Grocery freezers are packed with vanilla ice cream. Our recent search yielded 13 varieties from three supermarket chains.
Surprisingly, our panelists liked the lesser-known brands just as well as the more popular ice creams. The winner was Mayfield Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream purchased at Kash n' Karry for $4.69. Mayfield won with 55.5 points out of a possible 80. All of the samples were tasted blind. Judges considered taste and appearance, and how likely they would be to buy the product.
The second favorite, with 53 points, was Albertsons' upscale brand, Essensia ($4.29). Two brands tied for third place with 46 points, Publix Premium Vanilla ($4.19) and Good Day ($3.99).
Panelists liked the sweetness of the Mayfield ice cream and its appearance: not too white, not too thick.
"I had trouble putting this one down," said one panelist about his spoonful of Essensia. The color of this brand was not as white as some varieties, leading panelists to believe it might have more "natural" vanilla in the mix. The sample also had a fluffy texture that panelists raved about.
The Publix and Good Day samples got high marks because they were "pleasing," said one panelist. The tasters said those varieties held their shape on the spoons and "had reasonably good vanilla flavor."
Other samples left panelists craving something sweeter.
Panelists were surprised that two of their favorites, Haagen-Daz ($3.39) and Ben & Jerry's ($3.69) didn't get higher marks.
"This ice cream was spiked with cough syrup," said one of the Ben & Jerry's sample. He also described the aftertaste from the Haagen-Daz as "aftershock."
Blue Bell ($1.79 per pint), another well-advertised brand, was rated poorly by panelists.
"This ice cream is the reason why we put fudge on vanilla, and nuts and sprinkles and bananas and . . . ." said one judge.
Other brands sampled were: Albertsons ($2.99), Edy's ($3), Hood (3.49), Breyers ($4.99), Pet ($3.99) and Kash n' Karry ($2.99).
Panelists were Nan Jensen, home economist with Pinellas County Family and Consumer Sciences; Ernest Hooper, Times columnist; Harry Galloway, professional pianist and graduate of the Tampa Bay Cooking Academy; and Jim Yockey, aesthetician, Tierra Verde Salon and Day Spa. All food is sampled blind.
Send suggestions for product testing to Taste section, St. Petersburg Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 or e-mail them to krieta@sptimes.com Please put TEST SUGGESTION in the subject line.
