The Best Ice Cream Flavor Invented In Every Region

In a country as big, as diverse, and as varied as the United States, it only makes sense that we have an incredible number of ice cream flavors to choose from. In fact, each state in the country has its own iconic ice cream flavor, among many others that may not get quite the same level of hype as these beloved favorites. But now, we're looking at some of the best ice cream flavors not by state but by region. These flavors cross state lines and boundaries, defining entire regions of the country with their deliciousness.

We're taking a closer look at seven specific regions in the country, including New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the Southeast, and the Midwest, in addition to the Rocky Mountain region, the Southwest, and Pacific Coastal states, including both Hawaii and Alaska. In each of these regions, we're highlighting one particularly tasty ice cream flavor that was invented in one of the region's states and taking a look at why it's so good. In some cases, we'll dig even deeper into what these ice cream flavors say about the history and identity of the region as a whole. So, grab a spoon, pull a pint of your favorite flavor out of the fridge, and learn more about the many, varied, and iconic ice cream flavors this country has to offer.

Now, we don't want to pick favorites on this list, but the maple creamee might just be one of the best ice cream flavors of all time, and it hails from New England, or more specifically, from the beautiful state of Vermont. As the name suggests, this is a maple syrup-flavored ice cream. But part of what gives it its identity is not just the flavor but the texture as well. A maple creamee is a sort of soft serve with lower milkfat, creating a lovely combination of a light texture and a deep, complex flavor profile. Ideally, it's also made with a nice sprinkle of salt, which creates a beautiful harmony between those sweet and savory flavors. Toppings are optional, and in our opinion, largely unnecessary.

If you want to try a maple creamee for yourself, Vermont is obviously the best place to go. In fact, there's even a Vermont maple creamee trail that will allow you to try several different takes on the regional classic. However, you may be able to find this ice cream style and flavor in other states in New England ... if you're lucky.

You might assume that the best ice cream flavor to hail from the Mid-Atlantic states would come from some famous ice cream spot in New York City. In reality, though, we think that Pennsylvania offers a much more interesting, unique frozen treat: teaberry ice cream. If you just took a look at this ice cream, you might assume that it would have a fruity, berry-forward flavor. After all, the hue is bright pink, with an almost neon color that immediately looks like something a kid would pick out. However, that color comes with an unexpected flavor profile — teaberry ice cream is known for its intense mintiness.

Despite that minty flavor, teaberry ice cream actually is made with berries. Teaberries come from the same plant that's often referred to as "wintergreen" — yes, like the gum flavor. This isn't a flavor you can find everywhere, and Ben and Jerry's has yet to come out with a cleverly named version of the minty frozen treat. But if you spend some time in Pennsylvania and make your way to a local ice cream parlor, you might just get the chance to try out this unique (and undeniably pretty) flavor for yourself.

There are few ice cream flavors in the country with as storied a history as butter pecan. During the times of slavery and Jim Crow in the South, Black people were often not allowed to eat vanilla ice cream in public spaces. Black cooks began experimenting with different additions to plain vanilla, including butter and pecans. The combination proved undeniably successful. Not only do you get more richness and depth of flavor from the inclusion of butter in the mix, but pecans add even more flavor intensity while staying true to — and melding well — with the vanilla base. The nuts also provide a pleasant, slightly crunchy texture to the ice cream, which helps to break up the otherwise plain creaminess of the dessert.

Butter pecan ice cream isn't just one of the most delicious flavors you'll find in the frozen section of the grocery store. It's also a symbol of resistance, resilience, and culinary creativity that lives on to this day.

You'll have to go to the Midwest if you want to get a taste of this brightly hued ice cream. The flavor is called blue moon, and if you're not sure what that's even supposed to taste like, you're not alone. There's actually not a lot of clarity around what flavors come together to create blue moon, although many agree that it has a citrusy note to it. Lemon, raspberry, almond, cotton candy, and fruity cereal are all recognized as common tasting notes. Regardless of what flavors you pick up on when you take a bite, though, there's no denying that this ice cream has become a cult favorite, even gaining national recognition.

But where exactly does this flavor come from in the Midwest? While its origins aren't completely clear, there are theories that Bill Sidon, the chief flavor chemist of Petran Products, a company that was then based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is responsible for creating the flavor, since it was first trademarked by the company. Whether blue moon does in fact call Milwaukee home or you want to broadly credit it to the region as a whole, it's a must-try flavor whenever you visit the Midwest.

Now, we're on to the Rocky Mountain region and specifically to Wyoming, which also just happens to be the most sparsely populated state in the entire country. While there may not be a ton of people in the state, there are a ton of huckleberries. These berries have a similar appearance and flavor to blueberries, and they can range from relatively sweet to tart, depending on how ripe they are. It only makes sense that huckleberries would end up in various desserts in the region, including in ice cream. And because it's a fruit that's most commonly found in this part of the country, eating a bowl of huckleberry ice cream could make you feel like you're indulging in a truly local treat.

In fact, some consider huckleberry ice cream to really capture the flavor of summer in the state. It makes sense that during the hottest months of the year, people would want to eat a dessert that tastes refreshing but still has that signature creamy texture they crave. However, it's not just the ice cream lovers in Wyoming who are eating huckleberry ice cream every summer. It's also a beloved treat in neighboring South Dakota, where huckleberries can also be found.

The Southwest is known for serving up a ton of delicious savory food, but with temps that get so high in the summertime, it's a region that really needs to know how to make a good frozen dessert as well. But when we went searching for ice cream flavors that were invented in the region, we found surprisingly few results. Texas sheet cake ice cream is one of the few exceptions, though. Technically, it's not clear where Texas sheet cake was invented, but it's a classic in the state, offering a chocolate-based, shareable treat that's perfect for bringing people together.

Cake and ice cream are delicious together, so we're grateful that there are people out there who have thought of combining them. Local ice cream shops in Texas have created Texas sheet cake flavors, and so has the popular Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. No matter where you are in the country, you can try to find this flavor of Jeni's ice cream at a grocery store near you. (But even if they don't have it, there are plenty of other Jeni's flavors to choose from.)

The Pacific Coastal region is huge, stretching down the length of the West Coast and including both Hawaii and Alaska. Naturally, there is a huge variation in cuisines in this region, but we think it's safe to say that Oregon has invented the best ice cream flavor in the region. Marionberries hail from Oregon — specifically from Oregon State University. Researchers crossed two different types of blackberries, and the marionberry was born. It's known for being an especially sweet berry, which is arguably what makes it such a tasty addition to ice cream.

Search for marionberry ice cream online, and you'll find plenty of recipes from people who live in the Pacific Northwest and have easy access to the berries. However, if you live outside of the region, it'll probably be hard to get your hands on some so you can make this ice cream for yourself. That being said, Tillamook ice cream now carries a marionberry pie ice cream, reflecting the company's Oregon roots.