Häagen-Dazs vs. Ben & Jerry's: Which Are You Down With?
Häagen-Dazs vs. Ben & Jerry's—it's the ice cream battle of our time. It's like the Yankees vs. the Red Sox, Ali vs. Liston, or the Knicks vs. the Heat in the old days. There's plenty of bad blood—or should I say curdled cream?—between them. Older ice cream eaters might remember that in 1984 Häagen-Dazs tried to limit distribution of Ben & Jerry’s in Boston, prompting Ben & Jerry’s to file suit against Häagen-Dazs's parent company, Pillsbury, in its now famous “What’s the Doughboy Afraid Of?” campaign.
Every ice cream lover I know chooses sides in this war, and make no mistake about it, this is a battle royale. Who you pick says a lot about who you are and comes perilously close to making a fashion statement. This choice is most assuredly a value and values judgment.
So pick your pleasure. Are you down with Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry's? Life's full of tough choices, and this is certainly one of them.
To help you, we're going to supply a little background info on each. At Serious Eats, an educated consumer is our most important product.
Häagen-Dazs was the brainchild of Reuben Mattus, a Polish immigrant and small-time ice cream maker in the Bronx. In 1959, he found his business squeezed for shelf space and wildly undersold by larger national brands like Sealtest and Borden. About to go out of business, he decided to risk it all on a high-butterfat, no-additive ice cream. So he created Häagen-Dazs, giving it a name that sounded European, downright continental, but that in actuality had no meaning in any language.
But doesn't Haagen-Dazs sound tony, sophisticated, and downright elegant? Mattus's ice cream back then, as now, had very little air pumped into it, lots of butterfat, and used high-quality ingredients to create simple, classic flavors like Rum Raisin and Vanilla Almond. Then, as now, it is the only widely available ice cream made without any artificial or natural stabilizers like guar gum or carrageenan.
Remarkably, though Mattus sold the company in 1983 to Pillsbury (which in turn was acquired by General Mills in 2000), Häagen-Dazs remains as true to its roots and its commitment to quality as it was when Mattus owned it. It is perhaps the finest example of a small food company being swallowed up by a corporate giant that has maintained its standards and commitment to quality.
Ben and Jerry's, on the other hand, was started in Burlington, Vermont, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, two Long Island, New York, refugees with a decidedly countercultural bent.
Armed with the knowledge gained by a $5 ice cream–making correspondence course and $12,000, Cohen and Greenfield opened the first Ben & Jerry's in a renovated gas station in 1978.
Cohen and Greenfield's pro-social, granola-saturated personalities came to be synonymous with their brand. Perhaps inspired by the legendary Steve's Ice Cream in Waltham, Massachusetts, Ben & Jerry's became synonymous with elaborately concocted flavors with wacky names like Cherry Garcia and later, Chubby Hubby. The ice cream itself was also a high-butterfat superpremium product made with lots of mix-ins like Heath Bars, cookies, and even cookie dough.
Unlike Häagen-Dazs, it has always had stabilizers like guar gum. Like its more urbane competitor, Ben & Jerry's was also sold to a huge corporation—in 2001, Unilever, a multinational company, purchased the brand and neither Ben nor Jerry still work there full-time.
So what will it be? The cool, urbane, sophisticated Häagen-Dazs or the tie-dyed, bearded, back-to-nature Ben & Jerry's?
I'll admit it. I'm a Häagen-Dazs man. I've done many a direct comparison in basic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and coffee, and I have found the Häagen-Dazs flavors to be cleaner and truer to their basic ingredients. But I might be able to be convinced otherwise.
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39 Comments:
Both are now owned by huge industrial conglomerates, but I have to say Haagen-Dazs is currently the better product.
jperlow at 8:41AM on 07/20/07
As a VT neighbor, Ben & Jerry's has a special place in my heart and emotionally, is probably my favorite. I also admit I love their creative and quirky flavors and flavor names. When it comes to pure taste, especially for basic flavors, Haagen-Dazs wins.
Kerri at 8:47AM on 07/20/07
Ben and Jerry's is a gummy mess of an ice cream. It's no contest for me.
curdnerd at 8:59AM on 07/20/07
I've been a Haagen-Dazs gal ever since I got hooked on their coffee ice cream when I was seven. Ben & Jerry's is fun if you're looking for peanut-buttter-stuffed chocolate-covered pretzels in your ice cream, but for a clean, pure taste with the smoothest, richest mouthfeel, those two guys have nothing on Haagen Dazs. All you have to do is compare the ingredients between the two brands and it's obvious which one is the superior product--HD hands down!
homesicktexan at 9:19AM on 07/20/07
There is no way to compare they two. They make two totally different products. It's like saying "Do you prefer a piece of plain chocolate from a high end chocolate shop, or a Snickers Bar?". Pure Ice Cream to pure Ice Cream, I don't think anyone will dispute that Haagen Daaz makes a much higher quality product. But Ben & Jerry's packs their pints full of all sorts of delicious crap.
It all depends on what you're in the mood for. You'd probably serve Haagen Daaz at a dinner party (topped yourself with some sort of freshly prepared ingredient), while you reserve B&J's for those late nights on the couch, alone- wallowing in your fatness.
But to your point of "preference says a lot about who you are"- I think it is pretty safe to say that Ice Cream connosiuers will probably opt for the pint of Haagen Daaz, while pure gluttons (aka, fat guys like me) probably purchase B&J's more often.
Zach Brooks at 9:22AM on 07/20/07
Haagen-Daz absolutely wins (especially their coffee ice cream...yum!!). There's so much stuff mixed in to Ben and Jerry's that you can barely taste the ice cream (which is almost always too sweet as it is). I especially don't understand flavors like "karamel sutra," in which half the pint is taken up by a huge glob of caramel that basically tastes like corn syrup!
ChristineB at 9:24AM on 07/20/07
Growing up, I never viewed Häagen-Dazs as being snooty or "continental" or European. I guess I just saw it for what it was—a slick corporate product with a faux sophisticated name. Of course, growing up, my family couldn't afford Häagen-Dazs so we just ate the store-brand stuff and I had no idea it was so good and dense and rich. I now love it and love the fact that it was created by a good ol' Pole (dems my peeps!).
I don't know why, but I really hate the zaniness of Ben & Jerry's, and I've always been put off by the fact that I can't get something close to simple with them. For instance, my favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla chocolate chip or chocolate chocolate chip (boring, I know)—and Ben & Jerry's makes neither. The closest I can get is, say, New York Brownie Fudge (or whatever the hell they call it) or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I'm sorry, but I don't want the cookie dough part, I just want the chocolate chip!
Adam Kuban at 9:26AM on 07/20/07
haagen-dazs all the way for me. the ben and jerry's stuff is just TOO sweet for me...especially with all the mix-ins.
sassysprite at 9:38AM on 07/20/07
I absolutely prefer ben & jerry's because I love the zany flavors!
I would never eat their plain vanilla or chocolate, but anything with fudgy dinosaurs is a sure hit with me!
That said, I do love the Haagen-Dazs' Tres Leches flavor, but I don't really like ice cream all that much, I eat it probably once every 6 months, so I'm no expert... Sorbet however is another story...
theheadhen at 9:43AM on 07/20/07
Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Crunch is my all-time favorite ice cream flavor. I buy it as a special treat. But, I live in Houston, Texas and the best ice cream in the world is BLUE BELL. (the little creamery in Brenham)
mrbadideas at 10:01AM on 07/20/07
Häagen-Dazs overall (love their coffee!), though I grab Ben & Jerry's Coconut Almond Fudge Chip when it's available (only as a flavor flashback, though).
When I lived in Paris (cue rolling of eyes from readers), the debate was Häagen-Dazs or Bertillon. Most people prefer Bertillon, but I always retained a fondness for Häagen-Dazs.
Also, the H-D strawberry ads are getting to me. It looks good.
NYminknit at 10:05AM on 07/20/07
@Adam: I would say the price differential comes in at the Häagen-Dazs store. A scoop on a cone is more expensive than at other places. I think at the supermarket, it's worth buying H-D for an occasional treat instead of more frequent, but shoddier tasting ice cream.
What ever happened to Frusen Glase (spelling?)? That was something else I remember from my childhood.
NYminknit at 10:11AM on 07/20/07
This summer I've been choosing Vanilla Bean by Häagen-Dazs. It taste the best to me. With fresh strawberries, nothing beats it!
azchelle at 11:05AM on 07/20/07
I completely agree with Zach...my choice depends on the situation and also if the ice cream is being served with anything (cake, pie, fruit...you want to go with the pure, simple HD flavors). But, for me, there's nothing like shoveling down some Ben & Jerry's filled with "delicious crap" - although I tend to wallow in my fatness with ice cream in bed, not on the couch. Love Haagen-Dazs' Dulce, love Ben & Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk.
And a shoutout to Graeter's...this NY girl's life was changed once her roommate's parents in Columbus sent a shipment of the good stuff.
rebeccadiamond at 11:24AM on 07/20/07
I have to admit that the fact that Ben and Jerry's make such an effort to be good corporate citizens makes a huge difference to me, even if their positions are limited at this point because of their ownership by Unilever. Some of their flavors I really like (the cookie flavors and coconut almond fudge chip, for example, and chubby hubby is pretty addictive); others are just too ungepatchked.
Haagen Dazs is not as good as when I was growing up. Their dulce de leche is too sweet - though I'm glad they make it - and where's boysenberry sherbet?
emily20008 at 11:30AM on 07/20/07
I echo a lot of what is said here: Haagan Daz is more subtle, less fatty and less cloyingly sweet. I like Ben and Jerry and there ethos, but their ice cream is for stoners and little kids I think. And even if I've smoked up - I still favor the Haagan Daz although I do like B&J's coffee heathbar crunch and cherry garcia and there was a flavor called Rule Brittania a strawberry with chocolate covered shortbread that was good but it's discontinued. But again - all of it is a little too sweet and a little too fatty. It's also kind of gimmicky.
I do like some Ben and Jerry's it's true and appreciate their experimental bent, but in a pinch I'll choose the H. D.
Mischiefdish at 11:47AM on 07/20/07
In 1978 first Ben and Jerry's opened up across the street from the office building where my mother worked. My parents loved their ice cream and would even go to in in the winter when the temapture hovered around 20 below zero or colder in the evenings. They really wanted to keep that place in buisness til the summer. They still mourn the loss of Wavy Gravy but they're happy that New York Super Fudge Chunk and Phish Food are still around.
However I've noticed if they just want vanilla ice cream to serve with something else they will usually sever Haagan Daz.
missjess at 12:10PM on 07/20/07
Other than Cherry Garcia, Haagan Daz is the one for me
Rae729 at 12:20PM on 07/20/07
@NYminknit--I guess we're of the same generation: I, too, remember Fruzen Gladje, though I have no better sense of whether my remembered spelling matches the actual than you did. It was the first competitor to Haagen-Dazs that I recall, but I guess it didn't stand up to Haagen-Dazs's strongarming as well as Ben & Jerry's does.
My personal preference is for small boutique ice-cream shops (I'm looking at YOU, Dr. Mike's in Bethel CT!), but I confess that when it comes to sheer quotidian pleasure, I go for Ben & Jerry's every time. For years I was devoted to Cherry Garcia, but I've recently become enamored of Everything But The... which has the nature that appears to offend so many posters here: there's more stuff in it than there is ice cream. I don't care. English Toffee pieces AND Peanut Butter Cups?? Where do I sign!
But I agree that, when I just need a plain vanilla to set off something distinctive, I'll go with Haagen-Dazs. I don't actually like their flavors like Dulce de Leche, though, which is too sweet.
klg19 at 12:41PM on 07/20/07
Mmmmmmmmmmmm....ice cream.....my favorite food in the whole world! Oh, what was the question again? Who is better? Well, they both make ice cream, so both are winners in my book!
But, I feel I have to say the obvious, since no one else has. You can easily get the whole 'Ben and Jerry' feel with the high-quality taste of H&D by just taking plain H&D and mixing in all that other stuff on your own. Compromise, I say. Make ice cream, not war!
stareater at 1:56PM on 07/20/07
The fate of Frusen Gladje: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frusen_Gladje
NYminknit at 4:00PM on 07/20/07
curiously enough, i find both to be overly sweet, however, were i to choose, i would stick with Haagen Dazs.
i do, however, prefer to just make my own!
sassyradish at 4:39PM on 07/20/07
Haagen-Dazs. B&J's is great, but their flavors can be kind of overwhelming. I love the simple, pure flavors - H-D's rum raisin, I just can't stand how good it is!
Littlebluesiren at 4:51PM on 07/20/07
For the mix-ins and my love of chocolate and nuts, I go with Ben & Jerry's. I also appreciate the politics promoted in a B & J purchase despite the selling out that came about. That said, I am down for Haagen-Dazs's vanilla swiss almond and the chocolate and almond covered ice cream bars.
kathy in oakland at 5:28PM on 07/20/07
Has anybody tried the new H-D premium flavor, pomegranite choc chip? It's beyond ice cream!
kqrbob at 5:48PM on 07/20/07
I definitely think Haagen-Dazs is a much richer, more flavorful ice cream. Ben and Jerry's is good for the funky flavors. I think it is the difference between the New York Times and the NY Post. One is sophisticated, smoothe, and reaches all my senses, whereas the other is a fun lark.
Mich23 at 6:23PM on 07/20/07
Haagen-Dazs---I have never been disappointed in their flavors & creaminess. I wish I lived in an area that sold their new premium flavors.
JEP at 6:47PM on 07/20/07
Its easy to decide.
Try a pint of chocolate from each side one day
vanilla the next.
HD is without a doubt the better and IMHO one of the best examples of a mass produced food that is still super high quality.That said
I am still a sucker for B&J's chocolate fudge brownie
chameleonz at 12:31AM on 07/21/07
I love both, although I tend to avoid the more complicated Ben & Jerry flavors and go for Peanut Butter Cup or something with a cohesive theme. I also really like Tortoise Soup, because, mmm, cashews. I'm a New Englander at heart, always will be.
But Haagen Dazs has recently won my heart with Sticky Toffee Pudding. I never had the actual dessert until I moved to Canada, and then a year later it is made into an ice cream? um...Thank You.
wellred at 8:32AM on 07/21/07
Haagen Dazs. Absolutely. They have the best vanilla ice cream I have tried (and vanilla is generally never my first choice); what's more, their Sticky Toffee Pudding is incredible.
Marilyn at 9:10AM on 07/21/07
When I used to make a habit of eating a pint of B&J's at a time, it was always "Urban Jumble" (an almond/chocolate/coconut confection which has since been discontinued). Back then, something about HD didn't appeal to me.
Like most people posting, I like HD now for its purer flavor and texture -- but don't count me out of a pint of NY Super Fudge Chunk from B&J's in a pinch!
By the way, HD pomegranate chocolate chip is outrageous. I also tried the coconut sesame ginger concoction (another "premium flavor"), but was less-than-impressed.
Dominic
the zen kitchen
dvchurch at 11:46AM on 07/21/07
HD is far superior. Best mint chocolate chip, coffee, vanilla. It has the purest, most delicious flavors, all of which are super creamy. Mmm!!
sml253 at 3:39PM on 07/21/07
just because i have such a blast at the factory - i'll have to go with ben & jerrys.
ceforrester at 5:46PM on 07/21/07
Am I the only person who thinks HD ice cream to be too much? Too fatty, too sweet... but the raspberry sorbet on the other hand, good god.. I've been living off that stuff in the midst of this tropical heat.
B&J on the other hand is loads of fun, but I find myself only scooping out the fillings.
winny at 8:32AM on 07/22/07
I used love the simple HD flavors and savor it in small bits, never more than a few spoonfulls at a sitting. Almost everyone I know loves Cherry Garcia though and I can't stand it.
Now I just make my own that I like just as much.
digt at 3:04AM on 07/23/07
HD, HD, HD.... the whole spectrum from Rum Raisin to Vanilla Bean to "extra rich light" Dulce de Leche. Personal favorite is the discontinued Chocolate Turtle: chocolate with caramel and SALTY pecans. Damn that was good.
Now, i've heard that the B&J pistachio kicks butt for its whole and enormous pistachios, but I've yet to try it. And like the Cherry Garcia guy above, I think nothing on earth can compare to Chunky Monkey when it comes to a really brilliant combination.
Which leads me to HD's Black Walnut.... mmm. And then that leads me back to B&J's Oatmeal Cookie - a wonderful "junk" flavor.
And finally I finish up with B&J's recent (and discontinued?) most brillant flavor, simply because it was CHUNKLESS: Black & Tan. Boy, that was good - chocolate, malt, and stout ice creams with no other crap added. Anyone try that flavor and agree?
To choose one over the other for ever and ever, I'd still lose my bananas and go with Haagen Dazs.
tenacity at 11:52PM on 08/13/07
Well after reading everyone's comments- Im going to have to agree that its def based on where you are in your life and what your taste buds are craving.
Honestly- when I was a child- I hated Haagen Dazs. I found it too bland- no spice! no chucks! just....ice cream. Now- I love it. I love that creamy, fattiness that is haagen Dazs
But- Im also a college student. And we young people LOVE chucks in our ice cream. After a night of "fun" - you want super double chucky brownie whatever- basically everything in your mouth at once.
I whole heartingly agree that B&J is the ice cream one eats alone, at a girls night, or after a night of drinking while H.D is very much one to savor
BUT- The BEST ice cream I have ever had came from France, in the northern parts, around Rouen. I could see the cows sleeping off in the distance- I knew it was fresh. And nothing, nothing- can beat freshness.
Haagen Dazs strawberry- lovely
B&J Dublin Mudslide- please, the taste of Baileys with brownie and fudge swirl......beautiful
Although, in the end, its all ice cream therefore all good to me
Lizable2007 at 11:43PM on 08/14/07
I'm all about Haagen-Dazs myself! They have more interesting flavors. Truthfully, I've never had anything of Ben & Jerry's before.
justboycrazy at 1:19AM on 08/21/07
I love Haagen-Dazs's Caramel Cone ice cream! It's like tasting a sundae cone in an ice cream!
justboycrazy at 1:21AM on 08/21/07