I tried 4 different kinds of store-bought chocolate ice cream and Häagen-Dazs came out on top for its subtle but creamy flavor

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Erin McDowellJul 16, 2020, 02:19 IST
I tried 4 different kinds of store-bought chocolate ice cream and Häagen-Dazs came out on top for its subtle but creamy flavor

Insider

  • I tried four different kinds of store-bought chocolate ice cream: Häagen-Dazs, Breyers, Stop & Shop, and Edy's.
  • I judged each ice cream by its texture, creaminess, and chocolate flavor.
  • In the end, Häagen-Dazs came out on top with its light, creamy ice cream that oozed sophistication.

The ideal chocolate ice cream should be creamy, perfectly scoop-able, and full of sweet, chocolate flavor.

However, some store-bought brands do chocolate ice cream better than others.

In order to find the best chocolate ice cream in the freezer aisle, I tried four commonly-found brands: Häagen-Dazs, Breyers, Stop & Shop, and Edy's.

Here's what I thought of each store-bought chocolate ice cream, ranked from my least favorite to my favorite.

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The Breyers chocolate ice cream was my least favorite of the ones I tried.

The Breyers chocolate ice cream was my least favorite of the ones I tried.
Breyers chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

The 16-ounce tub of Breyers chocolate ice cream cost $3.69 from Foodtown.

From the moment I opened the pint of Breyers ice cream, it looked promising.

From the moment I opened the pint of Breyers ice cream, it looked promising.
Breyers chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

It was a deep, rich, chocolate color and slightly softened from sitting out on the counter.

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Even in the bowl, it looked delicious.

Even in the bowl, it looked delicious.
Breyers chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

However, when I bit in, I was sorely disappointed by the flavor and texture of the ice cream.

In my opinion, as well as my roommate's, the Breyers chocolate ice cream lacked that distinct chocolate flavor — frankly, it didn't taste like anything to me.

In my opinion, as well as my roommate's, the Breyers chocolate ice cream lacked that distinct chocolate flavor — frankly, it didn't taste like anything to me.
Breyers chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

The texture was also less than desirable — it was grainy, chalky, and didn't have the creaminess of some of the other kinds I tried.

While this ice cream definitely didn't taste bad per se, it didn't compare to the other ice cream brands I tried.

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Stop & Shop's churn-style chocolate ice cream advertised that it was lower in fat and calories than comparable kinds of ice cream.

Stop & Shop's churn-style chocolate ice cream advertised that it was lower in fat and calories than comparable kinds of ice cream.
Stop & Shop chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

A 48-ounce tub of chocolate ice cream from Stop & Shop cost me only $3.69.

The tub of Stop & Shop ice cream had a nice churned texture.

The tub of Stop & Shop ice cream had a nice churned texture.
Stop & Shop chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

The ice cream wasn't too runny or too hard to scoop.

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As for the actual chocolate ice cream, it was a good value for how much you get.

As for the actual chocolate ice cream, it was a good value for how much you get.
Stop & Shop chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

Plus, despite being labeled as "light ice cream," it was undeniably creamy and soft.

However, while the Stop & Shop chocolate ice cream won points for texture, the flavor was lacking.

However, while the Stop & Shop chocolate ice cream won points for texture, the flavor was lacking.
Stop & Shop chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

It tasted like ice with a drizzle of chocolate flavor resembling Hershey's syrup — slightly artificial and not nearly rich enough for me. So, while this ice cream was certainly edible, I'd probably pass by it next time I go down the freezer aisle.

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The chocolate ice cream from Edy's was the second-best one I tried, in my opinion.

The chocolate ice cream from Edy's was the second-best one I tried, in my opinion.
Edy's chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

The 1.5-quart, or 48-ounce, container of Edy's chocolate ice cream cost me $5.79 at Foodtown.

Opening the tub of Edy's ice cream, I was excited to dive in.

Opening the tub of Edy's ice cream, I was excited to dive in.
Edy's chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

It was creamy and perfectly scoop-able.

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The Edy's chocolate ice cream could only be described as a kid's birthday party dream.

The Edy's chocolate ice cream could only be described as a kid's birthday party dream.
Edy's chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

It was creamy, milky, and perfectly sweet.

The chocolate flavor was definitely there, but it didn't taste expensive or rich, necessarily.

The chocolate flavor was definitely there, but it didn't taste expensive or rich, necessarily.
Edy's chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

Rather, the Edy's-brand chocolate ice cream was undeniably nostalgic. It transported me back to days of chocolate ice cream cones in the park or family birthday parties. Paired with a sugary, store-bought cake, this ice cream would be the perfect treat.

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The best ice cream I tried was the chocolate ice cream from Häagen-Dazs.

The best ice cream I tried was the chocolate ice cream from Häagen-Dazs.
Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

A 28-ounce container of Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream cost me $9.69 from my local Stop & Shop.

Häagen-Dazs' chocolate ice cream was light in color and, after sitting out on the counter for a few minutes, it retained its shape — rather than becoming a liquidy, chocolate soup like some of the other kinds I bought.

Häagen-Dazs' chocolate ice cream was light in color and, after sitting out on the counter for a few minutes, it retained its shape — rather than becoming a liquidy, chocolate soup like some of the other kinds I bought.
Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

To me, this was a promising sign that the ice cream was high quality.

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Häagen-Dazs' chocolate ice cream formed perfect gelato-like scoops.

Häagen-Dazs' chocolate ice cream formed perfect gelato-like scoops.
Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

The taste was also similar to gelato, funnily enough.

The chocolate ice cream from Häagen-Dazs was light and airy, with just enough sweetness.

The chocolate ice cream from Häagen-Dazs was light and airy, with just enough sweetness.
Häagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream. Erin McDowell/Insider

The chocolate flavor was subtle, but the ice cream did taste distinctly "real" — there was no fake, chocolate syrup-tasting flavor to be found.

This is the type of ice cream you'd break out for a fancy dinner party or classy night in — not your kid's birthday party.

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