Do you get more ice cream in a cone or a cup? We’ve got the inside scoop

Are you loyal to one side? Or can you be tempted either way? (Picture: Getty/Metro) Salty or sweet? Edward or Jacob? Minimalist or maximalist? We love picking sides. And the same mentality goes for this particularly contentious debate: cone or cup? Do your icecream scoops sit atop a pastry-like cone? Or are they cradled in the safety of a cup and a teensy plastic spoon? Many people favour the latter, because of the age-old belief that you get more for your money. A bigger container, a larger amount of ice cream, right? Plus, you walk away with no sticky hands, and more pistachio gelato than your naive friend who chose a cone. It’s a win, win… right? Metro investigated to find out, definitively, if you get more bang for your buck in a cone, or a cup. The More You Know... You’re reading The More You Know… Metro’s new series seeking to answer your mundane (but totally legitimate) life questions. Read the first article in the series here, or let us know what your mates are debating at metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk The great gelato debate continues (Picture: EyesWideOpen/Getty Images) ‘It feels like a race against the clock’ ‘There is less of a time constraint when you get a cup, which I enjoy,’ Londoner Josie de Kock, 27, tells Metro. ‘It’s not a race against the clock before the ice cream starts melting down your hand. The whole experience is just less stressful.’ Jessica Corrigan, 26, a sweet treat lover who sits firmly in the ‘anti-cone’ camp agrees, saying she finds that cones ‘distract from the rich ice cream flavour’, calling them a ‘taste barrier’. However, some people ride or die for those wafer cones. George Oglethorpe, cohost of Not Being Funny, Babe, the @loveofhuns podcast, tells Metro: ‘100% it has to be a cone – cups make me feel like a middle aged mum just having “a little sweet treat”. Bethan Sandall, 25, adds that while she ‘loves cones so much’ she’s only truly enticed if it’s one of the thick waffle cones – she’s far less fussed if it’s paper-thin. Hey, foodies! Add us as a Preferred Source At Metro Food, we're here to bring you all the latest foodie news, delicious recipes, restaurant reviews, and cooking tips. As a loyal reader and a part of our vibrant community, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for stories Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. Add us as a Preferred Source From the latest Walkers flavours to the secret McDonald's menu, Metro Food has it all ‘That being said’, she adds ‘a cup does feel more boujee and sophisticated because it stops the ice cream from running down your arm and getting sticky’. Filipa Castro, 28, says that her decision tends to be based on who she’s with at the time: ‘If I’m comfortable making a fool out of myself trying to eat an ice cream cone while it’s melting, then I’ll definitely go for the cone.’ Do you prefer a cup or a cone? Sign up to Metro's The Slice newsletter for your guide to what's on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways. Cups have to be better value for money… right? According to Celine Thompson, one of the owners at award-winning spot Jefferson’s ice cream, it’s an myth that you get more in a cup. At her family-owned ice creamery, based in South London, they work exclusively with dairy rich ice cream, meaning they use a traditional scoop to serve the product. Celine tells me that at Jefferson’s they ‘scoop for consistency’, even ensuring all of their new team members attend their in-house ‘scoop school’ to make sure they master the technique. ‘From our perspective, we make sure everybody gets the same sized scoop. We scoop with control, whether it’s a cup or a cone. It’s all about the scoop consistency (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Celine says that at Jefferson’s, they sold 60,000 cups and cones last year — with a 60/40 split that favoured cones. One of the reasons Celine thinks that people may be under the impression that you get more for your money with a cup is because of the ‘ice berg theory’. ‘Ice cream in cups can often feel more visible, whereas cones are more like an ice berg – you only see the top’. The gelato variable Another insider reveals that the situation can be a little less clear when you’re dealing with gelato as opposed to ice cream. Operations Manager for Gelateria Badiani, Stefano Franchi, tells Metro: ‘At Badiani’s, we serve gelato the traditional way. It’s not like the classic British ice cream that’s rolled up in a small ball that’s then put on top of the cup. Instead, we use a spatula’. Using a spatula for the gelato makes it harder to control portion size(Picture: supplied) The gelato expert, who’s been with the company for over four years, explains that when they put gelato in their cones, it’s harder to control portion sizes. He shares: ‘Lots of places use the scooper, meaning it can be more consistent. But with the tool we use for gelato, there’s a lot more hand shaping involved. ‘So the size you get usually depends on the guy that’s behind the counter’. Cups might be less messy, but does that also make them less fun? (Picture: Getty Images) Stefano even reveals that when they have new starters in the company, they typically have to watch over them pretty closely, just to make sure they’re following protocol and not accidentally letting a customer leave with half the stock. But with a cup, Stefano adds, there’s only so much space you can fill up. What you see is what you get. Despite this, Badiani sells far more cups than cones, with sales split at just over 75% cups to 25% cones. This is due to several factors. I thought something was crawling under my skin — the reality was even worse I told him it was in the wrong hole - then I found out why I thought my period started during sex - it wasn't my blood As Stefano explains, gelato is served slightly warmer than ice cream, enhancing its flavour and texture but causing it to melt more quickly—making cups a more practical, relaxed option for customers. Cups are also slightly cheaper than cones, which can influence decisions. While children often prefer cones, parents tend to opt for cups as they’re less messy. The best of both worlds? (Picture: supplied) When children insist on a cone but parents push for a cup, Stefano offers a compromise: a ‘unicorn’ —a cup of gelato topped with an upside-down cone. So, next time you’re craving a sweet treat, make sure to check which tool the servers have hidden under the counter before you make your decision. The more you know... We’re on a hunt to answer all of your burning questions. Want to get involved? Start a debate in our inbox: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk. Arrow MORE: Did the clocks go back or forward last night and did other countries change theirs? Arrow MORE: The sunshine is finally here – and these new perfumes are perfect for summer 2026 Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.

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