The 8 ice-cream trends for 2025
The new year traditionally kicks off with the world’s largest ice cream trade fair, the Sigep in Rimini in Italy. A team of seven ice cream producers from De Jong’s IJs attended the fair in search of the latest trends and innovations. We’ve compiled them for you!
1. Pistachio
This distinctive nut is set to be a staple in every ice cream display this year, appearing in numerous variations. Whether it’s different ice creams featuring various pistachio roasts, pistachio ice cream with kataifi (known as Dubai ice cream), or versions with pieces of fruit or chocolate, the diversity is immense. We’ve never seen so many variations, and it’s clear that this flavor will be ubiquitous. Our ice cream makers are brimming with inspiration.
2. Ice Cream Sandwiches
Last year, we noticed them emerging, but this season they’re everywhere: ice cream sandwiches in the most delightful forms. From colored chocolate coatings to additions like nuts and chocolate chunks, each variant is more appealing than the last. We’re also observing a growing presence of these tasty ice cream bites in retail, influenced by trends from the U.S. The ice cream snacking category is on the rise.
3. Vegan: Stable but Not Growing
Almost all flavor paste producers offer plant-based alternatives, though with less emphasis than in previous years. The range isn’t expanding, but vegan options have secured a permanent spot in nearly every supplier’s lineup. Our ice cream makers also note an increasing allocation of space for plant-based alternatives, which are now nearly indistinguishable from traditional dairy ice cream. Hybrid forms, combining reduced dairy fat with plant-based fats, are also becoming more common.
4. No Added Sugars
The health trend is evident at Sigep, with many stands showcasing products labeled “no added sugar,” reducing sugar content by 30-40%. Additionally, there are variants with no sugar or reduced fat and sugar. The industry is collectively striving to make ice cream ‘healthier’ or at least provide genuinely tasty alternatives.
5. Flat Bins
Many trends cater primarily to the artisanal sector, particularly ice cream parlors, which traditionally lead in innovation. Years ago, we saw the introduction of wide bins with towering ice cream presentations. Now, the most beautiful creations feature flat, neatly arranged tubs of bins. The images speak for themselves—it’s almost a shame to scoop them.
6. Layered Ice Cream
Last year, we observed this trend migrating from the U.S., and it’s now prevalent in Italy: ice cream presented in transparent pots with layers. These feature delightful combinations of sauces, crumbles, cookies, and ice cream. They look stunning in supermarket freezers, and the flavor combinations are endless.
7. Cookies Ice-cream
Since Ben & Jerry’s introduced cookie dough ice cream long, long ago, it has become an essential part of ice cream. But even we were impressed by the sheer number of flavor variations available today. Cookies in every form—featuring 10 types of local cookies, cookie ice cream with herbs and spices, and cookie ice cream with chunks of dough and pieces of cookie. Whatever you can imagine, cookies make for delicious ice cream. And if you can dream it, we can make it for you!
8. Perfume for ice-cream
This was perhaps the most bizarre thing we saw at the fair, and while it may not exactly fit under ‘trends,’ it’s definitely worth mentioning. At the Leagel stand, we came across “perfumes for gelato.” At low temperatures, such as those of ice cream, aromatic molecules freeze, making it harder to detect scents. These perfumes change that, allowing you to experience scents you wouldn’t normally notice. The result? Some truly strange combinations that can be quite a challenge for your brain to process. Whether this will become a lasting trend remains to be seen, but it’s definitely fun to try!
Desire to innovate
On behalf of the entire team at De Jong’s IJs, it was once again a pleasure to explore the latest trends, taste a variety of flavors, and get inspired for a new ice cream season! We are excited to translate these trends into delicious ice creams.
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Want to know more about what our ice cream factory can do for you? Feel free to contact us!
