The Ice Cream situation?

[JussiK]

As most of us cannot just walk to the San Crispino ice cream parlour in Rome when the craving suddenly hits, we have to do with generally available brands much of the time, don't we? What are the best ones, which is the brand? I used to go for the Cookie Dough of Ben&Jerry's and still do, but now it seems there's a contender: Temptation by Magnum. This is basic vanilla with a crunchy mix of Belgian chocolate, California almonds and caramel sauce (11%). Even the packaging is sinfully opulent.

[QUINNY]

Originally Posted by JussiK

As most of us cannot just walk to the San Crispino ice cream parlour in Rome when the craving suddenly hits, we have to do with generally available brands much of the time, don't we? What are the best ones, which is the brand? I used to go for the Cookie Dough of Ben&Jerry's and still do, but now it seems there's a contender: Temptation by Magnum. This is basic vanilla with a crunchy mix of Belgian chocolate, California almonds and caramel sauce (11%). Even the packaging is sinfully opulent.

I can't tell you where I buy my ice cream, it might cause a riot and have long-lasting reprisal attacks. Yeah! It would make the the ice cream wars look tame (a joke people....a joke).
Glasgow Ice Cream Wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Let me just say, IMO, the best shop bought ice cream isn't one of the major UK brands, but a certain supermarket's own brand (which could come out of one of the big name factories).

My own preference is for real Italian ice cream, beacuse of its velvety smoothness and (I guess) using egg whites instead of/as much as egg yolks (I could be totally wrong, of course). Of the big name brands, I really like Wall's Crema di Mascarpone, although it does tend to repeat on me.

[Graham_Start]

Diabetes greatly limits the amount of ice cream I can have, so I usually make it count and go to Greg's, a local place that has some unique flavours (like roasted marshmallow) and uses no colours or preservatives.

For store-bought product though, it's either Häagen-Dasz or Metropolitan (or is it Metropolitain?).

If you're ever in NYC, you simply must go to Sundaes & Cones and try the lychee flavour. Pure heaven.

Actually, that brings me to a point. Is Häagen-Dasz even marketed in Europe, where most people would know that the "European-sounding" name is a sham?

[QUINNY]

Actually, that brings me to a point. Is Häagen-Dasz even marketed in Europe, where most people would know that the "European-sounding" name is a sham?

Oh yeah and boy is it overpriced? Rather like Jelly Bellys, another 'marketing over substance' successful brand we didn't really ask for.

[Graham_Start]

It is expensive, but I wouldn't say it's overpriced. As mass-produced stuff goes, it's excellent. Likewise, Jelly Bellys... certainly not cheap, but definitely a lot better than the regular cheap ones.

Godiva... now *there's* a brand that's totally overpriced and not worth half of what they ask. Especially in North America, where the product is made in an ordinary factory just like the cheap stuff.

[Videoskooter]

Originally Posted by Graham_Start

Is Häagen-Dasz even marketed in Europe, where most people would know that the "European-sounding" name is a sham?

Yes, in Belgium it's regarded as a premium brand but very expensive. I don't think Ben & Jerry is sold here.

Personally, I never eat ice cream. I'm a sucker for cold yoghourt with a little bit of white sugar mixed in it.

[QUINNY]

It is expensive, but I wouldn't say it's overpriced. As mass-produced stuff goes, it's excellent. Likewise, Jelly Bellys... certainly not cheap, but definitely a lot better than the regular cheap ones.

I don't know what it costs in North America, but over here it's about $7.75 for 500 ml. I'd call that well overpriced, especially as my wife swears by a certain supermarket own brand that she says tastes better, is just as smooth and creamy and is the equivalent of $3.25 for 1000 ml. I can't divulge the name of the supermarket as it would cause a riot (of sorts).

Similarly, Jelly Bellys are typically $3.90 for 100 gm. Is that overpriced?

Good job they don't make any of these items entirely from oil derivatives. UK diesel is currently $10.50 a gallon and unleaded petrol $9.80, or thereabouts.

[Videoskooter]

But after all, for Italians Ice cream has a....I could not ReZist!

[JussiK]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

my wife swears by a certain supermarket own brand that she says tastes better, is just as smooth and creamy and is the equivalent of $3.25 for 1000 ml. I can't divulge the name of the supermarket as it would cause a riot (of sorts).

British brands? Lets' see...we seem to have Tesco's stuff available in my country...something called Waitrose but they don't do ice creams I believe at least haven't seen any here...I know: it's not a British brand you are talking about at all, rather it's the German LIEDL, right? People claim the Liedl Straciatella is quite something. Must try that. Haegen-Dasz costs 5 euros 50 cents here...