I Scream, U Scream...

We all scream for ice cream - CHOCOLATE ice-cream that is! For this round of tastings, we had one of the biggest turnouts so the results, I would say, are even more "accurate." Tasters were to bring plain milk chocolate with no extra add-ins.

Contestants:
A) Kroger's Private Selection
B) HEB Creamy Creations
C) Dreyer's Rich & Creamy
D) Sheer Bliss
E) Whole Foods Purely Decadent (w/ coconut milk)
F) Haagen Dazs
G) Kroger Deluxe
H) Blue Bell
I) Marble Slab

Criteria:
Texture/Creaminess, Richness, Appearance, Taste (Sweetness), and ICF (can't stop eating)


After gathering around a large round table like the knights of Camelot, armed with our eating utensils, and lots and lots and lots of smacking - here are our results...

Coming in first place is:
1st - Kroger Private Select $2.69
2nd- Dreyer's $2.99
3rd - Haagen Dazs $2.99
4th - Blue Bell $3.50

Coming in LAST place is:
9th - Sheer Bliss $5.99 (was said to have very little chocolate taste and the LOWEST score)
8th - Purely Decadent $4.89 (Many disliked the coconut flavor which was too overpowering and diluted the chocolaty taste)
7th - Marble Slab $5.50 (this one was a surprise!)

SALSA

After doing many taste tests in the past, we thought it would be a good idea to actually record our findings so we don't forget what we decided was the best six months later. After doing taste tests for hot cocoa, break and bake chocolate chip cookies, and cupcakes, we thought that we should change it up and do something savory!

Contestants:
A) Arriba! Fire Roasted Garlic & Cilantro Salsa (Medium)
B) Randall's brand Safeway Select Southwest Salsa (Mild)
C) Wholly Salsa (Mild)
D) Pace Picante (Mild)
E) HEB Fresher Lasting Salsa (Hot)

Criteria:
Appearance, Consistency, Mildness, Smell, and Taste

Judges & their Results in order from Best to Worst:
Vampire Girl
Safeway, Wholly, Pace, HEB, Arriba!
"The Arriba! was nasty! That's all I gotta say." (just this particular flavor was really bad)

Cocolady
Pace, Safeway, HEB, Wholly, Arriba!
"I 2nd Vampire Girl... and Wholly was repulsive!"

Karebear
Safeway, Pace, HEB, Arriba!, Wholly
"It's the silent killer." (in response to the overwhelming content of corn)

Ms. R
Safeway, Pace, HEB, Wholly, Arriba!
"Wholly lacks flavor and the Safeway was slightly minty and sweet."

EZ Boy
Safeway, Pace, Arriba!, HEB, Wholly
"This smells like soy sauce!" (in response to smelling the Arriba!)

OVERALL Winner: Randall's Safeway Select Southwest Salsa

L-R: Best to worst in the salsa taste test.

What's YOUR favorite salsa? Let us know in the comments!