For years, many major food companies didn’t bother using genuine vanilla pods in their ice cream, preferring to use a cheaper synthetic chemical compound called vanillin. But as consumers around the world increasingly turn away from artificial flavouring in food in search of more natural ingredients, the popularity of real vanilla beans has risen.

Major ice cream companies with significant financial clout are unlikely to be affected by the vanilla bean shortage for now – and they can also simply rely on vanillin as a synthetic alternative.

But if you like buying your ice cream from independent, artisan gelaterias, you might have to wait a while to get your hands on two scoops of vanilla.

Images: iStock

A vanilla ice cream shortage is currently sweeping the UK