One of them is used as a synonym for boring, but it’s no accident that vanilla frequently ranks as the most popular ice cream flavor.

It’s also worth remembering that it was considered an exotic New World rarity for centuries, and natural vanilla is still quite expensive. Still, chocolate (also a New World find) is satisfying in a way that few other things are — not to mention versatile. Whether in cake, candy bars, donuts, or just about any other sweet treat you can imagine, it’s ubiquitous for a reason.