Edited by Natalie Tamma and Samia Orva
Häagen-Dazs, renowned for its premium ingredients and rich flavors, originated in the Bronx in November 1976. Since then, it has ascended in the ice cream industry, distributing packaged pints in local grocery stores and establishing multiple city-wide stores — its Fresh Meadows location is the most accessible to Townsend students via the Q17 near Queens College. With a diverse range of flavors, from classics to innovative creations, Häagen-Dazs is the perfect treat to cool down from the heat. I highly recommend the following ice cream flavors if you are looking for a refreshing and satisfying indulgence.
The Matcha Green Tea ice cream offers a delicate balance, with a subtle yet distinctive flavor that compliments the creamy base. With a velvety texture, it melts seamlessly in your mouth, delivering a satisfyingly sweet experience. Unlike many matcha beverages which can lean towards bitterness when not correctly made, this ice cream achieves a well balanced blend, making it a 9/10. Häagen-Dazs skillfully balances the sweetness in its matcha, preserving its authentic flavor while capturing the umami essence of Japanese cuisine. The only downside is the ice cream’s uniform texture because it lacks the added bits and pieces found in the other flavors listed below.
Caramel Cone holds a special place in my heart as one of my top choices, offering a divine caramel ice cream experience. While sharing similarities with the Dulce De Leche ice cream flavor, it distinguishes itself with the addition of crunchy cone pieces nestled within. Häagen-Dazs sets itself apart through their unwavering attention to detail, which can be exemplified by their practice of coating half of the cones with rich chocolate and providing consumers with a generous amount in the ice cream. This guarantees that every bite delights taste buds, providing the ideal crunch that beautifully complements the caramel tones throughout the ice cream, which is why it deserves a 10/10.
Their strawberry ice cream, though seemingly a straightforward flavor, carries a classic charm to it. The inclusion of natural, whole strawberries becomes evident as subtle seeds and occasional chunks sprinkle the mixture, enhancing its fresh taste without changing the texture of the ice cream. Unlike numerous alternatives, Häagen-Dazs’ strawberries offer a soft texture and don’t feel weird to bite into, all without being excessively sweet, making it a strong 10/10.
Making chocolate chip cookies, an essential indulgence in life, always results in me devouring half the dough as I eagerly wait for the first batch to be baked. This masterpiece of a flavor seamlessly integrates soft, buttery morsels of cookie dough and an ample amount of decadent chocolate chips in the ice cream. The renowned vanilla base further unifies all the different flavors and textures, providing a pleasant experience to consumers. Häagen-Dazs provides the perfect solution for savoring the comforting taste of cookies without the effort of baking. I would give it a 9/10 only because I find it to be a bit on the sweeter side.
Among my top weird food combinations, Häagen-Dazs’ Cookies and Cream ice cream and spicy chips such as Takis, rank as my favorite. With each scoop, I found an abundant scattering of cookies in every pint, which offers a lovely hint of chocolate. Considering that these cookies presented a softer texture compared to those found in other ice cream brands, I’d give it a solid 9/10 — a point off due to the sweetness, once again.
Vanilla, a timeless classic flavor, usually fulfills my craving for ice cream. However, the Vanilla Bean ice cream didn’t quite meet my expectations. The taste leaned toward bitterness, overpowering the expected creaminess and richness of vanilla, giving it a rating of 2/10. I found Häagen-Dazs’ regular vanilla ice cream to be more satisfying because it maintained the vanilla essence while still delivering a more balanced flavor.
Occasionally overpriced, but worth every dollar, Häagen-Dazs is a 9.5/10 and stands as my preferred ice cream brand. Its commitment to high quality and use of simple ingredients sets Häagen-Dazs apart as a brand that always hits the mark.
