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Sherbert or Sherbet? It Turns Out, America Is Divided
Food & Wine ^ | July 17, 2025 | Stacey Leasca

Posted on 07/17/2025 1:49:57 PM PDT by nickcarraway

According to a new Instacart report, 63% of shoppers spell it “sherbet,” while 37% prefer “sherbert.” But which one is correct?

-Instacart data shows that 63% of users searched for “sherbet” while 37% used the alternate spelling “sherbert.”

-The spelling “sherbert” isn’t technically wrong — both forms have historical roots dating back to Arabic, Turkish, and Persian.

-English speakers have long used both versions, with “sherbert” sticking around due to its phonetic appeal and cultural persistence.

The sweltering, sweaty dog days of summer are here, which means there's only one thing to do: Eat as many cold treats as possible, including plenty of sherbert. Or is it sherbet?

In honor of National Ice Cream Day on July 20, Instacart released its Ice Cream Data Report, filled with details about America's favorite scoops. And we will get to that in a minute. But what first caught our attention was a lively debate: How we collectively pronounce “sherbet.”

"When it comes to this fruity treat, Americans are split on pronunciation and spelling," the report revealed. It found that during the 2024 summer season, 63% of Instacart searches spelled it “sherbet,” while 37% went with “sherbert," adding a second "r" to the word. But is it wrong?

Well, technically, no.

According to Merriam-Webster, the word traces back to the Arabic term sharba, which translates to "drink." It then entered both Turkish and Persian as şerbet and sharbat, respectively. The dictionary notes that both of these words "lack an 'r in the second syllable." However, it adds that "when the word was imported into English in the early 17th century, it was coming from languages many English speakers considered exotic, and spelling was all over the place. Among the many variations that existed in the early years, two that appeared then are still in use today: sherbet and sherbert."

Sorbet vs. Sherbet: What's the Difference?

So while “sherbet” is the more common spelling, neither choice is inherently wrong. “To be honest, I pronounced it ‘sherbert’ since I was a kid, and it wasn’t until I did this analysis that I learned I had it wrong the whole time," Alex Orellana, Instacart's trends analyst, shared with Food & Wine. "After digging into the data, it’s clear that this is a spelling quirk that sticks, even if it’s technically off."

Instacart’s Ice Cream Report exposed one juicy scoop: nearly 40% of Americans spell “sherbet” with an extra “r.” Turns out, “sherbert” isn’t technically wrong—it’s a quirky remnant from 17th-century English.

Instacart also analyzed the data to see what kinds of sherbet people are ordering, with Orellana revealing that rainbow sherbet made up 62% of sherbet orders in 2024. It's followed by orange, raspberry, pineapple, and lime.

Again, this report goes much further than our favorite fruity desserts, highlighting our love for rich ice cream scoops as well. And while people are all about the classics, with vanilla being the most ordered flavor of 2024, followed by chocolate, cookies and cream, strawberry, and mint chip, which round out the top five, some inventive flavors are starting to bubble to the top.

“The biggest surprise wasn’t a specific flavor, but rather the national trends we’re seeing emerge, often influenced by what’s popular on social media," Orellana said. "The rise of carts with pistachio and chocolate ice cream mirrors the viral Dubai chocolate trend, while the growth of green tea ice cream shows a growing interest in tea-based treats, likely driven by matcha’s enduring appeal. The data shows that ice cream is personal, timely, and increasingly shaped by evolving culture.”

As for this year, Orellana said Instacart is seeing growing interest in premium, sustainably produced ice cream. "Brands like Alec’s Ice Cream and Ice Cream For Bears are gaining momentum as people seek out craft-made treats with simpler ingredients and standout flavors," Orellana said. "It shows that while classic scoops still deeply resonate, today’s consumers are also craving options that feel more elevated and intentional.”


TOPICS: Food
KEYWORDS: icecream; sherbert; sherbet
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To: nickcarraway

Sorbet.

Duh.


21 posted on 07/17/2025 2:15:26 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Angelino97’s 100% anti-Semitic lie: “Settlers tend to be ultra-Orthodox Jews, armed with Uzis.”)
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To: nickcarraway; FamiliarFace
I know we're supposed to be hating on, 'All Things PBS' these days, but you will NEVER make me stop loving Ernie...even if Bert creeps me out.

Food & Wine? Your argument is invalid!

22 posted on 07/17/2025 2:16:16 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: sonova

Bi - sickle
Motor - cycle
????


23 posted on 07/17/2025 2:16:21 PM PDT by sjmjax
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To: joshua c

My Mom lived in her adopted home state of Warshington for over 60 years…


24 posted on 07/17/2025 2:17:22 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Angelino97’s 100% anti-Semitic lie: “Settlers tend to be ultra-Orthodox Jews, armed with Uzis.”)
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To: nickcarraway

-Instacart data shows that 63% of users searched for “sherbet” while 37% used the alternate spelling “sherbert.”

Just to cause trouble, I pronounce it “sherbert”, but spell it “sherbet”.


25 posted on 07/17/2025 2:17:43 PM PDT by rightwingcrazy (;-,)
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To: nickcarraway

Public education victims can’t tell the difference between Carmel and carAmel either.


26 posted on 07/17/2025 2:17:54 PM PDT by normbal (normbal. Non-native Tennessean.)
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To: nickcarraway

My whole pronunciation world has been collapsing for years now. I find that the way I had always pronounced things has a different side.

I always pronounced it ‘sherbert’. During the reading of this thread I went and found some old containers I keep on hand, and My Goodness! It says ‘sherbet’! I am shocked.

Reminds me of recently discovering that pimento cheese, is actually ‘pimiento cheese’. I am shattered! lol


27 posted on 07/17/2025 2:19:37 PM PDT by Chani (Drive By poster)
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To: nickcarraway
I've always known it as "sherbert".

This "sherbet" thing is just another commie day-zero construct to rewrite history.

This is where it starts. Next, they'll be subtly changing phrases in the Constitution.


28 posted on 07/17/2025 2:24:19 PM PDT by fruser1
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To: nickcarraway

“Sherbert or Sherbet? It Turns Out, America Is Divided”

It’s a gay drink either way.


29 posted on 07/17/2025 2:29:47 PM PDT by BobL
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To: ConservativeMind

“”””I also didn’t understand why my mom said “warsh” for “wash,”””””

Warsh is common as is “ongions” for onions


30 posted on 07/17/2025 2:30:05 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: nickcarraway

Where the hell is the R in Colonel?


31 posted on 07/17/2025 2:30:55 PM PDT by Hyman Roth
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To: nickcarraway

Slow day Nick?


32 posted on 07/17/2025 2:33:24 PM PDT by sasquatch (Do NOT forget Ashli Babbit! c/o piytar)
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To: Hyman Roth

And why does the abbreviation for the word “missus” have the letter “r” in it?


33 posted on 07/17/2025 2:37:03 PM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: Hyman Roth

I detect a kernel of truth in what you're saying.

34 posted on 07/17/2025 2:37:06 PM PDT by Songcraft
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To: Jamestown1630

Sorbet, which I prefer, is mad with NO dairy products; sherbert is made with cream or milk.


35 posted on 07/17/2025 2:38:34 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: Dr. Sivana

LOL...I guess that I’m not “normal”, according to you! ;^)


36 posted on 07/17/2025 2:39:55 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: sonova

And what makes ketchup fancy?


37 posted on 07/17/2025 2:41:13 PM PDT by Hyman Roth
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To: ConservativeMind

Or “arl” for “oil.”


38 posted on 07/17/2025 2:43:41 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democrats are the Party of racism, anger, hate and violence.)
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To: nopardons

I’m partial to raspberry sherbet, but it seems hard to find these days.


39 posted on 07/17/2025 2:44:30 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: Jamestown1630
Hagen Dazs has new SUMMER special SORBET that are out of this world: mango, blueberries & lemon, Coconut & lemon, and my fav. Passion Fruit and Sweet Pear. They are creamyish.

Yes, Raspberry sherbert or sorbet are IMPOSSIBLE to find this year, by ANY maker. :-( And I like that too.

40 posted on 07/17/2025 2:48:34 PM PDT by nopardons
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