Is this really Oregon’s favorite ice cream flavor?

Are Oregonians really this … lame?

According to data from Instacart, the most “uniquiely popular” flavor of ice cream in the state of Oregon is … vanilla.

Vanilla is apparently the most purchased flavor of ice cream via Instacart across the country, and, Instacart said, it “accounted for 27% of all ice cream sold last summer.”

Instacart’s favorite ice cream in every state.Instacart

Some states, though, get a little more creative. Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio all got Moose Tracks as their top flavor and Rocky Road came out as No. 1 in California and Nevada.

To figure out which flavor was uniquely popular in each state, Instacart “looked at which flavor was purchased most often in each state compared to the national average.”

Here is where Oregon came up with … vanilla. Which honestly doesn’t sound unique or popular.

Only one hypothesis makes sense here. Did Oregon end up with vanilla because we have such a vast array of popular flavors that they don’t line up with Instacart’s narrow view of ice cream?

In Portland alone, the top ice cream places are constantly changing their flavors. Here we don’t order a pint of vanilla or chocolate, we order Gooey Fudge Brownie or Salted Caramel or Matcha Mochi.

If anything, it must be our creativity that is driving this ludicrous result. That can be the only explanation.

On the other hand, this data could serve as a call to action for Oregon’s ice cream makers: We need a regional flavor.

The Midwest has Moose Tracks. What do we have? And don’t tell me we have Sasquatch Tracks. We do, but we need something new and original that can be replicated at ice cream shops around the state.

Here’s a nomination: Foresta, the Pinolo Gelato flavor that tastes just like stepping into a forest, could be our state’s signature flavor.

Sure, the process to make it involves foraging for new growth fir tips and then steeping them with the juniper berries, but just imagine the satisfaction we would all feel to no longer be considered a state that loves vanilla.

– Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com.

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