Whether to go on the hand or as a delicious dessert – ice cream gives small moments of happiness and makes hot summer days a little more beautiful. As every year, there are new ice cream trends in 2022 that provide variety and diversity in gastronomy. We show you which new ice cream varieties and ice cream specialties will be trendy in 2022 and why you should not ignore the issue of sustainability when it comes to ice cream.
1. Ice cream trend 2022: Stracciatella-rosemary ice cream
For 22 years, Uniteis, the Union of Italian Ice Cream Manufacturers, has named the ice cream flavor of the year. However, in recent years a certain trend seems to have evolved – a classic type of ice cream combined with special herbs or spices. In recent years, for example, exciting compositions such as basil-lemon or chili-mango have been named ice cream of the year.
Also in 2022, a special ice cream creation can look forward to the Ice Cream of the Year award: Stracciatella with rosemary. Stracciatella ice cream has been one of the most popular flavors for many years. With a touch of rosemary, the classic gets a Mediterranean touch, reminiscent of wild and romantic landscapes and revives the flavor of the last Italian vacation.
2. Ice cream trend 2022: Vegan ice cream
Vegan nutrition has long since ceased to be a trend, but has established itself as a fixed concept in gastronomy in many places. The same goes for ice cream. While fruity sorbets are already naturally vegan, there are also many plant-based alternatives for milk ice cream that can replace cow's milk and cream. Whether almond, oat, coconut milk or rapeseed and sunflower oil – the options for vegan milk substitutes are many. In terms of taste, vegan ice creams are hardly inferior to milk-based ice creams. After all, ice cream makers are returning to their roots – in the past, chocolate and nut ice cream were prepared as sorbets. Eventually, cocoa and nuts already contain enough fat and flavor, so they don't necessarily need the addition of milk or cream.
3. Ice cream trend 2022: Nitrogen ice cream
An ice cream creation that owes its fame to a spectacular production method is nitrogen ice cream. At around -200 °C, the bubbling and steaming nitrogen meets a mixture of milk, cream, sugar and other ingredients that determine the flavor of the ice cream. Under rapid stirring, everything is flash frozen in 30 to 40 seconds.
Even if this sounds a bit like a fairy tale; blast freezing also has a practical benefit, as only tiny ice crystals are formed in the process. In this way, the ice cream becomes particularly creamy and also tastes very intense, since hardly any air is blown in. However, the method has one drawback – it is technically complex, and liquid nitrogen has its price. However, if you want to offer your guests something extravagant for both the eye and the palate, the investment may be worthwhile.
4. Ice cream trend 2022: Rolled ice cream
A no less interesting live show can be enjoyed with the so-called rolled ice cream. The method was invented in Thailand, but its international breakthrough came in New York. And meanwhile, the ice cream rolls instead of scoops are also becoming a real sales hit in Germany. Not only can they be arranged in a visually appealing way, like a flower for example, but they also taste extremely delicious thanks their fresh ingredients.
The secret behind rolled ice cream is the plate, which is cooled down to -30 °C, on which the ingredients are first spread and then chopped and mixed together with two spatulas. Finally, the ice cream mass is spread thinly and evenly and rolled up web by web. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes, and the ice cream rolls impress with their creamy consistency.
5. Ice cream trend 2022: Protein ice cream
The ice cream season 2022 also has something to offer for fitness lovers – protein ice cream is the healthy alternative to conventional ice cream and, despite lower-calorie ingredients, is full of delight and refreshment on hot summer days. Fitness ice cream is made by using milk or whey proteins; for vegan varieties, pea protein is used. Overall, protein ice cream contains significantly less fat. Sugar is replaced by maple syrup or a sweetener such as erythritol.
Well-known ice cream makers show the way and use only healthy ingredients for protein ice cream that you would also eat in their pure form. With just three ingredients, such as cashew cream as a base, dates for sweetness and a flavoring ingredient such as raspberry or hazelnut, you can create delicious, healthy ice cream that can be eaten with no regrets.
6. Ice cream trend 2022: Cocktail ice cream
This year, cocktails are not only for sipping, but also for licking. Cocktail ice is in vogue and perfectly suited as a cool alternative to the classic cocktail. Whether on a stick, as a scoop or in crushed form in a glass – ice creams such as mojito, daiquiri, margarita, Aperol or Moscow Mule, but also fruit liqueurs, must not be missing in the summer of 2022.
Frozen cocktails are wonderful to be served as an aperitif, dessert or at the evening cocktail special and are also perfect for caterers who want to give their guests that extra something at corporate events, summer parties or bachelor parties. Ice cream cocktails can be purchased ready-made from certain suppliers or made yourself in just a few simple steps. Cocktail ice cream, however, is, of course, only suitable for the adult guests.
7. Ice cream trend 2022: Sustainability
The topic of sustainability does not stop at ice cream in the summer of 2022. To make plastic packaging and cutlery a thing of the past, restaurateurs should look to eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials, such as coconut shells, or reusable tableware like ceramic, porcelain or stone bowls. Those who prefer to buy ready-made products should make sure that the packaging is environmentally friendly, contains as little plastic as possible and can be disposed of sustainably. And when it comes to the ingredients used, value should be placed on regionally sourced produce – because more and more guests are consciously paying attention to such sustainability aspects.
