Endangered Ice Cream And Vanishing Sriracha: The Week In Grocery News

The grocery aisles are always evolving as consumers' palates change—and in 2024, our tastes appear to be shifting away from some longtime favorites. Chocolate chip ice cream is in steep decline, and many granola makers are luring customers with savory products rather than sweet ones. Meanwhile, the Huy Fong sriracha brand, once the only game in town, has become less of an industry leader as its many tribulations have caused customers to pick up different bottles of hot sauce. Read on for the week's top grocery coverage, and learn more about what's changing (and what remains stubbornly the same) at the supermarket.

If pressed, could you name the top-selling ice cream flavors in the United States? According to the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the most popular ice cream flavors include chocolate, vanilla, and cookies 'n cream. The New York Times reports that one classic American flavor has been falling out of favor for years, and now sits outside the top 10 entirely. What's happening to vanilla chocolate chip? - Marnie Shure Read More

Huy Fong sriracha has finally made its triumphant comeback after years of shortages and scarcity, but not everyone is happy. As I noted in my own taste test of the new batch, it tastes a little different now than it did before it disappeared. Namely, it's a bit lacking in the heat department, much to the chagrin of those who crave the intensity of the original. For some former rooster sauce loyalists, the return is simply too little, too late—Huy Fong left them at the altar, and they've since moved on. Now, they're in happily committed relationships with other, hotter sriracha brands. - Luke Gralia Read More

Tate's Bake Shop cookies are preferred among shoppers. They consistently earn top marks in chocolate chip cookie rankings online, and the iconic green packaging is a mainstay in households across the country. But why are they so beloved? What makes these cookies so good? - Danny Palumbo Read More

For many of us, honeyed granola is an ideal breakfast or lightly sweet snack. In recent months, however, a number of savory granola options have made their way to the market, challenging the conventional notion of where nuts, grains, and seeds can sit in our daily diet. - Lauren Harkawik Read More

This week, Beyond Meat announced "the fourth generation of its core beef platform, Beyond IV," made with avocado oil, fewer total ingredients, and a greater focus on vegetable content. The brand notes this is an "extensive renovation" of its prior burger; it will roll out to retailers nationwide this spring. Media outlets, however, are reporting on the story behind that story: Beyond's overall struggles in the marketplace. - Marnie Shure Read More