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Hidden Personality Traits Revealed Through Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor

If you think ordering vanilla means you're boring, see how personality traits are linked to your favorite ice cream flavor.

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istock/Emilie Duchesne

Vanilla lovers are impulsive.

Vanilla is one of the simplest of ice cream flavors, but its fans are actually likely to be colorful, impulsive, idealistic risk-takers who “rely more on intuition than logic,” according to studies conducted by neurologist Dr. Alan Hirsch, founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation. Vanilla lovers were also emotionally expressive and successful in close relationships. As for the research: Hirsch uses various standardized psychiatric test results to make statistical correlations, explaining that the same part of the brain (the limbic lobe) is responsible for both personality traits and food preference. Interestingly, Hirsch says the taste for your favorite ice cream is set during childhood and tends to remain consistent throughout your life.

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istock/Anna Pustynnikova

Strawberry lovers are introverts.

In a study by Hirsch for Baskin Robbins, strawberry lovers were often tolerant, devoted, and introverted; in research conducted for Dreyer’s/Edy’s, he found fans of the berry flavor were also logical and thoughtful. (By the way, here’s what your handwriting says about you.)

Infographic of various ice cream flavors with a corresponding personality trait
RD.com, Getty ImagesRD.com, Getty Images

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Chocolate lovers are flirtatious.

If you prefer a chocolate scoop, Hirsch determined you are likely to be flirtatious and seductive, and also lively, charming, dramatic, and gullible.

Infographic of various ice cream flavors with a corresponding personality trait
RD.com, Getty ImagesRD.com, Getty Images

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istock/bhofack2

Mint chocolate chip lovers are argumentative.

Always mixing it up? There’s a good chance mint chocolate chip is your favorite flavor, according to Hirsch’s study for Dreyer’s/Edy’s, which found this ice cream signified ambition, confidence, frugalness, and argumentativeness. “[They] aren’t fully satisfied until they find the tarnish on the silver lining,” said Hirsch about its fans. However, Hirsch predicts that mint chocolate chip lovers are compatible with one another.

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istock/Millenniumist

Rainbow sherbet lovers are pessimistic.

This flavor’s bright colors and fruity taste is no match for the downbeat attitude of those who choose it as their favorite. “We found that people who prefer rainbow sherbet are more pessimistic than you would think,” says Hirsch, who also found they’re analytic and decisive.

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istock/Robert Ingelhart

Rocky Road lovers are aggressive.

If this flavor-packed cone is your favorite, you’re most likely aggressive and engaging, but a good listener, according to Hirsch’s Baskin Robbins study. The Dreyer’s/Edy’s panel also determined that the goal-oriented Rocky Road lover is often successful, but sometimes aggressive behavior can “inadvertently hurt the feelings of those that surround him.”

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Coffee lovers are dramatic.

If you’re lively, dramatic, and approach life with “gusto,” you’re probably a fan of coffee ice cream. Hirsch’s study for Dreyer’s/Edy’s says coffee ice cream fans are not concerned about the future and thrive on the “passion of the moment,” needing constant stimulation in a romantic relationship.

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istock/StephanieFrey

Chocolate chip lovers are generous.

If you choose classic chocolate chip, you’re generous, competent, and a go-getter, according to Hirsch’s survey for Baskin Robbins.

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istock/HHLtDave5

Butter pecan lovers are conscientious

Fans of this nutty flavor are devoted, conscientious, and respectful, according to Hirsch’s study for Dreyer’s/Edy’s. They hold high standards for right and wrong and are afraid of hurting people’s feelings.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest