Recently, nearly 300 of our technicians took a survey to share some of their favorite things about summer. At FlexTrades, one of our core values is to “Enjoy the Journey,” which encourages us to appreciate the moments during those warmer months. We believe that celebrating successes is essential, and celebrations usually involve great food and beverages.
Let’s explore some of the most popular summer foods and beverages based on that survey. We apologize in advance if this article triggers cravings for a backyard BBQ!
Favorite Summer Foods
We asked, “What are your favorite summer foods?”
Grilling, a timeless tradition, was the resounding favorite among our respondents, with 88% expressing their love for it. This comes as no surprise, as in a previous blog, I highlighted some of our technicians’ favorite summer activities, where grilling took the top spot. Grilling is incredibly versatile; you can have hot dogs ready to eat in under 10 minutes or slow-cook ribs all day until the meat falls off the bone. Personally, I enjoy grilling most of my sides as well. Have you ever tried grilling corn in the husk or large portobello mushrooms? It’s a culinary delight!
Fruits ranked second, with 44% of respondents savoring them during summer. Enjoying a cool, sweet fruit on a hot day can be incredibly refreshing. One favorite trick is freezing grapes for that extra chill and a touch of crunch.
Speaking of chill, frozen treats like ice cream and popsicles brought out a wave of nostalgia for almost 40% of our respondents. It’s great to have an excuse as a parent to chase down the ice cream truck again. I admit, I still go for the Ninja Turtle popsicle every time. Did you know there’s a National Ice Cream Day each year in July?
No summer barbeque is complete without potato salad and corn on the cob, each having about 29% of respondents’ votes. To this day, I have yet to find a better potato salad than the one my grandma makes during the summer.
Finally, an honorable mention goes to seafood, which had the most write-in responses. Some of the responses included fried fish, crab legs, and seafood boils. The most unique seafood dish mentioned was Banku with Tilapia, a traditional Ghanaian dish. I found this recipe. I think I need to give that a try.
Favorite Summer Beverages
We inquired, “On a hot summer day, after work or on a day off, what are your favorite things to drink?”
Water was the clear favorite, with almost 74% of respondents choosing it. Water is essential, and our technicians, being some of the top skilled tradespeople in America, understand the importance of staying hydrated. According to the Mayo Clinic, men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluid, while women should drink 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid daily.
Iced tea secured the second spot with 38% of respondents. Considering many of our technicians come from southern states, I was somewhat surprised that this number wasn’t higher! Nonetheless, one of my favorite written responses was, “My famous summer tea.”
Beer came in third, with 31% of respondents enjoying it. A cold brew after a long day at work or on a warm summer evening just feels right. If you’re into craft breweries, our traveling work can take you all over the country where you might find your new favorite pint!
Sodas, referred to as “pop” by some and “coke” by others, had about 23% of respondents’ preferences. These sugary drinks count towards your daily fluid intake, but they aren’t as healthy as water, tea, or coffee.
Conclusion
So, here’s to the joys of grilling, the sweetness of fruits, the coolness of frozen treats, and the myriad of beverages that quench our thirst. Our technicians have spoken, and their rankings encompass the essence of what they love about summer.
Keep an eye out for at least one more blog based on this survey in the coming weeks. Enjoy your summer to the fullest!
