I can't imagine a more boring choice as America's favorite ice cream flavor.

Oh, not that there's anything wrong with vanilla. It's great, especially when smothered in hot fudge and whipped cream with nuts and a cherry on top. But given the other 30 choices Baskin-Robbins presents customers in every visit to their ice cream emporiums, it just seems to me that patrons must be making other selections.

Like Gold Medal Ribbon or Peanut Butter 'N Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip or Pralines 'N Cream, Fudge Brownie or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ... the list seems almost endless.

Still, I'm a professional journalist. And rather than sit back and speculate as to the interests of ice cream eaters, I felt it was my duty to the readership to do a little investigative reporting. So on Monday night, my wife and I hopped into the car to head down to the local Baskin-Robbins ... uh, just to do some field research, mind you.

"You're going to do some investigative reporting? At Baskin-Robbins?" asked my wife.

"That's right," I answered. "And if I have to, I'll taste every flavor they have to get to the truth!"

"Oh, you're such a pro," she scoffed. "Woodward and Bernstein should have had your dedication."

"But then," she added, "when it comes to ice cream, you are something of a deep throat."

Nothing she could say, though, would deter me from my mission. I was inspired by an old press release I discovered recently while digging deep into one of my desk drawers for a pack of bubble gum. And there it was--almost as yellow as the vanilla it was heralding--a press release from July of 2001 with the headline emblazoned across the top that told the story: "Vanilla Tops the List of America's Favorite Ice Cream Flavors."

The release went on to report, "To kick off National Ice Cream month ... "

July is National Ice Cream month?

"Baskin-Robbins commissioned a national survey to get the scoop on America's favorite ice cream flavors."

The scoop? Oh, please!

"The survey results revealed five sweet 'favorites,' indicating that Americans generally opt for dishing up traditional flavors."

Yeah, well you can dish up a little Gold Medal Ribbon for me, thank you.

"According to Baskin-Robbins' national survey, the top five flavor choices are as follows: 1) Vanilla, 2) Chocolate, 3) Strawberry, 4) Butter Pecan, 5) Rocky Road."

There was vanilla, right at the top of the list. So with my wife at my side, I went to work on my own survey in the local Baskin-Robbins. I watched, I tasted, I listened, I tasted some more ... and I didn't quit until I had all the facts.

"I didn't see one person order vanilla ice cream," I told my wife.

"I don't know how you could have seen anything," she observed, "the way your nose was pressed up against the glass counter."

Ignoring her, I said, "Judging by what I concluded from my research, the chocolate variations were by far the most popular flavors among the customers in the parlor tonight. Vanilla didn't fare well at all."

"Well, that was certainly true for one patron," agreed my wife. "Now, wipe the chocolate off your chin and let's go home."

So it was in honor of National Ice Cream month that I made the ultimate sacrifice. Throwing caution to the wind (not to mention my cholesterol count), I dove into my job spoon first to determine the accuracy of the old Baskin-Robbins survey.

What did I discover? Well, the vanilla is pretty good ... but so is the chocolate. And the strawberry's not bad either.

And as for the experience of getting back out in the field to do a little hands-on investigative reporting, well it was great.

Anybody know when it's National Beer Month?

What do you think? Is vanilla the best, or is there another special flavor that should be getting recognition during National Ice Cream Month? Drop me a note with your favorite ice cream story--either a flavor or a memory--and we'll make a case for pistachio, peppermint or even (from those old enough to remember) Butter Brickle. Write to me at dsparrer@community-newspapers.com or by mail to 245 Almendra Ave., Los Gatos 95030. I look forward to hearing from you.

Want to talk? Give me a call at 408.354.3110, or write to dsparrer@svcn.com.