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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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8-14-2010 @2:26PM mark said... I think slashfood should start a regional taste off! Braums and Blue Bell should be included as well as other brands from us flyover states!
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8-14-2010 @2:24PM Janice Sparks said... Obviously, Winn-Dixie's " Prestige" Vanilla Ice cream was not tasted. It is wonderful.
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8-14-2010 @7:03PM Pat said... There is no cover under the lid so there's always ice under there.
8-14-2010 @2:40PM Mike H said... The best ice cream in the United States is made in Texas at the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, Texas. It is still sold in real half-gallon containers.
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8-14-2010 @2:35PM RCHall said... I'm sorry, but if Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream wasn't included in this test, the test is automatically incomplete and, therefore, flawed. Blue Bell truly is the best Ice Cream in the country! Don't y'all realize that?
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8-14-2010 @2:36PM Jason said... I am confused. If they were rating 1 to 5, was 1 or 5 a better score? If so, why was Haagen - Dazs with a 4/4 only fourth runner up? Blue Bunny had a 3/4 and got thrid runner up. While Stonyfield also had a 4/4 and got second runner up???? How can you take this serious?
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8-14-2010 @5:06PM cherrypoppins said... BlueBell is the best hands down!
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8-14-2010 @2:48PM Trevor said... What about Ben and Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream??? Oooo Mmmm didn't think about that did ya?lol I've never tried it, but it's probably the best.
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8-14-2010 @2:53PM John H said... Blue Bunny? Mediocre at best. Haagen Dazs is the best of this group. Not even close.
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8-14-2010 @2:47PM keith said... breyers by far
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8-14-2010 @2:41PM Derek Gibson said... Blue Bell Homemade Vaniila is by far the best.
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8-14-2010 @2:42PM LaVonne said... One day the store brand, Sunny Select, was on sale. I bought the Vanilla Bean. Never went back to a name brand. Their Rocky Road is also great! GOOD taste, GOOD price! Can't beat the combination.
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8-14-2010 @2:48PM Rei Su Do said... that's BS this isn't a real ice cream test, this is a mockery to ice cream, they didn't even put THRIFTYS ice cream in the competition. Sorry but you don't hear people tell you that they come all the way from Russia just for Dreyers ice cream, or that they met their wives eating a thrity's ice cream, so I demand a recount and Thristy's to be added to the taste test.
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8-14-2010 @2:50PM jim leonard said... blue bell is by far the best in any flavor
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8-14-2010 @3:02PM George Smith said... You are looking in the wrong places for the best ice cream. Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla beats all others hands down.
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8-14-2010 @3:00PM Bobby said... Wynn Dixie brand takes my vote! I have tried many others, and I go back to their brand.
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8-14-2010 @3:14PM Jim said... I don't eat vanilla ice cream very often but my first choice hands down is Bryer's. I have always and do tell people that if they like vanilla ice cream choose Bryer's. No I do not work for them or have stock in them. I'm a retired Railroad worker who loves ice cream.
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8-14-2010 @3:05PM Donald R. Mack said... I see all these comments about Blue Bell being the best, so I went to look in my freezer, because I know the brand I buy is the best. It's Vanilla Bean and it's made by ..... ah ..... Blue Bell. LOL! I don't buy Breyer's anymore and I used to buy Edy's until they started stocking Blue Bell here in Florida. It's more expensive, but it's the best.
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8-14-2010 @3:03PM Jane said... The best ice cream, to me, is Haagen Daz Five. I had to find goodies with the fewest ingredients because of food intolerances and this is the best. A small tub so I don't go crazy (which I would) and absolutely wonderful. Just plain vanilla or chocolate. Nothing fancy.
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8-14-2010 @4:07PM carolyn said... Absolutely!! It took couple of pages to find someone with the same taste. Also, the HG Honey Vanilla has to be in the list. Its not Five, but pure enough for me. NO Corn Syrups is a wonderful thing, so many ice creams are ruined with anything but sugar.