BEARS TAKES FIRST AND JOINT SECOND IN THE GUARDIAN'S SCOOP OF THE YEAR TASTE TEST
The Guardian has taste-tested 99 of Britain's most unusual ice creams for its 2026 Scoop of the Year feature, and Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium took first and joint second place.
Brown Butter Popcorn was ranked number one. Two more Bears flavours shared second place, while Blueberry & Lavender Jam, Meringue Swirl placed 18th. That means four Bears Ice Cream creations made the top 20, all produced in our Whitstable kitchen.
The number one scoop: Brown Butter Popcorn
Brown Butter Popcorn is built around balance. Brown butter brings deep, nutty richness, popcorn adds a toasted savoury flavour, and the sweetness and salt are carefully held in check.
The Guardian gave it 10/10 for taste and 9/10 for originality, describing it as a "perfect balance of savoury, sweet, rich and creamy".
Two Bears flavours share second place
Second place was shared by Miso, Banana & Butterscotch Pudding and Cinnamon Sponge, Bramley Apple Jazz & Cream Cheese Frosting.
The first uses miso to balance the natural sweetness of banana and butterscotch. The second brings Bramley apple together with cinnamon sponge and cream cheese frosting in a scoop inspired by a much-loved baked dessert.
The two flavours received 9/10 for taste and 9/10 for originality. The Guardian called them "fruity, creamy and delicious".
A fourth Bears flavour in the top 20
Blueberry & Lavender Jam, Meringue Swirl placed 18th and received 9/10 for originality. Blueberry jam, fragrant lavender and meringue create a flavour that is delicate but still distinctive.
Four different flavours, one approach
A popcorn ice cream, two dessert-led scoops and a blueberry-lavender combination may sound very different, but they all come from the same approach. Chef Philip Harrison starts with an idea, then works on the balance, texture and quality of every ingredient until each part has a reason to be there.
Creative ice cream is not about adding the most surprising ingredient. The final scoop still has to work, and it has to be one people want to finish.
Made in Whitstable
Bears moved its flagship store and production to Kent in 2023, developing its farm-to-tub approach and working closely with local producers. Every batch is chef-made in our Whitstable kitchen.
You can try Bears at the Ice Cream Imaginarium in Whitstable or Bears Ice Cream Scooptopia at Macknade Food Village in Faversham. Our menus change as new batches and seasonal flavours arrive, so check in store or follow us for current availability. Selected Bears tubs are also available through our stockists.