The Unofficial Ice Cream thread
- Thread starter GNO
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booneman77
Legend
The Solution
Legend
booneman77
Legend
I'm saying its a joke because any company that charges a ridiculous price for their product better have FLAWLESS quality. Not multiple cases of listeria.
The Solution
Legend
If you ever see how jenis is made and the quality of ingredients they use that is why it is expensive
Th machine held the listeria on the spout not the graham crackers , marshmallows or coffee beans used in the bases
Blue bell is much lower quality but had over 10$ million in recall due to listeria
booneman77
Legend
The point is, if I'm paying a premium price, I expect a premium product. Regardless of how it gets tainted, it is. That's not what I paid for.
The Solution
Legend
And that is exactly what Jeni's is
They make their own marshmallows in house
hey make all their ice cream in house
Their coffee beans are REAL Coffee beans used in the base for the black cat espresso right from Chicago (you eat them in the base)
Their bacon comes right from Asia in purest form (smoky bacon that exclusive ice crams' star is East Asian Cassie Cinnamon)
Their cake is to die for (only in scoop shops) and made fresh daily (you can watch them bake it in small ovens)
the cookies they use in their bases/mix-ins are all home-made from scratch and you can watch them make them right in the store in front of you (Macaroon's and everything)
"We get our milk from cows that graze grass on small family farms within 200 miles of our kitchen. And, with the help of a network of partners across Ohio and beyond, we use our favorite ingredients, often grown in fields dedicated to us and just-picked"
^^
booneman77
Legend
You forgot:
"We include only the finest strains of listeria".
You can't be premium if you have harmful bacteria in your end product. Simple as that. Quality is a significant factor in "premium" products. And they don't have it.
The Solution
Legend
So imported mix ins are quality to a product? Like many major brands that buy and use pre made mix ins. Jenis makes all of theirs by hand
That is like comparing a fresh made burger to McDonald's which is frozen and reheated.
Another example would be fresh bread compared to subway which gets theirs in bags and its thawed out. ehst would you prefer subway bread or fresh Italian baked bread that's the difference in "quality"
That's the difference in jenis to say Breyers or a generic brand (turkey hill, great value etc)
Home made ice cream and mix ins compared to imported .Quality comes from the ingredients used.
Listeria grows in cold climates it is not an ingredient they put in there. It can happen to any ice cream company and it comes out of the production machines. It's not like the company makes the bacteria themselves nor would they ever. Blue bell just happened to fall victim too. Jenis just needs to adjust their production on their machines to prevent it from happening. It could happen to Ben n Jerry's, graeters, gelato fiasco etc on any given day and if it did you would say the same thing about their quality
That is like comparing a fresh made burger to McDonald's which is frozen and reheated.
Another example would be fresh bread compared to subway which gets theirs in bags and its thawed out. ehst would you prefer subway bread or fresh Italian baked bread that's the difference in "quality"
That's the difference in jenis to say Breyers or a generic brand (turkey hill, great value etc)
Home made ice cream and mix ins compared to imported .Quality comes from the ingredients used.
Listeria grows in cold climates it is not an ingredient they put in there. It can happen to any ice cream company and it comes out of the production machines. It's not like the company makes the bacteria themselves nor would they ever. Blue bell just happened to fall victim too. Jenis just needs to adjust their production on their machines to prevent it from happening. It could happen to Ben n Jerry's, graeters, gelato fiasco etc on any given day and if it did you would say the same thing about their quality
booneman77
Legend
It could, but it DOESNT. thus making jenis inferior.
You wouldn't buy a Lamborghini with 3 wheels and say "well it's worth it because it's a Lamborghini"
You wouldn't buy a Lamborghini with 3 wheels and say "well it's worth it because it's a Lamborghini"
Driven2lift
Legend
booneman77
Legend
Lol
Is it cheaper with 3 wheels?
I might
Jenis isn't ha
The Solution
Legend
If your personal preference is buying lower grade and processed foods by all means. I personally would rather pay for quality
just like in the supplement industry you can buy spiked powders for dirt cheap that don't meet label claims or pay a bit more for something that is true to their label. There is a reason why companies can run BOGO's all the time and somehow still make profit. Just like fast food companies with the quality and ingredients they use in their products. Sure you may be eating a dead cow and it may taste great to some people ,but i rather spend the money and go to a mom and pop shop and buy fresh/quality food.
Same aspect applies to TV dinners and real cooked food
why are TV dinners so cheap compared to buying fresh food and cooking it yourself? Quality
Ill still pay the extra for getting fresh/homemade ingredients compared to imported things. Because i rather pay the price for a better tasting product
Sure they were found with listeria, not everything in life is a saint or has mistakes. Ben and Jerries had some in the past and people hate them for the flavors they sent to the grave yard (7 layer, Oatmeal cookie chunk etc). just a part of business because they can no longer make some of those ingredients to make those flavors, so they had to go.
GNO
Well-known member
Another Lake effect pint supplied my boyyy mkretz
Lake Effect Sponge Candy
A sponge candy flavoured ice cream with huge chunks of authentic platter's milk chocolate sponge candy pieces.
Upon opening the pint I see no mix-ins, but after digging the spoon I'm reassured they are there. My first spoon of ice cream with a piece of chocolate sponge candy is great. However, as I work my way down the pint I discover most of the pieces are just chocolate with little to no sponge candy. At first I'm disappointed, but really I don't absolutely love sponge candy. I mean it's good, but I wouldn't buy it on its own. Similar to my other Lake Effect experience with Paula's donuts, the unique base is the standout here. The milk chocolate pieces are tasty but I could use much more.
Final Rating: C+
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The Solution is the picture satisfactory?
Lake Effect Sponge Candy
A sponge candy flavoured ice cream with huge chunks of authentic platter's milk chocolate sponge candy pieces.
Upon opening the pint I see no mix-ins, but after digging the spoon I'm reassured they are there. My first spoon of ice cream with a piece of chocolate sponge candy is great. However, as I work my way down the pint I discover most of the pieces are just chocolate with little to no sponge candy. At first I'm disappointed, but really I don't absolutely love sponge candy. I mean it's good, but I wouldn't buy it on its own. Similar to my other Lake Effect experience with Paula's donuts, the unique base is the standout here. The milk chocolate pieces are tasty but I could use much more.
Final Rating: C+
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The Solution is the picture satisfactory?
The Solution
Legend
What picture?
GNO
Well-known member
Refresh
The Solution
Legend
GNO
Well-known member
Thanks bro, only turning to BnJ if the search for GF and Graeter's fails...
The Solution
Legend
Ben & Jerry's Roasted and Toasted:
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The dark chocolate base is incredibly rich and takes away from the other aspects in the pint. The almonds provide a good crunch, but their flavoring is hidden from the superior flavored base. The Marshmallow swirl is familiar from the S'mores pint that had toasted marshmallow's (as a mix-in). My swirl was very strong at the top of the pint and faded about half way through. The Fudge Chunks I got resembled a hershey sized chocolate bar (as seen in the picture above). Ben & Jerry's have risen the bar on their mix-in game in the new limited batches. I would highly suggest this if you are a dark chocolate fan as Ben & Jerry's made a vast improvement in the chocolate flavoring.
Grade : B+
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The dark chocolate base is incredibly rich and takes away from the other aspects in the pint. The almonds provide a good crunch, but their flavoring is hidden from the superior flavored base. The Marshmallow swirl is familiar from the S'mores pint that had toasted marshmallow's (as a mix-in). My swirl was very strong at the top of the pint and faded about half way through. The Fudge Chunks I got resembled a hershey sized chocolate bar (as seen in the picture above). Ben & Jerry's have risen the bar on their mix-in game in the new limited batches. I would highly suggest this if you are a dark chocolate fan as Ben & Jerry's made a vast improvement in the chocolate flavoring.
Grade : B+
The Solution
Legend
A generic brand (walmart) Won't be a premium ice cream for the most part.
Lettuce be real here Gino. But if cotton candy is your thing (which you seem to enjoy greatly) it may be worth a scoop
A review is great, but they can vary greatly from person to person. You never know what they have had before, or what they truly enjoy. That was Caitlin's first review on the ICI..
In general think of it this way
Take someone who eats nothing but Walmart ice cream or generic ice cream and then take them to Graeters or Jeni's, McConnel's, Coolhaus etc then they may never go back haha
some other reviews stated this on the cotton candy: (simple google search)
"Ts definitely is sweet. The candy pieces are weird but crunchy. Its very cotton candy flavored, but it doesn’t feel overly fake."
"Too much money for a lackluster product."
"i love cotton candy anything and this was over rated"
booneman77
Legend
I've eaten all the fancy ice creams and still enjoy b&j's and even the local "non premium" ice creams just as much if not more, most of the time.
GNO
Well-known member
Good points, I'm not expecting greatness but may give it a go after I run through some of my premium pints and don't get another chance to cross the border.
Also Caitlan stated that she is a cotton candy lover so I tend to give her a little more credibility than some of the other reviews.
"Too much money for a lackluster product." - this review is a tad disingenuous, it's ~
<$3 USD for ~2 L.
GNO
Well-known member
I've heard a lot of people say they found pretty good ice cream from a non-premium brand. I was tempted to try some of the Private Selection pints from Kroger's. The price is phenomenal but when you can get so many you have to go with the heavy hitters (Graeter's, GF, etc)
booneman77
Legend
Totally true when you have to choose like that. For someone who can get whatever whenever it just makes sense to go with your taste buds.
The biggest thing is that the premium ice cream co's only make certain flavors so if you want/like a particular flavor, you just gotta go with whatever the brand may be.
Comparing a graeters to a SAMs choice is apples to oranges since graeters doesn't make a cotton candy.
The Solution
Legend
Graeters also has mix ins in full size chocklate chips, oreo's and cookie dough balls
You also have never had McConnels, salt and straw or chocolate shoppe which are 3 incredible brands that would blow away a SAMs choice or generic brand in a heart beat
I have to say B&J has stepped up their mix in game from the Greyson bakery lately with size and density of mix ins
booneman77
Legend
You completely missed my main point. You can't compare brands if they don't have comparable flavors.
The Solution
Legend
All generic brands have the same flavors most heavy hitters has
Graeters has a strawberry vanilla and chocolate just like the generic brands
Jenis does as well with a chocolate and a vanilla(which was limited) and also a salted caramel which a lot of generic brands have
Coolhaus has a basic chocolate, salt and straw does as well and chocolate shoppe too
No generic brand will touch jenis chocolate it's the best on the market
I would have to say some heavy hitters suck when it comes to limited or seasonal flavors which are so hit or miss graters pumpkin blows
Graeters has a strawberry vanilla and chocolate just like the generic brands
Jenis does as well with a chocolate and a vanilla(which was limited) and also a salted caramel which a lot of generic brands have
Coolhaus has a basic chocolate, salt and straw does as well and chocolate shoppe too
No generic brand will touch jenis chocolate it's the best on the market
I would have to say some heavy hitters suck when it comes to limited or seasonal flavors which are so hit or miss graters pumpkin blows
booneman77
Legend
And which one of those has cotton candy?
You're point is moot when the flavor doesn't exist.
The Solution
Legend
You asked many heavy hitters don't have corresponding flavors and I just pointed you to the majority and the flavors that correspond. These are corresponding flavors like chocolate vanilla and strawberry which almost all brands carry
Cotton candy is not a generic flavor
Most generic brands stick to the original basic flavors which overlap on most big hitters and premium brands to local giant or super market products like great value or Breyers etc...
booneman77
Legend
I think you need to re read my post. I said "most co's only make certain flavors" - in this case, the standards, like you're saying. I then said "but if you want certain flavors, you have to go with whoever makes them"- see: cotton candy
booneman77
Legend
Here it is quoted for you in case your scroll isn't working.
GNO
Well-known member
CoolHaus Dirty Mint Chip review
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When you pop the top off you are met with a very faint green base that almost looks white with black specs. CoolHaus markets the Dirty Mint Chip as fresh organic mint leaf ice cream, brown sugar & semi-sweet chips. The base has a refreshing mint taste, but should not be confused with the "minty" taste of an after eight. This is a more natural mint taste. The chocolate chips you get are the small variety. However they are plentiful, every spoonful comes with multiple chips. I would have preferred they use the sweeter chocolate or dark chocolate.
Although the natural mint base is refreshing and the chocolate chips are plentiful I find myself craving the sweeter and richer mint and chocolate chips.
Rating: B
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When you pop the top off you are met with a very faint green base that almost looks white with black specs. CoolHaus markets the Dirty Mint Chip as fresh organic mint leaf ice cream, brown sugar & semi-sweet chips. The base has a refreshing mint taste, but should not be confused with the "minty" taste of an after eight. This is a more natural mint taste. The chocolate chips you get are the small variety. However they are plentiful, every spoonful comes with multiple chips. I would have preferred they use the sweeter chocolate or dark chocolate.
Although the natural mint base is refreshing and the chocolate chips are plentiful I find myself craving the sweeter and richer mint and chocolate chips.
Rating: B
The Solution
Legend
most companies do not only make certain flavors for example on the product line:
Ben & Jerry's prob a good 50
McConnels has over 2 dozen
Chocolate Shoppe has over 2 dozen
Graeters has about 3 dozen
Coolhaus has around 20
High Road has around 20
Gelato Fiasco has close to 35-40
New Orleans Ice Cream Co (35-40)
Turkey Hill (30-40 Flavors)
That statement is invalid they only make certain flavors because if you look off those brands alone (Not even putting forth generic brands) they all still offer basic flavors and COMPARABLE flavors, which i tried to address to you already which you are not picking up on.
I could even throw your favorite Arctic Zero which is fake sweetner in a pint to the mix above for a brand that makes a variety of flavors that could be added to the list and does have their own different flavors. The only difference from brand to brand is:
Amount of buttermilk fat used in product
Amount of mix-ins
Amount of ingredients/cream/sugar used
Variance of mix-ins and variance of small twists they add into pints (Swirls for example)
Blind fold 10 people and have them eat the following:
Turkey Hill Chocolate
New Orleans Ice Cream Company Chocolate
Chocolate Shoppe Chocolate
Ben & Jerry's Chocolate
Great Value Chocolate
Jeni's Chocolate
Graeter's Chocolate
CoolHaus Chocolate
I can guarantee you 9/10 times they will not select the low quality or cheap great value brand.
a reason a lot of companies do not sell something like "Cotton Candy" is because it does not sell well
Look & Ben and Jerry's when they had it up as a limited edition seller. It was one of their worst selling pints in history and why once it was gone it was gone and for good.
My walmart had it for almost 6 months because they could not sell it.
The Solution
Legend
Good News!!! Jeni's to open doors today!
Jeni's Ice Creams @jenisicecreams 2h 2 hours ago
Opening today at 5 pm across the country. Short North and North Market in Columbus are opening at noon.
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"I’m happy to announce we’re reopening our shops this weekend—in time to celebrate the Columbus Pride Festival, one of our favorite events of the year.
Our shops will open at 5 pm on Saturday across the country. The menu will be limited at first, featuring a mix of our ice creams, frozen yogurts, and sorbet—all made for us by our partners at Smith Dairy—along with sundaes, floats, and sauces. We’ll be adding more flavors to the menu in the coming weeks."
Debating about pulling the trigger on this for the price..
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Jeni's Ice Creams @jenisicecreams 2h 2 hours ago
Opening today at 5 pm across the country. Short North and North Market in Columbus are opening at noon.
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"I’m happy to announce we’re reopening our shops this weekend—in time to celebrate the Columbus Pride Festival, one of our favorite events of the year.
Our shops will open at 5 pm on Saturday across the country. The menu will be limited at first, featuring a mix of our ice creams, frozen yogurts, and sorbet—all made for us by our partners at Smith Dairy—along with sundaes, floats, and sauces. We’ll be adding more flavors to the menu in the coming weeks."
Debating about pulling the trigger on this for the price..
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GNO
Well-known member
FU! I wish I could order premium ice creams online. I just paid $7USD per pint in MI so almost $8.75CDN with the crappy exchange rate so your getting a better deal than I did. Personally I would get more if shipping is constant to lower the total unit cost
booneman77
Legend
I find it so hard to comprehend that you of all people who is so quick to turn on a company for not meeting macros or spiking or any of the other oddities is so willing to go back to a company that has produced diseased product on TWO occasions now ha.
booneman77
Legend
I totally understand what you're saying but the point I'm making is simple:
He wants cotton candy.
The other brand DO NOT MAKE IT.
He HAS TO buy Walmart brand.
It has nothing to do with the quality of the ice cream, the name, the brand, whatever. It's a matter of supply vs demand.
GNO
Well-known member
I think we call this a draw lol
The Solution point taken: if I try the GV CC it's probably going to be mediocre. 9/10 premium brands will be better than a generic brand.
booneman77 As long as no other premium brand makes CC, if I want that flavour my only option is GV. I now feel compelled to buy it and see if it's a diamond in the rough.
The Solution
Legend
Shipping is 14.99 flat to east coast. Based off what reviews show off multiple sources those would be 6 of the best flavors left (after the ones i have tried)
Nick from OSS said the Pistachio is very good as ICI has rated it as well and a few others it is basically like the filling of a cannoli with pistachios
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or Espresso Chip which >>> the malt coffee it has greater like size chocolate chips with an espresso base which may trump it
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When i go to columbus in August there is a fresh market, if they have them in stock it would be much cheaper. Ill wait and see if they do, so i can work on my Stock of New Orleans ice cream co
Nick from OSS said the Pistachio is very good as ICI has rated it as well and a few others it is basically like the filling of a cannoli with pistachios
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or Espresso Chip which >>> the malt coffee it has greater like size chocolate chips with an espresso base which may trump it
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When i go to columbus in August there is a fresh market, if they have them in stock it would be much cheaper. Ill wait and see if they do, so i can work on my Stock of New Orleans ice cream co
The Solution
Legend
B&J did
and it was one of their worst sellers ever made
They had a hard time getting rid of it in Walmart as an exclusive flavor hence its length in the store and poor sales.
GNO
Well-known member
Espresso chip sounds interesting...
Did you try GF espresso chip Gelato? I thought you might have but did not see it on ICI.
The Solution
Legend
"Based off what reviews show off multiple sources those would be 6 of the best flavors left (after the ones i have tried)
only tried PB, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel, Wild Blueberry, Cookie Therapy, S'mores
have not tried espresso that is why it would be included in my 6 pack if i ordered.
GNO
Well-known member
I saw the espresso chip in MI, but I decided to go with Mint Chocolate chip Graeter's because it was half the price.
The Solution
Legend
Hope its worth the scoop. not a big mint fan myself. but the reviews on the Espresso Chip are great from GF, and the mix-ins are massive like the chocolate chips from Graeters. If i can get it at the fresh market in columbus i will and save myself some good $$ i think they are like 4-5$ a pint
The Solution
Legend
Espresso Chip $$$ Shots from OSS
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HNNGG
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HNNGG
GNO
Well-known member
Oh snap! I hope I get another work trip near the border so I can grab it. Or maybe I can bribe Driven2lift to grab it for me during his travels.
Always hear about something good right after I get back
The Solution
Legend
Oh snap! I hope I get another work trip near the border so I can grab it. Or maybe I can bribe Driven2lift to grab it for me during his travels.
Always hear about something good right after I get back
how many times have i told you read multiple reviews haha
GNO
Well-known member
Haha I read a lot of the reviews on ICI. But I go to the US very rarely by car when I can pick up ice cream. There is literally 5x the selection there than there is in Canada. To memorize the rating on every single brand/flavour = too many permutations. Add on top of that most brands have the same flavours and sometimes you miss one.