America Votes: Favorite Flavor is Chocolate

When it comes to desserts and sweet snacks, nothing appears to satisfy Americans' taste buds like chocolate. In a recent poll, 52 percent of American men and woman voted for chocolate as their favorite flavor desserts and sweet snacks. There was a tie for second place, with both strawberry/other berry flavors and vanilla both selected by 12 percent of consumers. Cherry came in third, with 3 percent of respondents saying it was their favorite.

"Americans' preference for chocolate appears to be strong and consistent," notes Larry Graham, president of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association. "When we conducted this survey 10 years ago, the results were very similar."

The poll, sponsored by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association, also showed that women preferred chocolate more than men did. A total of 57 percent of women said chocolate is their favorite flavor compared to 46 percent of men.

Both men and women also said they preferred milk chocolate over dark chocolate by more than a two-to-one margin, with 65 percent choosing milk chocolate and 27 percent voting for dark chocolate (the remaining 8 percent didn't have a favorite or didn't know). Consumer preference for dark chocolate climbs as we get older. Only 11 percent of consumers ages 18-24 years said they would choose dark over milk chocolate while 37 percent of consumers ages 45-54 years say they prefer dark chocolate.

Chocolate sales have been climbing in the past six months, according to Graham. In addition to chocolate's delicious flavor, positive news about the high antioxidant content of cocoa and chocolate may be giving chocolate lovers yet another reason to enjoy their favorite food. Recent studies at Pennsylvania State University and University of California-Davis and other institutions show that cocoa and chocolate are packed with potentially beneficial antioxidants similar to those found in red wine and many fruits and vegetables. In fact, chocolate is at the top of the list when its antioxidant activity is compared to fruits and vegetables.

"In this election year, we are pleased that Americans have voted chocolate as their favorite flavor," Graham says. "Whether you enjoy chocolate bars, boxed chocolates, chocolate cake or any of the many other chocolate options, chocolate fits any healthy lifestyle."