Pints of Stewart's ice cream on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at the Stewart's Shops convenience store on Columbia Turnpike in Schodack, N.Y.

Ice cream lovers are among the most loyal of fanbases. They line up even in the cold to get their hands on the frozen treat. They pledge themselves to one flavor until the end of time (vanilla fans, I’m talking to you) – or they place an order that sounds too strange to be real (see: pickle soft serve).

And while some are even known to travel far and wide to satisfy their cravings, Capital Region ice cream enthusiasts can find some of the best the dessert has to offer closer to home. 

Stewart’s Shops had a total of four ice cream winners at the 55th annual World Dairy Expo, which is judged based on flavor, body and texture, melting quality, appearance and color.

Stewart’s top-selling flavor, Peanut Butter Pandemonium, was declared the best peanut butter ice cream in North America, according to the competition’s results.

Mint Cookie Crumble took second place in the mint category, winning judges over with its wave of chocolate cookie fudge that balances out the mint’s flavor.

Mango Dragon Fruit won third place in the sherbet category, as well as Salty Caramel in the gelato class.

Philly Vanilla, Chocolate, French Vanilla, Milk Chocolate Gelato and Crumbs Along the Mohawk have been recognized at the expo in previous years but failed to make this year’s cut.

As well as the company's other dairy products, Stewart’s Shops ice cream is made fresh at their plant in Greenfield using milk from 20 local family dairy farms. Earlier this month, Stewart’s Shops was recognized by the Cornell Department of Food Science for having the best milk in New York 

“Coming off the heels of winning Best Milk in New York State, we are so proud that our ice cream has been recognized at the World Dairy Expo!” Stewart’s Shops president Gary Dake said in a statement.

Melissa Manno is a Hearst Fellow covering business, with a focus on commercial real estate development and retail. She also covers breaking news. Melissa graduated from Penn State University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in geography and digital media trends and analytics. She covered identity and culture for The Daily Collegian and has previously interned for the Centre Daily Times, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Smeal College of Business and the Organization for Aid to Refugees in the Czech Republic. She is also the 2021 Hearst National Journalism Writing Champion. You can reach her at melissa.manno@timesunion.com.