Superman (ice cream flavor)

Superman
Superman ice cream in a paper dish
TypeIce cream
Region or stateMichigan

Superman ice cream is a three-flavor ice cream that usually appears in red, blue, and yellow. Although it originated in the Midwestern United States, particularly Michigan and Wisconsin, it can also be found in various ice cream parlors across the United States.

Although the flavor originated before the debut of Superman in 1938, the tricolor combination is often thought to be named after the superhero character whose costume is composed of those colors. As the character's name was never officially licensed, most producers sell the flavor under different brand names to avoid potential trademark or copyright issues.

The exact flavor mixture is not as well defined as the color scheme, and different brands often vary the flavor components used to make up the swirl.[1][2] Many of the traditional versions call for Blue Moon as the blue component of the swirl. Blue Moon has a hard-to-place flavor and, like the Superman flavor which often incorporates it, was created in the early 20th century. The Blue Moon flavor can also be found around the United States in ice cream parlors which serve Hershey's ice cream, as well as select grocery stores and gas stations.[2][3][4]

The combination is commonly believed to have originated in Detroit, Michigan, at Stroh's Ice Cream during the Prohibition Era, but this is unconfirmed.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b "Superman Ice Cream Is a Distinctly Midwestern Treat". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
  2. ^ a b c "The Truly Michigan Flavor Of Superman Ice Cream". Awesome Mitten. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  3. ^ "The Midwestern Mystery of Blue Moon Ice Cream". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  4. ^ Schoenberg, Nara (31 Aug 2007). "BLUE MOON". chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2021-05-30.