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As the popularity of pistachios continues to grow, fans of this nut are looking to experience its savory bite in the form of many different products, including their Starbucks coffees, their Dubai chocolate bars, and even their Shake Shack milkshakes. They’re also hunting down pistachio ice cream in the grocery aisle, where many brands have put out their own versions of the flavor.
In an effort to narrow down the list of options, Tasting Table ranked eight pistachio ice cream brands and determined that while Häagen-Dazs was the best, Van Leeuwen should be avoided at all costs. While Van Leeuwen is known for its unique flavor options, like its Mac & Cheese collaboration with Kraft and its unexpected pizza option, its pistachio flavor missed the mark in terms of both flavor and texture.
Our reviewer, who set out to find a creamy ice cream that still let its pistachios shine through, found that this ice cream wasn’t as rich and velvety as they hoped. In fact, despite it being labeled “French Ice Cream” due to the abundance of eggs included in its recipe, it was the taste of egg yolk, rather than an improved texture, that took center stage. Even the taste of Van Leeuwen’s pistachios, which boast a certification by the National Slow Food Institute, wasn’t enjoyable.
Customers describe Van Leeuwen’s Sicilian Pistachio Ice Cream as the worst
On Amazon, where Van Leeuwen’s Sicilian Pistachio Ice Cream is available for $7.99 for a 14-ounce serving, it has a 4.3 out of 5 rating, with many reviewers stating that it was the “worst” pistachio ice cream they’d had. “It tasted like a salt container had been dumped into it,” one person complained, adding that the lack of actual pistachios was equally disappointing. Another admitted to thinking the product had “gone bad” before they tasted it.
Over on Reddit, similar sentiments were expressed as one user noted that the pistachio flavor was barely recognizable. “Not enough pistachio is criminal,” they shared. “Were there any pistachios in it? I didn’t see any, and I need chunks in mine like the Ben and Jerry’s,” someone else agreed. Another commenter expressed disgust with the overly salty bite this product offered. “What I didn’t like was the surprise saltiness of this ice cream,” they explained.
So, if you have a craving for pistachio ice cream, walk right past Van Leeuwen’s and pick up a better option, like Häagen-Dazs. As our reviewer explained, “Its flavor is rich, the ice cream is perfectly creamy rather than icy, and the inclusion of roasted and salted pistachios gives both a texture and taste that leaves you wanting to go back for more.”
