'They Taste Like Playdoh': These Frozen Costco Treats Leave Customers Disappointed

Although older generations may mourn the loss of certain nostalgic ice cream treats, the freezer aisle always seems to have something new and trendy to take their place. Plenty of these viral treats come from Aiko Garden, a Chinese brand that has made a name for itself through its fruit-shaped ice cream novelties. While many of Aiko Garden's products are larger, individually packaged frozen treats, the company has also created a "Fruits Bucket" featuring mini versions of its standalone products, packaged together in a cardboard container. They're available in four-packs at Costco for roughly $10.50 (though prices may vary by location).

Inside every bucket, you'll find an assortment of 12 bite-sized fruit shapes – peach, banana, mango, strawberry, blueberry, and grape – each filled with its respective ice cream flavor under a white chocolate coating. Unfortunately, despite the visual appeal, this product largely seems to be a bit of a letdown for customers. In the comments of one Instagram Reel, disappointed shoppers compare the taste to everything from Play-Doh to soap to medicine. As one savvy shopper points out, just because it goes viral doesn't mean it's good. Several people compare the fruit bucket contents to plastic, with some calling to check the ingredients. While several items on the list are familiar, like water, sugar, and fruit puree, they're joined by food dyes, artificial flavoring, palm oil, and other ingredients some customers avoid.

Aiko Garden Fruits Buckets are among many Asian-inspired snacks you can get at Costco. (The store has also stocked other Asian-inspired ice cream novelties, like Hi-Chew pops — which were received more positively, but had limited availability.) The good news is, the Fruits Bucket price is pretty reasonable if you're curious enough to try it despite the mixed reviews. With a four-pack, the average $10.50 price equates to about $2.60 per bucket. It's a good thing Costco keeps prices relatively low; online shoppers claim they've found the frozen dessert at other outlets for quite a bit more. One commenter even said their local mall was charging $30 per bucket.

For a more positive "viral" ice cream experience, you may want to opt for one of Aiko Garden's standalone fruits, or a brand that makes similar products, like Hong Qi. You'll still get a fruit-shaped ice cream experience, but the consensus seems to be that the full-size treats are better overall — perhaps because the ice cream-to-coating ratio is higher. The larger fruits may cost more, but considering some people couldn't even finish the Costco Fruits Buckets, it might be worth a shot. On the other hand, it's hard to argue with the customers who recommend eschewing the pull of virality altogether and getting back to the basics: by eating actual fruit.