New Trends in Ice Cream, Coffeehouses and Alcohol, from Mintel

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Just in time for summer, Mintel releases new findings about three of the hottest
food and drink markets: ice cream, coffeehouses and alcoholic beverages. For a
media copy of any of these just-published Mintel Oxygen reports, contact
press@mintel.com.

Flavor wars: Men and women want different things from (ice cream) relationship

It`s a battle of the sexes in the ice cream aisle as Mintel finds seven in 10
men prefer plain ice cream flavors, like chocolate or vanilla, while 74% of
women seek out those containing chocolate or candy bits. Still, each gender
seems to enjoy the other`s taste preferences: 66% of women say they also look
for plain ice cream, and 63% of men go for jazzed up flavors too.

Fruit flavors don`t bode well for either male or female ice cream-eaters. Less
than one in three respondents told Mintel they look for fruit-flavored ice
cream.

Coffee dilemma: Americans` torn between Starbucks and independents, plain and
fancy drinks

The 21st century question - Starbucks or independent? - remains unanswered.
Mintel`s latest survey shows people firmly split between the coffee conglomerate
and the shop next door. One in five respondents say Starbucks is their favorite,
but another one in five choose an independent.

America remains equally undecided on its preferred coffeehouse drink. Coffee
with milk or cream leads in popularity-30% of respondents say they drink it most
often-but black coffee, lattes, cappuccino and iced coffees all enjoy near
identical favor among respondents.

Toasting basics: Beer the favored alcoholic beverage at restaurants, bars, home

An ice-cold brew beats out swanky cocktails and sophisticated wine in all
domains, according to Mintel`s latest survey. More adults report drinking beer
at home (46%), in bars (26%) and even in restaurants (27%) than any other
alcoholic beverage. Wine is a close second at home and restaurants, while
cocktails are the second most common choice at bars.

Mintel found people are loyal to one or just a few different alcoholic beverage
brands, and 70% agreed, "when it comes to alcoholic beverages, I like to stick
with what I know."

About Mintel

Mintel is a leading global supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence.
For more than 35 years, Mintel has provided insight into key worldwide trends,
offering unique data that directly impacts client success. With offices in
Chicago, London, Belfast, Sydney, Shanghai and Tokyo, Mintel has forged a unique
reputation as a world-renowned business brand. For more information on Mintel,
please visit www.mintel.com.

Mintel International
Joanna Peot
312-628-7946
jpeot@mintel.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009