. Billy sucks.”

Sorbet: “You are very in tune with your body. You listen to and respect yourself — even when people make fun of you or when it’s hard. You love having plants at home — succulents or a garden, maybe, if you live somewhere with lots of green space. You don’t like clutter.”

What if ice cream just never appealed to you?

“As you look into the dark abyss that is your life, how do you feel inside?” The Kitchn wanted to know. “Is it a cold, sad place? Is it lonely and maybe a little dangerous? Go get a scoop of ice cream and feel what real love tastes like.”

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