Favorite Ice Cream Flavors

Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry?  Ice cream flavors used to be so simple.

This week when I had to select ice cream for a birthday party, I could not believe the array of dazzling choices by the basic ice cream companies in the grocery store.  Breyers, for instance, boasted 28 flavors in the original (I'm like a kid in a candy store viewing them), PLUS the sugar-free, fat-free, no carb ice creams.

But surprise!  Breyers, like other ice cream companies, has added an upgraded, specialty line.  Theirs is called Breyers Blast, and my mouth dropped open when I saw the additional flavors available.  Drool probably pooled on the grocery floor.

We're not talking your usual upgrades like mint chocolate chip or cookies and cream.  No!!!  Flavors called Oreo Birthday Blast, S'mores, and Whoppers Malted Milk Balls flaunted their ice cream cartons at me, smiling in the freezer at my amazement, along with another 16 flavors.  I'm overwhelmed by the choices -- 47 in all from only one of the companies.

 Even excellent store brands, like Kroger's Private Selection brand, boast amazingly new and delectable flavors.  Right now, I'm a devoted fan to Moose Tracks and New England Blueberry Cheesecake.

When did ice cream expand to become such a big business?  How do marketing wizards choose such delicious names?

Even the high-priced, specialty ice cream companies, like Ben and Jerry's and Haagen-Daz, have unique offerings.  I love some of Ben and Jerry's names -- Chocolate Therapy, Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Everything But The..., Late Night Snack, Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz!, Phish Food, Lemonade Stand (a sorbet), and the newest ones, frozen yogurts, called "Greek."  Incredible!

There's ice cream for everyone.  How can anyone choose?  I'm so dazzled that I don't know where to begin. 

Any favorites?