NZ Ice Cream Brands

Kiwis top of the world when it comes to ice cream

Ice cream. It’s been around for thousands of years and we still love it.

Obviously, it’s evolved quite a bit since the early days and even though it didn’t hit New Zealand shores until sometime after 1800, we’ve become a nation of ice cream connoisseurs. In fact, according to the New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturing Association, New Zealanders have been ranked as the biggest ice cream lovers in the world, annually consuming an average of 23 litres per capita!

For most of us, the Kiwi institution that is Hokey Pokey is still king, although this year it shared the title of favourite flavour with chocolate.  The surge shown by Cookies and Cream in 2016 slowed a little and it only managing bronze position on the podium this year.  That said, it still remains very popular amongst GenYers.

Ice cream satisfaction

For one in three of us (33%), ice cream is our ‘go to’ comfort food but we are getting a little more health conscious with 11% of us preferring to take the slightly healthier route of sorbet or frozen yogurt and 7% buy low-fat ice-cream.  But as we peruse the chiller isle in our local dairy or supermarket, what exactly are we looking for in our favourite frozen treat? According to our research, the key drivers of customer satisfaction are:

• Taste 31%
• Variety/range 24%
• Packaging appeal 23%
• Value for money 22%

How is ice cream made?

Generally speaking, ice cream is a combination of milk, sweeteners, plant-based stablisers (usually corn syrup) and sometimes egg.

These key ingredients are whipped together in a mixing tank where the products are heated and pasteurised to kill off any germs. The mix then passes through a homogeniser to break down the fats to give ice cream a smooth texture.

The mixture is then cooled to around 2 degrees and is left to partially thicken into a paste. Once the ice cream has thickened, any flavours and sweeteners are added. The final product is then poured into tubs and stored in a freezer to harden before being shipped off to your local supermarket. Of course, this is a very general explanation and each company will have its own unique methods.

The brands we rated

Mövenpick

The 2017 winner of Five Stars for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction, Mövenpick produces a premium range of Swiss ice creams and claims to use only the finest ingredients with no artificial colours of flavours.

Cadbury

Cadbury produce a huge range of sweet treats, including a range of rich ice cream tubs, bars, cakes and sundaes.

Countdown Select

Select ice cream is a Countdown brand offering a wide range of flavours.

Deep South

Deep South is a New Zealand owned and operated premium ice cream producer that operates from the foothills of the Southern Alps. It produces over 40 flavours of ice cream.

Kapiti

Kapiti offers a wide range of ice creams and sorbets. It promises rich textures, unique flavours and a perfect indulgence.

Killinchy Gold

Killinchy Gold is a premium ice cream company. It offers 17 unique flavours of ice cream and sorbets.

Lewis Road Creamery

New Zealand brand Lewis Road boast peanut butter flavour amongst their premium range and rose flavour in their artisan range.

Much Moore

Much Moore is a family owned New Zealand ice cream company which produces a broad range of ice creams and ice blocks.

Pams

Pams is a New Zealand based producer of a wide range of food products, including a modest range of ice cream.

Signature Range

Signature Range ice cream is the premium brand from supermarket Countdown. This range includes a number of traditional and fruity ice creams.

Tip Top

Tip Top is an iconic New Zealand ice cream manufacturer that produces many Kiwi favourites, including Trumpet, Jelly Tip, Choc Bar and, of course, Hokey Pokey.