Dahi Takes Charge
As the mercury climbs across India, consumer choices for staying cool are showcasing a fascinating pivot. Instamart's Summer Trends 2026 report highlights
that it's not just the usual suspects like ice cream and cold beverages seeing increased demand. Notably, dahi, or curd, has surged to become the most frequently ordered product overall during the summer months. This traditional dairy staple is now almost on par with, and in many cases outperforming, cold drinks and ice cream. The data is striking: six of the top ten most-ordered items on the platform are curd-based, underscoring a pronounced preference for these familiar, cooling foods. Alongside these dairy delights, fresh fruits are also experiencing a considerable uptick in popularity. Seasonal produce such as watermelon, muskmelon, and mangoes are being ordered in greater quantities, indicating a growing inclination towards natural and wholesome food options as the weather heats up.
Heat Fuels Cravings
The onset of March and April brought with them a significant rise in temperatures across the nation, directly correlating with a surge in orders for key summer categories. Several products experienced week-on-week growth of up to 300 percent, illustrating a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the heat and consumer purchasing behavior. Mangoes, a quintessential summer fruit, saw a substantial jump in demand, as did cold coffees and fizzy drinks, reflecting a desire for refreshing and invigorating options. Fruit popsicles also recorded sharp increases, providing a sweet and chilled respite from the rising heat. This pattern emphasizes how intensely external weather conditions influence our immediate food and beverage preferences, pushing traditional seasonal favorites and cool treats to the forefront of grocery lists.
Evening Ice Cream Ritual
For many across India, the end of the day brings a specific craving: ice cream. Instamart's report pinpoints 9 pm as the peak moment for ice cream consumption nationwide. The demand for these frozen treats significantly more than doubles during the evening window, specifically between 6 pm and 9 pm, with weekends further amplifying these numbers. When delving into flavor preferences, chocolate continues its reign as the undisputed champion, accounting for nearly a quarter of all ice cream orders. It comfortably leads ahead of other popular choices like vanilla, butterscotch, and mango-flavored ice cream. Geographically, Bengaluru has earned the title of India's ice cream capital, followed closely by major metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata. However, certain smaller cities and towns, including Central Goa, Thrissur, Thiruvalla, Nagercoil, and Manipal, report higher per-user ice cream order volumes, suggesting intense local engagement with this dessert.
Beverage Innovations Rise
India's thirst for refreshments is also evolving this summer, with a noticeable shift towards more nuanced and traditionally spiced beverages. Jeera masala sodas, alongside cold coffees and other cafe-style coolers, are rapidly gaining favor among consumers. The report highlights a dramatic increase in demand for these categories, with jeera masala soda orders skyrocketing by an impressive 900 percent in March alone. Cold coffee followed suit, showing an increase of nearly 700 percent. This trend complements the enduring popularity of traditional drinks such as coconut water, buttermilk, lassi, and milkshakes, which also recorded significant growth. Similar to ice cream consumption, beverage orders tend to peak during the cooler evening hours, specifically between 6 pm and 9 pm, indicating a preference for refreshing drinks as the day winds down.
Regional Tastes Vary
While dahi consistently ranks as a national favorite for summer, regional culinary preferences introduce a unique character to each city's consumption patterns. In Ahmedabad and Rajkot, for instance, consumers show a preference for a balanced mix of buttermilk, ice cream, and soft drinks. Bengaluru and Mumbai lean towards orders heavily featuring fruits, with watermelon and muskmelon being particularly popular. Chandigarh stands out with lassi being a primary staple for its residents. Chennai and Kochi also exhibit a strong demand for muskmelon and watermelon. Delhi and Lucknow show a preference for buttermilk-led consumption habits. Meanwhile, Hyderabad and Pune display a more eclectic taste, with a balanced selection of fruits, curd, and various beverages. These variations demonstrate how local traditions and climate influence specific summer food and drink choices across the country.
Top Spenders Revealed
Examining spending patterns reveals some intriguing insights into how consumers are prioritizing their summer purchases. One user in Guntur exhibited exceptionally high spending, dishing out over Rs 15,000, with their carts predominantly filled with energy drinks and rechargeable mini-fans, indicating a focus on personal comfort and invigoration. In Central Goa, another shopper invested more than Rs 11,600, stocking up on essentials like coconut water, kulfi, mangoes, and various cool drinks. Other significant spenders were identified in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, where individual carts exceeded Rs 10,000. These high-value orders typically comprised a mix of cold coffee, buttermilk, mangoes, yogurt, and ice cream, showcasing a blend of hydration needs, indulgent treats, and everyday comfort items sought after during the hot season.
Mango Season Arrives
The quintessential Indian summer experience wouldn't be complete without the arrival of mangoes, and this year is no exception. While the peak season for Alphonso mangoes is just commencing, the Sindhu variety has already emerged as the most ordered type of mango so far. Demand for Banganapalli and raw mangoes is also experiencing significant growth, catering to various culinary uses. Interestingly, the fastest expansion in mango order volume is being observed in smaller cities such as Kozhikode, Madurai, Trichy, Visakhapatnam, and Nellore, suggesting a broadening appeal beyond major urban centers. Bengaluru leads in overall mango consumption, surpassing the combined orders from Hyderabad and Chennai. Cities like Thanjavur, Pondicherry, and Mangaluru are also showing robust demand, with Delhi and Gurgaon rounding out the list of top mango-appreciating cities nationwide.
