With so many enticing flavors of ice cream, you might find it hard to believe that plain old chocolate and vanilla ice creams are still America's favorites. Consumer Reports just tested 24 and has the scoop on the tastiest.
A high quality vanilla ice cream should have a strong, complex real vanilla and full dairy flavor. And a quality chocolate ice cream can have a more chocolate flavor than dairy, but it should taste more like chocolate than just sweet.
Among the ice creams tested—there was fat-free, light, and premium full-fat ones. Not surprisingly, the better-tasting, fuller-fat ice creams didn't do as well nutritionally and they tend to cost more, but for a special treat they're worth it.
Consumer Reports says you can't go wrong with the Ben & Jerry's or Haagen-Dazs chocolate or vanilla ice creams. And the Archer Farms Belgian Chocolate from Target also rated excellent. At a fraction of the cost, It has an intense, complex chocolate flavor enhanced with bits of dark chocolate flecks.
If vanilla is your preference—you can save some money with Breyers Extra Creamy Vanilla—which rated very good.
Of course if you're trying to cut back on calories and fat, full-fat ice creams are real diet breakers. Consumer Reports says two fat-free vanillas to try are Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Creamy Vanilla and Walmart's Great Value Fat-free vanilla. Both have just 90 calories per serving. But remember that serving is just a half-cup.
Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.
Copyright © 2006-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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