Haagen-Dazs Disappointment

Dear Haagen-Dazs,

I applaud you for the copy printed inside the lid:
“We began more than 40 years ago with 3 flavors, and it took us six years to develop a fourth. That’s the patient and uncompromising approach we’ve taken to every new product we’ve crafted every since.

I like the language but I wonder how true it can be with such an explosion of variety – and knowing that a steady pipeline of new varieties is key to keep folks interested. Not sure this language belongs on expected seasonal introductions, which seem more opportunistic. Perhaps better suited to more classic and proven flavors. Am I one of only 8% who actually read the inner lid?

I was drawn in to the new variety, sticky toffee pudding variety due to the 90 degree sign on the freezer door at a nearby Safeway. Too bad they don’t carry the flavor featured on the sign. Admittedly, I had not purchased HD in a while and was not aware of many of their flavors. I was still searching for the Ben & Jerry variety of “Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream” – and frustrated in not finding it. Yeah, I know, probably a short term variety – but even in the past month, the sexy Stephen Colbert was eating it on the show. Made me want him, oops I mean the ice cream, even more.

In considering a 2nd choice variety (Man, I was really motivated to buy that Sticky Toffee Pudding variety), I settled on Banana Split. I was hoping it would be HD’s version of Chunky Monkey, but soon realized it would capture the component flavors of a banana split. Despite the enticing name, I must give it a thumbs down. Maybe too many flavors vying for attention at once. I barely got any sort of banana taste – and chunks would have been nice. Very little chocolate. And waaaay too much cherry flavor. I predict lousy repeat and short life cycle.

FGo1