Deep dive: Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla vs Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla

Note 1: Posting an old draft: got these two flavors at the same time as Ben and Jerry’s Bossin’ Cream Pie and Blue Bell Cookies and Cream Cone (review) about a month or two ago.

BLUE BELL – HOMEMADE VANILLA. Most popular flavor from Texas brand that sells regionally in 23 states. Blue Bell started selling butter and ice cream in 1907 and switched to ice cream only in 1960s. The Homemade Vanilla flavor was developed in 1969, and the brand claims to be the first to mass produce a “homemade style”ice cream.

Description from website:

Our most popular ice cream and with good reason. It’s rich, homemade-tasting vanilla ice cream with a special hand-cranked flavor that’s the best in the country.

• “Rich” – Not in texture. But flavor?Amber vanilla just like the ice cream’s color (think “old-fashioned,” a hint of butterscotch). Medium milk fat. Has a bready finish reminiscent of Joy Ice Cream Cup cones (think the ice cream cup McDonald’s uses). A deep, malted, kid-friendly vanilla (not boozey or alcoholic).
• “Home-made tasting,” “hand-cranked”- I don’t know what homemade or hand-cranked tastes like, but I expected a denser ice cream. This ice cream is moderately airy, dissolves instantly in the mouth like a foam. A unique contrast to its darker vanilla flavor. Reminds me of the sensation of a soda float.
• Would I repurchase: Yes! While I don’t actually think the ice cream quality is premium level (better economy or mid-tier), the vanilla flavor delivers in that while the ice cream dissolves quickly, the flavor lingers. The large 64oz/1.89L size would also be great at a party for all ages. And probably makes a killer soda float. It’s not premium but it’s a crowd pleaser.
• Rating – 8/10. A vanilla you can eat by itself.
• Note: don’t pay $100 for shipping. The ice cream is good but not THAT good. Also, the two flavors I tried have melted quickly.

BEN AND JERRY’s – VANILLA. The very first flavor developed by Vermont brand which began in 1978, was acquired by Unilever in 2000, and sells ice cream nationwide and in 33 countries. Fun fact: co-founder Ben Cohen has anosmia, giving him “no sense of smell and very little sense of taste.” The website states this as a reason for the plentiful textures and big chunks which now define the brand.

Description from website:

When you dig into this pint, you’ll find a rich, creamy Vanilla that’s more vanilla-tasting than any Vanilla you’ve ever tasted.
* “Rich” – Absolutely in texture and density. Melts slowly in the mouth. Carton also significantly heavier (less air) than same size 473mL/16oz pint Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla. Flavor wise? More mild, pure and clean, and milky like Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.
* “Creamy” – Quite a dense ice cream, you’ll need a metal spoon (vs plastic) or even a fork. But very high in milk fat as it tastes like premium milk such as Organic Valley whole milk. Coats the tongue in a luxurious way.
* “More vanilla-tasting than any Vanilla you’ve ever tasted” – satisfactory, pleasant vanilla, that is more notable for tasting like excellent whole milk with the a yummy mouth feel and a great finish (extended taste) than blowing my mind with vanilla flavor. If you’ve had a vanilla bean flavor from Haagen Dazs then you’ve probably had this vanilla flavor.
* Would I repurchase: yes. Actually a lot of ice cream for a pint as it’s so dense. I would probably be just as likely to buy a Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino or Organic Valley milk, depending which is on sale!
* Rating – 8/10. The densest ice cream and highest milk fat I’ve tasted. Any more would be butter!

Which do I prefer:
* Give me both! Very different flavor profiles. Homemade Vanilla is old-fashioned flavor, malted but airy in texture. Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla is mild vanilla bean flavor, rich in milk fat, a mild, slow eating experience. Do I want custard vanilla soft serve on a Fourth of July weekend, or do I want to want to watch a movie and chill?

Note 2: I have since tried Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean since writing this review (below), and I think it’s a very good contender for best vanilla flavor. I’ll rate it higher but perhaps I like it equally as much as both vanilla flavors here.

Other recommendations:
* Haagen Dazs – Vanilla Bean. Stronger vanilla flavor than Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla, airier, sweeter. Similar strength vanilla flavor as Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla, but a much different vanilla flavor profile: clean, pure, fragrant. Denser. People recommend Blue Bell for old style vanilla flavor and Haagen Dazs for vanilla bean flavor, and I think that’s correct. 8.5/10.
* Kroger’s Private Selection – Double Vanilla. A mild but boozey vanilla flavor that tastes like vanilla extract. Good density and creaminess. I gave 6.5/10 because I wanted more boozey flavor. Was that fair? Perhaps it deserves 7/10. Available in pints and quart.
* Tillamook – Marionberry Pie. A very good vanilla base, pure and clean like Ben & Jerry’s vanilla. Has Marionberry (blackberry/raspberry) purée mix in but Tillamook is inconsistent with their mix ins so you may just get mostly vanilla! Quart size. 8/10