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Who makes the best vanilla ice cream? In the hot summer months, walking down the ice cream aisle of a supermarket can make your head spin -- so many flavors and varieties to choose from. Slashfood decided to help you narrow those possibilities down. We took the most simple flavor -- vanilla -- and put it to the test. Did you know that vanilla ice cream is the most popular flavor of choice? In fact, "30% of Americans prefer vanilla over any other flavor," John Harrison, Edy's flavor guru, says.
We gathered 16 different brands from local supermarkets in New York and New Jersey (most brands are available nationwide), and rated them on a scale of one to five for creaminess and vanilla bean flavor. After the editors did a round of testing themselves, we decided to organize a blind taste test with our co-workers here at AOL. More than 20 people showed up to determine which vanillas were the best -- and which ones were deemed the worst.
In the end, we came up with two winners for the best -- the editors chose one and the testers chose another -- and one for the overall worst (we were all in agreement there).
After the jump, our picks for the best and worst vanilla ice creams ...
Vanilla Ice Cream Taste Test
Fourth Runner-Up: Haagen Daz
Creamy: 4
Vanilla bean flavor: 4
Editor comments: "This is real vanilla. It has a deep, rich vanilla taste that almost resembles a custard." "It's so creamy it almost resembles a cake batter."
Our panel says: "This tastes like absolute heaven."
Third Runner-Up: Blue Bunny
Creamy: 3
Vanilla bean flavor: 4
Editor comments: "Sweet, delicious and thick like frozen custard." "This was the one ice cream that a strong vanilla fragrance."
Second Runner-Up: Stonyfield
Creamy: 4
Vanilla bean flavor: 4
Editor comments: "Dense and creamy, this ice cream had the ultimate velvety texture."
Our panel says: "Creamy, smooth and delicious. This is the perfect ice cream to top warm pie."
First Runner-Up: Trader Joe's
Creamy: 4
Vanilla bean flavor: 2
Editor comments: "This ice cream almost has a hint of maple, which I found to be addictive."
Our panel says: "It's everything vanilla ice cream should taste like."
Editor's Pick: Breyer's
Creamy: 3
Vanilla bean flavor: 3
Editor comments: "This is classic vanilla." "While it's more fluffy than creamy, I still love it." "If I were to reach for one ice cream again -- whether to eat alone, top pie or put in a float, I would come back to this one."
Overall Winner: America's Choice
Creamy: 2
Vanilla bean flavor: 1
Our panel says: "Had the most pure vanilla flavor, but at the same time it wasn't overwhelming." "The ice cream was extremely rich in flavor and creamy.
Fifth Worst: Van Leeuwen
Creamy: 1
Vanilla bean flavor: 1
Editor comments: "Tastes like cake batter gone wrong." "The texture is extremely unpleasant, gritty and watery."
Our panel says: "Tastes like marshmallows
Fourth Worst: Adirondack Creamery
Creamy: 1
Vanilla bean flavor: 0
Editor comments: "Makes my mouth dry." "Weird metal aftertaste." "I couldn't even finish my small sample."
Third Worst: Whole Foods 365
Creamy: 2
Vanilla bean flavor: 2
Editor comments: "There was no flavor at all to this ice cream, such a waste of calories." Filmy -- creamy but too thick."
Second Worst: Horizon Organic
Creamy: 3
Vanilla bean flavor: 1
Editor comments: "Bad aftertaste. Almost chemical or plastic-like." "While it's creamy, when it hits the tongue, it's just a bad experience."
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8-13-2010 @4:44PM Anthonie said... Breyers is by far the best of the ones tested. It's really no competition. Its definitely a classic.
Reply
8-14-2010 @10:16AM Jadin said... I'm a Breyer's fan too! Mostly because there's not a bunch of artificial stuff in their recipe. I also really like Ben & Jerry's, which by the way they offer buy one get one free sundaes at their scoop shops 1 day each week. Check it out at http://bit.ly/aqI8v9 and enjoy the free ice cream. What could be better than that on a hot Summer day?!
8-14-2010 @2:55PM nina said... Yes, it's the number one for sure...Bryers!!
8-14-2010 @4:06PM Jaycee said... Breyers is good. However, anyone in New York knows that Stewarts' Shop's Philadelphia Vanilla is the best. It was voted best vanilla ice cream in the world at the world dairy expo.
8-14-2010 @4:05PM tara said... This just proves that it's all subjective because I can't stand Breyer's vanilla. It's the last one I want and only buy it if it's half-price or something. The consistency is too much like ice milk rather than ice cream, and the flavor is really pretty bland overall. That's why these taste test results should be taken with a grain of salt and people should really try the items for themselves because no one can tell you what YOU like best. Everyone's taste is different.
8-14-2010 @4:20PM Cathy said... replying is the only way to get a comment on the first page... :)
I have to say that Brigham's Vanilla is the best! If I moved out of New England, Brigham's Vanilla and the blueberries from my yard are what I would miss the most.
8-14-2010 @5:19PM berg1928 said... I agree!
8-14-2010 @11:16PM James said... I would prefer doing my own taste test on Slashfood Editors Sarah and Lindsay... I believe Sarah to be more rich and creamy with just a hint of Vanilla Bean, and Lindsay perhaps more flavorful overall.... It doesn't matter really, either one beats Vanilla Ice Cream in my book... :- )
8-14-2010 @5:44PM LadyDi said... Nothing - and I mean nothing! - beats Halo Farm Vanilla Bean!
8-14-2010 @5:54PM NotDumbEnough said... These women are all too skinny to be ice cream lovers. Why would I trust their take on it. Give me a break.
8-14-2010 @6:16PM Allison said... I HATE BREYERS!!! It is like putting a spoonful of sand into my mouth, it's so grainy. I like my ice cream rich and creamy, like Haagen Daz, not whipped up like the other ones. I have never had America's Choice, but it is generic brand, and I highly doubt that it could possibly be rated over other brands if a REAL study were done..................
8-14-2010 @6:26PM Mike said... Blue Bell is the best ice cream. Homemade vanilla
8-14-2010 @6:37PM Lou said... The best is Hull ice cream made in Hull, IA. I'm sure no one has ever heard of it..
8-14-2010 @7:08PM tiffany said... I disagree with Blue Bunny being the 3rd runner up! That stuff is NASTY! Their vanilla tastes EXACTLY like the milk left over after you eat a bowl of Lucky Charms. It is the weirdest thing! All in all, not good...
8-14-2010 @7:04PM anna said... Blue Bell is the best.
8-14-2010 @7:05PM Lauren said... Chocolate is really my favorite. Http://www.icecreamguide.info But there's nothing like vanilla on warm Apple Pie or a warm Brownie!!!
8-14-2010 @7:11PM Rick said... If you are ever in upstate New York, try Stewarts Vanilla which recently won some countrywide competitions.
8-15-2010 @9:04AM Dr. Rock said... Seriously? No Blue Bell? Sad to say that this is not a valid comparison if Blue Bell was not an entry.
8-14-2010 @7:20PM Kyle said... Amen to those who love Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla. By far the best I've ever had.
8-15-2010 @2:44AM Jean Speights said... Just wait till you taste Blue Bell's Homemade Vanilla. Leaves the other brands to mourn.