Americans Prefer Their Ice Cream Sundaes With This Fruit

Jul 16, 2026 | 0 comments

 

As temperatures across the U.S. have soared this summer, nothing is quite as satisfying as an ice cream sundae. And the beauty of a sundae is how each one can be so carefully customized to your specific preferences. The fruit you choose, for example, can completely change the composition of the dish. And as CivicScience data show, Americans have strong feelings about which fruit is best.
Currently, 36% of Americans prefer strawberries on their sundaes, followed by 21% who opt for bananas and 20% who go for a classic maraschino cherry. Although men and women express equal appreciation for strawberries and bananas, women are four percentage points more likely to enjoy a maraschino cherry atop their ice cream sundaes than men. Along income lines, those who make $50K-$100K annually lead all others in their appreciation of strawberries. Age also plays a role, as Gen Z and Baby Boomers have a slim lead in their love of strawberry-topped sundaes, outpacing 30-64-year-olds by at least three percentage points.

However, the fruit you choose to put atop your sundae has an impact beyond demographic data alone. Here’s what makes those who love strawberries on their sundaes stand out from the rest: 

Snack Plate Structure: While 17% of those who like strawberries on their ice cream sundaes say that their snack plates are ‘very sweet,’ just 10% of those who prefer maraschino cherries say the same. 

Fashion Followers: More than one in three (36%) of those who prefer strawberries on their sundaes say they follow fashion trends, while just 29% of those who prefer bananas say the same. 

The Impact of Good Looks: Those who prefer strawberries on their ice cream sundaes are eight percentage points more likely than those who prefer maraschino cherries to say that looks do not affect their trust in people (21% vs 13%). 

Stress Levels: While 26% of maraschino cherry fans say they are ‘very’ stressed, just 17% of strawberry fans say the same. 

Flat Tires: Those who prefer bananas on their sundaes are five percentage points more likely to know how to change a flat tire than their strawberry-loving counterparts (62% vs 57%). 

 

Where do you stand? Take this poll now and see how your preference compares with other Americans:

 

Clearly, the fruit you prefer on your sundae impacts more than just dessert time. It’s a choice that can be linked to a variety of other consumer interests far beyond the ice cream bowl.

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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.



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