the buzz log

Rising dairy prices, disappearing honey bees, and ice cream truck gas prices. These threats to America's favorite frozen dessert are enough to make you scream.

Grim news greets National Ice Cream Month. Most notable is the apiarian connection: The loss of bee hives means less workers to aid crops (and flavors) like almonds, cherries and strawberries. Haagen Dazs is raising research funds from proceeds of its honey vanilla edition, making ice cream consumption an environmental act.

And look on the bright side—all these obstacles simply means appreciating the dairy confection all the more. Save the honeybees, and enjoy this Buzz sampler of ice cream goodness.

Ice Cream Buzz
People get a cold chill searching on their adored ice cream brands. Cold Stone Creamery holds a solid lead over runner-ups Ben & Jerry's, Blue Bell, Dairy Queen and Bruster. Of course, nothing beats the neighborhood scoop.
• Step into America's best parlors... and feel free to add to the itinerary.
• Don't fret if your favorite flavor is among the six most fattening; lower-fat alternatives exists. (Find out your recommended fat intake here.)
• If you've longed for a precise scoop, consider the efficiency of the Cuisipro Ice Cream Scoop and Stack.

Churn It Up
Making your own batch is becoming more popular: Homemade ice cream searches are a third higher than last year. Among the Buzz recipe tips:
• A good pan, a nice scald, and an ice bath are among the musts in stirring up fresh ice cream.
• Tart up ice cream to keep down the fat, in this pastry recipe.

Luscious Trivia
• Exposed! The confection is really a foam. Find out what else lies within delicacy's inner workings.
• Ice cream may have come west via Marco Polo from China. Now the frozen dairy may be one of the few U.S. investments that China can make without stirring up national security protests.
• Ben & Jerry turned 30 on May 5, the same day that Baskin-Robbins co-founder Irv Robbins died.

Flavor Fever
Peach has dropped out of the top 5, making room for banana and green tea. Other trends since we last skimmed searches in 2007:
In: Oreo. Out: Ginger.
In: Cherry. Out: Pineapple.
In: Blackberry. Out: Mint.
Always in: Peanut Butter.

Top Ice Cream Flavors, Past 30 Days