Haagen-Dazs: Round 3

With Diahan back in town, we are ready to continue our Movement for Informed Ice Cream Eaters (MIICE).

This week we have experienced the agony and the ecstasy; we have weathered ice cream sorrow in order to better experience its joy.

If you were worried that we might just give a 3 or 4 rating to just about every flavor (after all, it is premium ice cream), well, how about a little range and perspective?

This much needed perspective is courtesy of a true epicurean delight - and its antithesis. It is a red letter day, indeed.

(Of course, should you disagree with any of our pronouncements, please detail your findings in the comments section - or your own blog - in double spaced, compare and contrast structure. Please cite your sources.)

With the authority vested in us by the power of Google (owner of Blogspot), we declare the following gastronomic benchmarks:

Rum Raisin

Presentation: Standard yellow colored ice cream with ABUNDANT raisins. It is very difficult to avoid the raisins.

Flavor Intensity: The ice cream has an immediate alcohol and rum flavor - which we like. Though, as quickly as the liqueur flavor arrives, it gives way to a strong rum fullness - finishing with a creamy "night cap." This flavor, however, is certainly not that of the Butter Rum Life Savers. Rather, it has a similar alcohol "burn" to that of the Bailey's Irish Cream. Spoiling it all are the unavoidable rum soaked raisins. Frankly, they taste like Windex. (And who hasn't tasted Windex?) All is lost.

Sweetness: Not too sweet. Has a definite "bite" to it.

Texture: Regular ice cream consistency with heinous, soggy raisins.

Scraping the Bottom: 0 - 20% chance of finishing the container.

Overall Rating of 1 - 5: Without raisins: Diahan 3, Jared 3. As is, with raisins: Diahan 0, Jared 0

Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle (Reserve Flavor)

Presentation: French vanilla type coloring with brown toasted coconut pieces and sesame brittle evenly scattered about. Every bite is loaded.

Flavor Intensity: What a complex treat! It is to be nibbled, savored and unabashedly inhaled. Never has an ice cream flavor presented so many levels of unique and complementary flavors. (Is that too complimentary?) Diahan says "fireworks." A few more adjectives: sweet, nutty and warm. The coconut is creamy (picture a toasted piña colada) and sesame is pervasive. Topping it off is the warmth of ginger infused throughout - refreshing, but not sinus clearing. We counted at least 5 distinct flavors - an amazing feat. A masterpiece.

Sweetness: Deep savory flavoring. Umami (more on that in a future post).

Texture: Coconut chewiness, candy brittle crunchiness and sesame seeds.

Scraping the Bottom: 100% chance of finishing the container.

Overall Rating of 1 - 5: Diahan 5, Jared 5