Random Ice Cream Comparison

Introduction

Who does not like ice cream? We definitely do like ice cream. For the most part, we stick mostly to the basic flavors, but we enjoy trying different brands where even the same "flavors" can have subtle differences.

Another aspect of making ice cream that seems rarely discussed is how much ice cream is in ice cream, as opposed to air (aka overrun). Ice cream needs some air mixed in to give it that creamy (not icy) texture. Adding more air to ice cream can improve its texture, but some makers increase overrun to reduce costs (along with emulsifiers and preservatives to maintain texture).

So, while this comparison page gives our (very personal, non-expert, qualitative) opinions on ice cream flavors from several makers, we spent time cataloging a few metrics that tell us how much "stuff" (cream, milk, sugar, and mix-ins) is in each flavor.

What follows is a random list of grocery-store-bought and (a few) local ice cream store-bought flavors. For each flavor, two ratings are given: one is the ice cream's density, which is either measured directly or taken from the nutritional information. The second rating is our personal flavor rating as discussed previously. Two additional indicators of the ice cream's quality are the per-serving calories and fat content, which are also listed. Finally, included is a short commentary on each ice cream's flavor.

Ratings Definition

Regarding the ratings, each of the two ratings are scored from 0-5 using ice cream cup icons. The density rating is purely based on the weight of a single serving size. Any ice cream weighing 145 grams or more is rated 5-cups. Ice creams that weigh between 135 and 144 grams is rated 4.5 cups, and 125-134 grams is rated 4 cups. The ratings decrease a half-cup every 10 grams lower weight. It can be especially interesting to compare this rating between different ice creams of the same flavor, e.g. comparing vanillas between different makers.

The flavor rating is really just an opinion, not a specific metric. For common flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), the flavor rating attempts to include a comparison between different brands of the same flavor. Since the taste-testing between brands is not usually done at the same time so even this may not be a very accurate comparison. (But as I said in the page title, this is random flavor comparison.

Random Flavor Selection

The flavor selection was not completely random. We started picking flavors based purely on one we thought we'd like, and our tastes lean towards the standard flavors. Then it seemed better for comparison purposes to compare a few standard flavors across brands. Thus, we decided to compare Vanilla, Strawberry, and Cookie Dough across brands. The reason these flavors are interesting is as follows:

Vanilla - Some consider this flavor plain and uninteresting, but it has subtle nuances. There is variation in the amount of Vanilla flavoring and the use some amount of eggs, both of which give different characteristics to the flavor. Vanilla is also used by its maker as a base for many other flavors (from that brand).
Strawberry - A popular flavor, and also one where there can be a lot of variation in the strawberry flavor depending on whether fresh strawberries or frozen are used, balanced with the sweetness and creaminess of the ice cream base.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -

Bank Street Strawberry

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

146

Bank Street Creamery, a local shop located in Easton, PA, was established in 1998 and is dedicated to making and selling handcrafted premium ice cream. (No calorie or fat information available, but certainly a lot of flavor.)

Density: This is a dense ice cream with little overrun (air). The downside is that, coming out of a sub-zero freezer, it is very hard to scoop.

Flavor:

Bethlehem Dairy Strawberry

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

Haagen-Dazs Strawberry

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

133

300

Density: As is typical for Häagen-Dazs ice cream, this ice cream is very dense yet feels substantial on the tongue without being overly fatty.

Flavor: This is one of the best-tasting, if not the best-tasting, strawberry ice creams we have tasted. It has a very strong, fresh strawberry flavor, with some stirred-in fruit to enhance it. Along with the fresh berry flavor, the sweet, rich, and creamy base adds sweetness without overpowering the strawberry flavor. Additionally, there is no icy-ness to the texture, just a smooth, creamy texture as one would expect from an ultra-premium ice cream.

Owowcow Strawberry

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

133

Owowcow is a small PA/NJ ice cream shop chain that opened in 2009 to create ice cream that was real and honest, sourcing local & organic cream & milk, fruits, and cage-free eggs.

Density: This is a very substantial "ultra premium" ice cream with a luscious consistency. It is very easy to tell just by the effort to scoop the ice cream.

Flavor: The ice cream has a very dense, creamy texture and a sweet, rich flavor. The strawberry flavoring, while it tastes of fresh strawberries, is somewhat subdued and does not stand out from the rich creaminess of the base. Ideally, I'd prefer a more prominent fresh strawberry flavor.

Straus Strawberry

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

122

280

Density: This ice cream falls into the super-premium category, so it is noticeably lighter and lower in fat than other premium ice creams. I generally prefer a little denser ice cream, but there is something to be said for a little lighter base to emphasize the berrys.

Flavor: This ice cream is a little less dense than some, and it may highlight the fresh strawberry flavor, which is very prominent with each bite. Mixed with that strawberry flavor is a not-overpowering, creamy sweetness from the base that pairs well with the fresh fruit flavor. It probably also helps that there are a lot of strawberry chunks mixed in. (Although this writer usually prefers no strawberry mix-ins, as the icy fruit distracts from the creamy ice cream texture.) The ice cream was a little icy and had a slightly crumbly texture. This might be because it was served directly from the freezer, but it was a slight negative to the overall flavor.

Tillamook Oregon Strawberry

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

200

Tillamook, as a brand, appears to target a slightly upscale ice cream in terms of flavor, mouthfeel, and density.

Density: This ice cream's density is right on the low end of the premium designation, so it is a lighter ice cream than most on this list. For this reviewer, this is a slight negative, but not for those who prefer a lighter dessert.

Flavor: From this perspective, the flavor is one of our two top choices. This ice cream has a strong, fresh strawberry flavor, pleasantly balanced by a sweet, creamy ice cream base. Add to this that the texture is also very smooth, without a hint of iciness, and one ends up with a top rating. Even though this is a less dense ice cream, there is still enough rich cream flavor to satisfy us.

Turkey Hill Strawberries and Cream

Flavor Rating

Density Rating

Serving Weight (gm.)

Calories/Serving

Fat/Serving (gm.)

130

3.5

Pending Review.