Summer has arrived, and there's nothing better than diving into the world's most beloved ice creams, a perfect blend of the familiar and the exotic to cool you down!
Whether you're an adult or a child, a food enthusiast or not, resisting the temptation of a cold ice cream treat in the summer heat is tough. You've probably heard of Italy's famous gelato or Korea's bingsu, but did you know the world's ice cream varieties are even more diverse than you imagined?
Let's explore this list of incredibly popular ice creams and see how many you've had the pleasure of tasting!
Top 7 World-Famous Ice Creams
Dondurma: Turkey's Melt-Resistant Ice Cream

Originating in Turkey, Dondurma is known for its unique melt-resistant qualities.
Ice cream that doesn't melt? That's the wonder of Dondurma. Believed to come from Maraş, Turkey, its chewy and thick texture prevents it from melting quickly, making it the world's most unique ice cream to be enjoyed with a knife and fork.

This ice cream variety enjoys worldwide popularity on the streets across the globe.
Its unique texture is achieved by adding thickening agents to the basic milk and sugar mix: mastic gum and salep, a flour made from the tubers of orchids.
Sundae: A Global Ice Cream Delight from the USA
Sundae, often mistakenly thought to be from South Korea, actually originated in Illinois, USA, and stands as one of the world's most celebrated ice cream treats.

Sundaes feature soft serve ice cream generously topped with sauces or syrups.
Upon spotting a sundae on an ice cream shop's menu, envision soft serve lavished with sauces or syrups, especially in flavors like chocolate, caramel, strawberry, mango, or butterscotch. Optional toppings include nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry to make it even more irresistible.
Chocolate Gelato: Italy's Creamy Delight

Chocolate gelato is the globally adored Italian ice cream everyone loves.
World-renowned gelato, with Cioccolato leading the charge in Italy, crafts a decadent chocolate and cocoa powder blend into a velvety, dense structure, accented with cream, sugar, and milk, boasting a rich, dark brown allure.
Affogato (Italy)

Italy merges two of its culinary masterpieces into an irresistible ice cream dish.
Affogato, a global sensation, marries freshly brewed espresso with a scoop of vanilla or fior di latte gelato, drowning the ice cream in a coffee cascade, embodying its 'drowned' essence in a glass.

Affogato has evolved with numerous variations now available.
Such is Affogato's fame, it's inspired myriad versions, from wine substitutions to diverse gelato flavors, and even almond and biscotti toppings. In Italy, it's a cherished dessert finale, savored slowly with a petite spoon post-lavish meals.
Hazelnut Gelato (Italy)
Hazelnut stands as one of Italy's most beloved gelato flavors, a testament to the world's adored ice cream. The finest hazelnuts hail from Sicily's Bronte, though their premium cost prompts many Italian gelaterias to opt for similar yet more affordable ingredients.

Gelato blissfully meets hazelnuts.
Pistachio Gelato melds finely ground hazelnuts with milk, cream, eggs, and sugar, occasionally topped with crushed toasted hazelnuts to enhance flavor without compromising its signature dense and smooth texture.
Float Ice Cream (USA)

Float Ice Cream presents a novel fusion of soft ice cream plunged into bubbly soda.
Rooted in the 19th century Philadelphia, Ice Cream Floats were innovated by Robert Green, a small soda shop owner, leading to a spike in his sales. This delightful concoction combines ice cream with fizzy beverages.
Today's Ice Cream Floats come in numerous variations worldwide, including chocolate soda floats, cola floats, and even beer floats.
Kulfi (India)
Asia's beloved Kulfi, a traditional Indian ice cream, is crafted from slowly simmered whole milk, resulting in a rich caramelized flavor. Kulfi's unique cone shape is a nod to traditional molds, sealed tight for that distinct form.

India's traditional Kulfi ice cream enjoys global acclaim.
Kulfi's flavors are deeply rooted in Indian tradition, featuring pistachios, rose water, and saffron, occasionally infused with berries. It's believed to have been conceived by ancient Himalayan inhabitants during the Mughal Empire era.
Famous Ice Cream and Pastry Pairings
Beyond the world's most famous ice creams, one must indulge in unique desserts combining ice cream with pastries, like ice cream sandwiches or chilly cream-filled sponge cakes.

The unique culinary delight of ice cream sandwiches.
Ice cream sandwiches, a dessert staple in America, trace their roots back to New York City in 1899. Initially a simple concoction of vanilla ice cream clamped between two thin cake layers, it became a local favorite. Today's variations include brioche, waffles, croissants, and even churros alongside the traditional sponge and cookie options.

Fresh ice cream is chosen over whipped cream for a cooler sensation.
Meanwhile, the ice cream cake, a beloved dessert, opts for layers of fresh ice cream between soft sponge cake instead of whipped cream. Especially popular for birthdays and celebrations in North America, it's believed by some to have originated in England. Its luxury status emerged in the 19th century, once exclusive to the affluent and the upper class.

Ice cream boats are a hit in the US.
What about blending ice cream with bananas? The banana split, a classic dessert also known as the 'ice cream boat,' features a banana sliced lengthwise topped with scoops of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate ice cream, garnished with nuts, fruits, whipped cream, and a cherry. This globally renowned treat was created in 1904 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, USA.
Image Source: Taste Atlas
Authored by Moc Nhien
According to Vietnam Sports Newspaper
Authored by: Diep Tan Loc
Keyword: Can you name all 10 of the world's most famous ice cream flavors?