Haagen-Dazs Reserve Line
Has anyone else tried the new flavors from Haagen-Dazs? http://www.haagen-dazs.com/reserve/in...
I got a kit with two pints each of the Lehua Honey and the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle flavors and a box of 3 Pomegranate and Dark Chocolate bars. All very tasty! I'm generally not a fan of fruit and chocolate together, but the bars were really tasty. The slight bitterness of the pomegranate went well with the chocolate.
The honey ice cream was pretty good. It's very creamy and has swirls of honey in it. It's incredibly rich and sweet. Very tasty, but I'm not sure I would buy it.
However, I would (and will!) definitely buy the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle. I think it is very likely the best ice cream I've ever had. I said this to the friend I was sharing these with and he seemed to think I was exaggerating. Then he tried it and said the same thing. The flavors are amazing and go so well together. I would buy this flavor even if it cost twice as much as other pints.
The "flavor notes" and wine pairings on the website are pretty hilarious, but this is seriously good ice cream.
maillard
Mar 30, 2007 10:01AM
Haven't tried them, but as a side note, wasn't that Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle flavor one of the contest flavors from last year... Food Network profiled the contest held for a new flavor. Sticky Toffee Pudding was the winner, but I certainly remember a blonde woman making Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle (possibly with a hint of lime) inspired by her travels to Thailand. Think they ripped it off of her entirely, or that possibly she signed a waiver, or they paid her for it, or she might sue them? I find this odd and conspicuous...
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This one has a bit of ginger, not lime, but it does seem like it's the same thing. No idea what the story behind that is. It looks like they're having another contest flavor right now. http://scoop.haagen-dazs.com/
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It's possible I dreamed up the lime, but I think it might add an interesting twist anyhoo ;) Still wonder the deal there, but I guess I'm just nosy.
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usually when you submit a recipe to a contest, you sign off on any rights to it, even if you don't win.
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Good point, but if I were her, I'd still be peeved, at least w/ zero recognition given... I'm silly, but it would have been "nice" if they'd said at the least "inspired by contest finalist..." I know, dream on, right?
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nice, it would have been. Guess that's just 'business' these days. sigh.
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I have personally tasted both the Haagen Dazs produced version as well as the original recipe from Amber herself (yes, she was the hottie blonde on the Food Network Show). Although, HD's version is still amazing, the original would absolutely blow you away. The HD version has a little too much ginger, but otherwise, it is still something I can inhale by the pint. I may be biased, but I do feel that HD ripped her off by not giving her credit. But, she did sign her rights away at the beginning of the contest. She did write the story under the lid, though. I thought the winner (Sticky Toffee Pudding) was terrible - way too sweet!. Amber finally got a little justice. Her recipe truly was the best, but they told her it was also the most expensive to make, and that is why she really didn't win. I think HD learned their lesson. No plans yet to release Canolli, which I also think is a travesty. I also think it is odd that TCSB is still not available in Phoenix - where Amber lives!!!
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I think they paid her for it. I didn't see the competition the first time around on FN, but I caught part of it when it was replayed over the summer. I fell asleep or got distracted and didn't see the winner, but then I saw the Coconut Sesame Brittle in the store one day (that store didn't have the Sticky Toffee Pudding). I thought the Coconut Sesame Brittle had won. I can't imagine that they could have just had the recipe without compensating her in some way, though.
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Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle sounds fantastic. I hope I see it on a shelf in Toronto sometime soon (or maybe not!).
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Toronto doesnt seem to get any good Haagen Dazs flavours =(
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Too true. I was excited that we got the Sticky Toffee pudding because at least it's new, but turns out that is one boring flavour.
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i'm a little surprised they're offering two pomegranate flavors, altho they both sound interesting. the real surprise to me is the amazon valley choclate...sounds like a renamed mayan chocolate with the addition of a hint of heat, but basically the same flavor. not that i'd mind, i really liked the mayan chocolate and was never easy to find.
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I don't think they're really offering two pomegranate flavors, more than they have a pint version and a bar version of the pomegranate/chocolate flavor.
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"Seriously good ice cream" is an understatement! I'm afraid to have this stuff in the house for fear it will be gone in an hour!
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It really is, but I couldn't think of words big enough to describe how tasty it is! :)
Is the reserve line in stores now or did you get yours in the mail as well? Which flavor(s) did you try?
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I tried the acai berry sorbet last night and was not amazed. Should've gotten the chocolate.
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Well comming from the creator of the flavor itself (completeley unbiased of course), my personal recipe is the best but Haagen Dazs did a pritty damn good job! No, sadly I didn't get any credit on the carton but the story under the lid is true! And yes they did give me a little kick back! You definitely do have to sign away any rights when you enter a contest like that but NO ONE has my original recipe! Keep on eating!!!!!
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can i ask, what was the kickback?? (free haagen dazs for life? it wouldnt really cost them much anyway, cheap, but oh so good compensation)...i was really impressed with the flavor combo. i am dying to try it. maybe it the asian genes that make me crave ice cream like that. too bad i cant find it here! i keep looking in the freezer every time i pass the section in the grocery store. alas it has been in vain. may i ask, how do you make the brittle?? it sounds divine!
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You are my idol! Although I can't get the ice cream here in Canada I will look for it next time I'm down south. Please tell us all about your experience if you can. Congratulations!
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had never heard of it (any of the lines) but saw them in the grocery store 2 days ago and though i rarely buy ice cream had to try one of each flavor.
the coconut sesame one is great. good job! i'd bet their's is sweeter than yours and that i would have liked yours even better.
and i love the pomegranate chocolate chip. will buy freakish amounts of that.
thought the sweet cream honey was interesting. very sweet - i wanted to cut the flavor with something but still not bad. they literally all taste like you could serve them at a party or almost a restaurant. i was impressed. am looking forward to the acai sorbet even if others didn't like it.
would highly recommend trying them if you can find them.
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My problem with the acai berry sorbet is not the flavor, it's the gritty texture from all the seeds. Yuck. I took a couple bites, and now it sits deep in the freezer waiting for me to think of some way to use it. Perhaps in a blended drink?
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Personally, I just don't like the acai flavor of anything.
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despite what the hagen daaz website said about where the reserve line will be availalbe...i found it right here in south jersey at the wawa. the pomegrnate chip is very nice but i was expecting to be overwhelmed, and wasn't. don't get me wwrong, it's not something i won't or wouldn't eat believe me, it just didn't blow me away.
tonight at another wawa i saw cinnamon dulce de leche..that was not listed as a reserve line flavor, and i was very sorely tempted...but i better finish what's in the freezer before i add to the collection. the flavor i am most interested in, and now am hopeful it too will surface locally is the amzon valley chocolate...i absolutely loved their mayan chocolate and have really high hopes for this variety.
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ooh. If they released the toasted coconut brittle then hopefully they may release the delicious sounding cannoli ice cream. That ice cream flavor sounded so good, when I was watching the special I was torn between wanting coconut and the cannoli to win but then they choose the toffee pudding, which I tried and was overly sweet and otherwise uninteresting.
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oh boy was the sticky toffee too saccharine... the chewy pieces were drunken, but not in a good way.
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I was on a "must have ice cream" kick last week and ended-up splurging on the Sticky Toffee (had been looking for the B&J Colbert's Americone Dream, to no avail *sigh*) - took two bites and shoved it back into my freezer - too sweet and one-dimensional and just didn't do a darn thing for me. Now I'm torn between tossing it (thereby making room for something else, but wasting foods, which goes against everything I believe in) or waiting for a roomie to eat it (not very likely - they either eat chocolate or fruit) or eating it myself so I don't have to waste it.
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You could do secret option number 3... make a milkshake using the ice cream, as the milk will "water" down the flavor. If it doesn't dilute it enough, you could also throw the sticky toffee, milk, and som vanilla ice cream in for a shake.
You could also experiment with that muffin recipe that calls for flour and ice cream. I have no previous experience with it, but you could give it a go... Sticky Toffee Muffins?
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wow...sticky toffee muffins...i am gunna have to look into this one. i have tried the toffee kind and while i agree it is one diminsional, i really liked the base. did it deserve to win? no....its way too boring. It was yummy, but not something that deserved a grand prize, espcially considering its competion. i think HD sold out to the masses when it selected this flavor (most midwesterners i know would not be enticed to try a cannoli ice cream.lol heck half of them dont even know what that is. However the sticky toffee base tasted like frozen whip cream. (!) now this isnt saying much because i grew up on walmart brand ice cream and while some friends swear by the more expensive brands--blue bell ect, i never really got it. yes, it was a step above but i was perfectly content with my lower butterfat pretender. yeah, blue bunny and edys might have "cooler" mixins, but i could add my own pb cups, toasted coconut ect, at home. (sidenote: i do like breyers because it tastes "clean" (thanks to all the natural ingredients) if thats possible, however, i never craved it) however i picked up a hagen dasz on a whim and WOW could i taste the difference. i am kinda eager to do a vanilla taste test...do all the HD ice creams taste like frozen whipped cream? or is the sticky toffee super sweet. (i have a jaded sweet tooth...to much mcdonalds and cheap candy bars growing up....it takes a lot of sugar to satisfy this tooth). i like archrival ben and jerrys for the different flavors but i never really thought to myself "wow, this tastes just like frozen whip cream...bjs definately has its place but if i want to feel sophisticated, and healthier (LOL what a joke) i like HD. Really, all this was to say that i finally feel that i found a brand that justifies the higher price because i could REALLY taste a difference in the ice cream itself and i was not just buying a clever name/weird mixins/lets save the earth message
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Americone is at Fairway (I go to the one in Redhook). It's good. Could be more interesting than it is, maybe some kind of nut added to it or something. I know it's for kids, but I love Fossil Fuel. fayefood.com
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The Cinnamon Dulce de Leche flavor is awesome! Get it!
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After looking in 5 different stores (Bristol Farms, Ralphs, Trader Joe's, and a Haagen Dasz store) I finally found the reserve line at Gelson's in L.A. and bought the coveted Coconut Sesame flavor. It's good, but in my mind, just a tad too sweet. I'd like it with more ginger, less coconut. I might try making a version this summer.
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FYI Pavillions always has them all... their ice cream selection is always hefty, even B & J too!
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Thanks for the tip! I had no trouble finding the reserve line at my local Albertson's. Got both the honey and the sesame one.
Honey and cream was way too sweet, and not very unique. I'd take a good dulce de leches instead.
Sesame has an interesting flavor, and I like it better than the honey. But the flavor doesn't pop enough. I actually would like even more ginger, or maybe a touch of another flavor - salty, sour, etc. to round it out more. Good but not good enough for me to buy again. Still like my local Dr. Bob's better.
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I did not like the HD pomegrante ice cream at all, too bitter and gave me a bad after taste.
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i tried the Cinnamon Dulce De Leche and the Aztec Valley Chocolate tonight....imho the dulce de leche rocked! cinnamon was subtle but definitely there under the caramel flavor...really delicious,
the aztec was a little disappointining, altho it's said to have a hint of the heat of chili, not one of the four of us tasting it could find it. the chocolate flavor was quite good, and VERY similar to the mayan chocolate sans the cinnamon. in the long run i think the mayan outshone the aztec for it's outstanding comination of the dark chocolate flavor graced with the note of cinnamon.....the aztec by comparisson was just chocolate ice cream.
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I have to agree with spinach here..I just had the cinnamon dulce de leche ice cream from HD last night. It was out of this world delicious! Not sure if they are selling it in pints in the stores, but the HD shop in The Venetian in Las Vegas had it. SO GOOD!
But...the gelato place in the hotel has an even -better- cinnamon gelato that's to die for!!
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I saw the Reserve collection at my local supermarket the other day (Pavilions), and bought the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle. It is good! I think the amount of ginger is just right, subtle and not overpowering but you definitely know it's there. And the toasted coconut and sesame crunch is very nice. Also, not too sweet overall.
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Man, I am totally excited to try this flavor now but they don't have it in my area yet. I'm sooo disappointed!
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I tried some a few days ago. It's a very good flavor. I still think Cinnamon Dulce de Leche is the very best Haagen-Dazs ice cream I've had, though.
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I tried the Pomegranate Chip after reading this thread... meh. It tasted like a regular raspberry chip ice cream, nothing special. I should have known, though... the only "pomegranate-flavored" item out there that actually tastes like pomegranate to me is Polar Springs Pomegranate Seltzer.
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I'm going to have to get me some of the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle this weekend when my boyfriend is out of town.
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Does anyone know where in Manhattan they are selling the reserve line?
The haagan daaz website only lists "NYC Suburbs." I wonder if that means there are none in the city.
I've got to give the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle flavor a try, it sounds really good.
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I got some at a Met food in Brooklyn -- maybe the manhattan branches have it too? I haven't been wowed by any of these flavors so far.
The pomegranite chip was odd -- I wasn't crazy about the flavor combination and the chocolate just didn't pop. The coconut was better and more interesting, but really too sweet. It gets cloying after a few bites.
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The convenience store on the corner of 9th and 2nd has it, so clearly, some stores in Manhattan have it.
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At the urging of a friend, I bought the Hawaiian Lehua Honey and Sweet Cream last week as well as a pint of the Amazon Valley Chocolate. Though my friend loves the honey and cream flavor, I found it overly sweet, and my niece quite accurately, I thought, described it as tasting somewhat sour, like yogurt. The AVC is very intense, not overly sweet--so the two flavors together balanced each other pretty well. I found it ok, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again (esp. with the reserve lines' higher prices.)
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re price: bought some for 4.99 at my local Vons today
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Brazilian Acai Berry Sorbet
Haagen Daz Flavor Notes:
"The nutritious and complex Açai (ah-sigh-EE) berry offers this tantalizing sorbet notes of sweet blueberries, wild blackberries and a hint of grape, all delivered through a velvety, pear-like texture"
rworange flavor notes:
Should be pronounced ick-ee. The blueberry flavor predominates ... like blueberries that died ... then decomposed. Course gritty texture.
Acai isn't an easy fruit to love at its best. It is gritty, though I can see the pear description being a polite way of saying that. Usually it has a prune-like flavor. They put too much acai in it. It should have been an ice cream not a sorbet. The cream would have toned things down.
On the website these reserve flavors have suggested wine/food pairings. For the acai they suggest gorgonzla and lambrusco. I think I'll do that with the rest that is left. Hopefully the gorgonzola will overpower the acai taste ... and if not ... if I drink enough lambrusco I wont care ...
Oh yeah ... not recommended.
http://www.haagen-dazs.com/reserve/ba...
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"rworange flavor notes:
Should be pronounced ick-ee."
LOL! I may save my $5.49 (what they're charging for the Reserve Line at the convenience store in my neighborhood that carries it).
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Truly ... save the money. The gorgonzola and lambrusco did nothing to help this. It is $4.99 and based on the flavor I tried and many of the other comments in this post I have no desire to try another flavor. For all the flavors that were too sweet, this wasn't sweet. It also had a weird tea-like taste too it.
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I found the Lehua Honey way too sweet and creamy. I know that sounds strange, but it was really excessive to me, and I won't be having it again.
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I agree ...
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I entered the contest this year. Yes, you do waive all your rights away when you enter. I got in the top 10, but not the top 3. Top 10's are still on the Haagen-daaz website. My flavor was Cafe Mocha Biscotti Crunch, so if you see it in the stores at some point in the future... well I'll be just one more person who gets no glory. :) It was fun though and I will probably enter again next year. I haven't seen the pomegranate chocolate bars - that sounds great. Also, I will try the coconut sesame brittle. It sounds awesome.
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Cafe Mocha Biscotti Crunch? That sounds delicious!
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