A traditional British clotted cream ice cream has been ranked the best frozen dessert globally, according to the international restaurant guide Taste Atlas. The ranking, which compiled users' 'top rated' dishes, placed the classic British treat above other popular frozen desserts, including Italian gelato.
Clotted cream ice cream, often associated with Cornwall and enjoyed during warmer months, is made with Cornish whole milk, eggs, and clotted cream, giving it a unique flavor and velvety texture. Taste Atlas described the winning dessert as 'decadent' and noted that it can be flavored with ingredients such as vanilla.
Italian gelato secured multiple positions within the top ten, with pistachio flavor ranking second and hazelnut coming in sixth. Gianduia gelato, a blend of milk and hazelnut, was eighth, followed by Tartufo di Pizzo, a chocolate-filled ice cream rolled in cocoa powder.
Other notable frozen desserts on the list included Dondurma, a chewy Turkish ice cream, which ranked third. American frozen custard, Peruvian Cremolada, and Indian Kulfi also featured prominently.
The top 50 list also included American brownie sundaes, South Korean Patbingsu (a shaved ice dessert), Puerto Rican 'Limber' (made with coconut milk and pineapple juice), and French parfait. Knickerbocker Glory represented another British entry, placed at 44th.
The ranking has generated discussion, with some social media users questioning the results. Comments on Taste Atlas's Instagram expressed surprise and disagreement, with some calling the victory 'bulls**t' and suggesting that Italian gelato or other desserts should have ranked higher.
In related consumer news, the recent heatwave in Britain saw a significant surge in ice cream sales. Aldi reported selling over 2.5 million units of ice cream in a single three-day period, a 144 percent increase week-on-week. The supermarket also noted increased sales of barbecue items and hot dogs during the same period.