Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate ice cream isn't taste-tested as much

For whatever reason -- possibly because it's easier on the palate over extended periods of time -- vanilla ice cream is the subject of many more taste tests than chocolate ice cream. Seven of the sources we consulted devote themselves entirely or primarily to vanilla ice cream, while only five concentrate on chocolate (the rest conduct taste tests with both chocolate and vanilla ice creams, or various other flavors). In addition, individual preferences are more distinct for chocolate ice cream. Opinions are scattered across the board, with as much criticism as there is praise for most brands. For this reason, it's a bit harder to establish a consensus, as there's less differentiation between the top-ranked brands.

Overall, Friendly's Classic Chocolate (*Est. $3 for 1.5 quarts) has the broadest appeal with a smooth, creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor that's not too sweet and not too light, according to SlashFood.com, which names Friendly's Classic Chocolate as its top pick. It's also the top-rated chocolate ice cream in the Dayton Daily News, where tasters say it has a "most distinctive chocolate flavor." Panelists for one cooking magazine's roundup say it has an "ultra-creamy mouthfeel" and liken its flavor to "frozen hot cocoa." Friendly's Classic Chocolate seems to satisfy consumers who prefer rich, intense chocolate flavor as well as those who don't like super-sweet chocolate.

Dreyer's/Edy's Grand Chocolate (*Est. $4 for 1.5 quarts) is recommended as often as Friendly's Classic Chocolate, but it's criticized more frequently. Tasters for one foodie magazine say Dreyer's/Edy's Grand Chocolate has rich chocolate flavor but complain about its texture, which they say isn't that creamy. It's one of the highest-rated chocolate ice creams in a review by the York Daily Record, but lands near the middle in a professional roundup of 11 chocolate varieties. While it's still deemed very good in this review, Ben & Jerry's Chocolate (*Est. $4 per pint), Breyers Extra Creamy Chocolate (*Est. $4 for 1.5 quarts) and two Häagen-Dazs Chocolate varieties (*Est. $4 per pint) all score better overall than Dreyer's/Edy's Grand Chocolate.

Opinions on Ben & Jerry's Chocolate and Häagen-Dazs Chocolate land at opposite ends of the spectrum. Ben & Jerry's Chocolate and Häagen-Dazs Chocolate are both said to be "excellent" in one professional roundup of 11 chocolate ice creams, but similarities end there. Ben & Jerry's Chocolate emerges as one of two winners (joined by Friendly's Classic Chocolate) in a review for one cooking magazine, where panelists say it's "pleasantly creamy." However, tasters for SlashFood.com pan this flavor, calling it "extremely disappointing." Panelists agree that it's creamy, but aren't won over by the chocolate flavor they describe as "unremarkable." Ultimately, Ben & Jerry's Chocolate is named one of the worst in this review.

Häagen-Dazs Chocolate, on the other hand, places as third-runner up in SlashFood.com's roundup, where tasters say it has "the perfect chocolate flavor and consistency." Panelists for the same foodie magazine that names Ben & Jerry's Chocolate and Friendly's Classic Chocolate best strongly disagree with SlashFood.com, calling Häagen-Dazs Chocolate "kind of blah." The verdict? Consumers will have to conduct their own taste-testing to decide between Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's Chocolate, as these brands seem to appeal to different tastes.

Wells Blue Bunny Homemade Chocolate (*Est. $3 for 1.75 quarts) and Wells Blue Bunny Chocolate Champion (*Est. $3 for 1.75 quarts) also receive mixed feedback. Wells Blue Bunny Chocolate Champion earns a recommendation from one foodie magazine, although panelists say the flavor is off, noting that it's sweeter than chocolate. Likewise, tasters for SlashFood.com say it has an odd, artificial taste. At the York Daily Record, however, Wells Blue Bunny Homemade Chocolate (*Est. $3 for 1.75 quarts) is tied for the highest rating (alongside Dreyer's/Edy's Grand Chocolate) among the five chocolate ice creams sampled. Tasters say its texture is light and airy; most say the chocolate flavor is mild. Again, we're not sure if the difference between the two flavors is enough to sway opinions, but Wells Blue Bunny Homemade Chocolate is received more readily than the Chocolate Champion flavor.

The other major national brand, Breyers, keeps a low profile in chocolate ice cream reviews. Breyers All Natural Chocolate (*Est. $4 for 1.5 quarts) is liked by panelists for one national cooking magazine, who found its texture grainy and describe its taste as "processed." York Daily Record reviewers also note the presence of ice crystals and say its texture is "watery." Breyers other chocolate offering, Breyers Extra Creamy Chocolate (*Est. $4 for 1.5 quarts) gets middling scores in another professional roundup, and most of the other brands discussed above score better.