Haagen Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s and Target Archer Farms Top in Ice Cream Test
Haagen Dazs, Ben &
Jerry’s and Target Archer Farms Top in Ice Cream Test
There is nothing better than indulging in ice cream on a hot, summer day! And although there are fancy flavors to fill your freezer, the two top sellers are still chocolate and vanilla.
Consumer Reports trained testers tried 13 vanilla and 11 chocolate, with varying amounts of fat, and found 7 excellent choices. Six of the seven rated by Consumer Reports rated Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s “excellent.” The seventh is from Archer Farms (Target) which offers a tasty alternative at about a third the cost.
All are dense and creamy with strong high-quality flavors. Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean topped the list of vanillas at $1.13 per 1/2 cup serving. Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla ($.97 per serving) and Haagen-Dazs Five Vanilla Bean ($1.13 per serving) took other top vanilla spots.
Among the excellent chocolates is Archer Farms Belgian ($.33 per serving) which has an intense, chocolate flavor enhanced by bits of dark chocolate.
Lower rated ice creams are less creamy and less flavorful with flaws such as gumminess and artificial taste. According to Consumer Reports testers, it seems to be harder to make a high quality vanilla than a high quality chocolate. The chocolate may help mask mistakes.
Most top rated ice creams are a bit pricey - $.97 to $1.16 per serving. For a less expensive alternative, try Archer Farms Belgian Chocolate or Walmart’s Great Value Chocolate ($.23 per serving). Both are Consumer Reports best buys and offer excellent quality at a great price!
There is nothing better than indulging in ice cream on a hot, summer day! And although there are fancy flavors to fill your freezer, the two top sellers are still chocolate and vanilla.
Consumer Reports trained testers tried 13 vanilla and 11 chocolate, with varying amounts of fat, and found 7 excellent choices. Six of the seven rated by Consumer Reports rated Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s “excellent.” The seventh is from Archer Farms (Target) which offers a tasty alternative at about a third the cost.
All are dense and creamy with strong high-quality flavors. Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean topped the list of vanillas at $1.13 per 1/2 cup serving. Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla ($.97 per serving) and Haagen-Dazs Five Vanilla Bean ($1.13 per serving) took other top vanilla spots.
Among the excellent chocolates is Archer Farms Belgian ($.33 per serving) which has an intense, chocolate flavor enhanced by bits of dark chocolate.
Lower rated ice creams are less creamy and less flavorful with flaws such as gumminess and artificial taste. According to Consumer Reports testers, it seems to be harder to make a high quality vanilla than a high quality chocolate. The chocolate may help mask mistakes.
Most top rated ice creams are a bit pricey - $.97 to $1.16 per serving. For a less expensive alternative, try Archer Farms Belgian Chocolate or Walmart’s Great Value Chocolate ($.23 per serving). Both are Consumer Reports best buys and offer excellent quality at a great price!
