Lick or spoon? Ice cream controversy solved

A real handful: Darshan Jogia, 11, of Auckland, holding an eight-scoop icecream, gets in training for Tip Top's $1-a-scoop day on Monday.

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It is the question on some people's lips - does ice cream taste better licked or eaten with a spoon?

You do not need to be a sensory scientist to have an opinion, but one who is, Massey University's Kay McMath, has put her scientific weight on the side of the lickers.

McMath, who is also chief judge for the New Zealand Icecream Awards, said the flavour in food was released when warmed inside the mouth.

Licking an ice cream meant the tongue was coated with a thin layer so it was more quickly warmed and the flavour detected by the tastebuds.

Eating icecream with a spoon tended to keep the ice cream colder for longer and delivered the sweet blob to the roof of the mouth before swallowing. A smaller surface area was therefore involved in warming the ice cream to release the flavours, she said.

McMath said that because ice cream was eaten in smaller amounts when licked, the full melt and flavour was released with every lick.

The theory has surfaced as Tip Top prepares to launch its $1 Scoop Day on Monday, when 600 dairies across the country will offer cone ice creams at $1 per scoop.

- © Fairfax NZ News