Elizabeth Hait, AOL

Tuesday, June 7 is officially National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, so the KitchenDaily editors decided to put 13 different brands of chocolate ice cream to the taste test to determine who makes the best.

After a round of testing among the KitchenDaily editors, we did another blind taste test with our co-workers here at AOL. More than 20 people showed up to determine which brands were the best and worst. The editors rated each brand on a scale of one to five for texture and chocolate flavor. Then we asked our coworkers to rank their favorite and least favorite brands from one to five. The top pick for each category received five points, the second four points, the third three points and so on. The highest score for each category translated to the worst and best choices.

In the end, we came up with one overall winner and loser.

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Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Fourth Runner-Up: Blue Bell
Creamy (1-5): 5
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 4
Final score (out of a possible 100): 21
Editor comments: "Has a rich, dark chocolate flavor that tastes homemade." "This ice cream is extremely creamy and smooth."
Our panel says: "Had a great flavor and texture." "Was thick and creamy just like something you'd get at an old time creamery."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Third Runner-Up: Häagen Dazs
Creamy (1-5): 4
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 5
Final score (out of a possible 100): 22
Editor comments: "It's like I'm breaking off a piece of chocolate on a bar and eating it, it's extreme chocolate." "Classic milk chocolate -- this would be my choice for a decadent milkshake."
Our panel says: "The perfect chocolate flavor and consistency."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Second Runner-Up: Turkey Hill
Creamy (1-5): 4
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 5
Final score (out of a possible 100): 28
Editor comments: "This one has one of the best consistencies -- creamy, smooth and thick." "One of the first milk chocolate ice creams that didn't leave a bad aftertaste in my mouth. This ice cream is perfect for an ice cream sandwich or malt."
Our panel says: "Had a fudgy texture and flavor." "If I closed my eyes I could picture myself eating a brownie."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

First Runner-Up: Trader Joe's
Creamy (1-5): 4
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 5
Final score (out of a possible 100): 42
Editor comments: "Unlike some of the others, this ice cream has a dark chocolate flavor instead of milk chocolate. It's rich and on the bitter side." "A bitter chocolate -- it's more like a frozen hot chocolate I would drink over and over again."
Our panel says: "This ice cream is not lacking in flavor -- one of the strongest chocolates I've ever tasted." "A complex ice cream, it started out bitter, but finished so smoothly."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Overall Winner: Friendly's
Creamy (1-5): 5
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 5
Final score (out of a possible 100): 50
Editor comments: "The best of both worlds, this ice cream is rich and smooth. The chocolate is in between a milk and dark, which will appeal to more audiences." "One of the creamiest ice creams I've ever had -- this would create the ultimate sundae."
Our panel says: "Had a great flavor and texture; it was creamy and not in-your-face chocolate." "It was creamy, smooth and a chocolate lovers dream."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Fifth Worst: Adirondack Creamery
Creamy (1-5): 2
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 2
Final score (out of a possible 100): 24
Editor comments: "Gritty. I don't want my ice cream to taste like I was just in a sandbox." "Extremely artificial -- I couldn't even go back for another small bite."
Our panel says: "Extremely bland." "Plain ice cream should not be crunchy."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Fourth Worst: America's Choice
Creamy (1-5): 0
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 1
Final score (out of a possible 100): 43
Editor comments: "This one had a chalky texture." "There was no hint of chocolate flavor, maybe a slight caramel flavor, but not in a good way. It was like they burned the cacao beans."
Our panel says: "Fake and grimy. Grimy and ice cream should never be put together."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Third Worst: Blue Bunny
Creamy (1-5): 0
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 1
Final score (out of a possible 100): 44
Editor comments: "I almost spit this out." "I wouldn't call this chocolate or ice cream."
Our panel says: "It had an odd, almost crystallized texture and an artificial chocolate flavor." "Odd flavoring, there's no way this ice cream is all natural."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Second Worst: Ben & Jerry's
Creamy (1-5): 3
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 1
Final score (out of a possible 100): 45
Editor comments: "This was extremely disappointing -- while it was creamy, it didn't taste like chocolate at all." "It needed a fish or a swirl as in Ben & Jerry's Phish Food or Half Baked."
Our panel says: "Unremarkable." "Their ice cream is much better with mix-ins."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test

Overall Worst: Best Yet
Creamy (1-5): 1
Chocolate flavor (1-5): 0
Final score (out of a possible 100): 51
Editor comments: "Besides being the most artificial ice cream I've ever tasted, it actually left me thirsty." "This has a terrible aftertaste."
Our panel says: "It was like I just ate a scoop of flour."

Chocolate Ice Cream Taste Test