Ice cream is a timeless dessert that brings joy and satisfaction to many. From classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla to unique combinations like cookie dough and mint chocolate chip, there's a flavor for everyone's taste buds. However, not all ice cream flavors are created equal, and some have garnered a reputation for being less than desirable.
Where there's a will, there's a way, and if there's a way to put a flavor - any flavor - into ice cream, there's a decent chance someone has tried it, consequences be damned. Without further ado, here is a list of the worst ice cream flavors.
Ranch
In a press release, representatives from Hidden Valley and collaborator (co-conspirator?) Van Leeuwen admitted that ranch and ice cream may not be a typical pairing, but their surprise marriage delivers a "surprisingly tasty twist on the sweet treat."
As a reminder, ranch dressing is made primarily from a combination of buttermilk, sugar, salt, egg yolk, garlic, onion, and vinegar. To put it another way: ok, sure, yes, hmm, uhh, wait, what?
Smurf Flavor
This sugary blue ice cream is available in Italy and Poland. A local review described it in the following colorful manner:
"Blue, disgusting, and what's worse, parents think it's good for kids just because of the name."
Here's to hoping that common sense prevails and that we can get a petition going in the next NATO summit to ban Smurf ice cream for good.
Durian and Oreo
There are tales of unwitting tourists in Thailand procuring what they believed to be coconut-flavored ice cream and getting quite the sensory shock.
Now, durian by itself isn't something we're ready to put on this list - after all, it is a beloved delicacy that has been crowned the "King of Fruits" in Southeast Asia. But Durian and Oreo? Pass. Super pass.
Oyster
It's been documented that this was First Lady Dolley Madison's favorite ice cream flavor. A small, sweet variety of oyster was the preferred ingredient of her decidedly eclectic preference. Now, we can give Mrs. Madison a pass for her taste, given that she accomplished the impressive feat of making ice cream before modern freezers were invented. But please, let this one stay in the history books.
Mint Chocolate Chip
We're not afraid of a little controversy. This is a staple of grocery store freezers, but there's a real backlash out there against this palate-numbing number. Here's a relevant question that may spark some soul-searching: does mint make chocolate chip better? Follow-up question: Does mint actually make anything better, other than halitosis?
Wasabi
We felt reasonably confident that this may have only been invented to sucker suggestible people into outlandish dares. Upon further investigation, we confirmed that wasabi ice cream is, in fact, served in Japanese theme parks. It comes in mild, medium, and shudders, hot.
Popcorn
The consensus is admittedly divided on this one, with some claiming that popcorn can be quite tasty in ice cream with proper preparation. From a chef's recommendation on making this a palatable dish:
"Puree the popcorn with cream and stabilizer, pass the base through a fine mesh strainer, and then use whole popcorn on top as a garnish."
Many cast justified derision on this unholy fusion, which smacks of a wacky promotion that puts a movie theater out of business.
Licorice
Nothing says love it or hate it like licorice. Something about that distinct anise flavor elicits a strong reaction, turning an ordinary snack debate into a shouting match.
A Canadian twist on it known as "Tiger Tail" features an orange and black swirl aesthetic. Not surprisingly, this has been left out of Canadian tourism brochures.
Kraft Mac and Cheese
The fact that this exists brings up some real philosophical questions. Van Leeuwen, the makers of this franken-dessert, write in their description:
"Have you ever met someone who didn't smile while eating ice cream? Or while eating a comforting bowl of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese? Yeah, we didn't think so."
But does mashing up two things that independently taste good mean the end result will also taste good? If that were true, where does it end? Pizza milkshakes? Milk beer?
Blood Ice Cream
Hankering for a cone during Halloween? Or just looking to spice up a vampire-themed party? Okay, we should mention that this is pig blood, not human. It was part of Salt and Straw's limited run "Spooktacular Series" in 2017.
Will it be back? We're going to go out on a limb and say that this is one flavor best left frozen in time.
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