Midgen wrote:
I have no idea how Ben and Jerry's ice cream is made, or where it fits on the Quality scale.
My perception of the brand (which is solidified by this thread) is that they are more about gimmicks than they are about making good ice cream.
Honestly, their 'cheap gimmicks' are more a marketing strategy for their super premium ice cream.
To be labeled 'ice cream' and not 'ice milk' or 'frozen dairy dessert' a product is required to have at least 10% butterfat. Most ice cream sticks between 10-12%; B&J is at 16%, which accounts for some of the price difference (butterfat is expensive). And then there's the 'overrun' which is the percentage of air that's whipped into the ice cream during churning. Breyers has nearly 100% overrun, meaning a scoop is half ice cream and half air. B&J has about 25%, giving it a richer, colder mouthfeel. Yes, you pay more. But you're getting more product in the same size container.
ALTHOUGH.... some people like the fluffier, softer, sweeter, faster melting non-premium ice creams. More power to ya if you're one of them, you even get a lower-fat product!