Haagen-Dazs is continuing their onslaught of gelato products. This stodgy old brand continues to command a remarkable amount of shelf space, skating by on their name recognition and reputation built on what their products represented years ago. They are able to defend their shelf space against the competition by throwing their weight around with distributors and leveraging their expertise in the science of marketing.
At over $1 per bar on sale, these beautifully packaged and decorated novelties look like an attempt to introduce something new and exciting while providing a boost to the brand’s profit margins. Surprisingly, the “dark chocolate and vegetable oil coating” is the best part. Complete with “dazzle” (see label).
The flavor of the tiramisu gelato is off, tasting like coffee that was sugared and creamed with Coffeemate by a teenage girl. The lack of a ladyfinger element confuses the issue on whether this is tiramisu or some version of an affogato encased in thick casing of dark chocolate.
If I wanted chocolate, I’d buy a nice, high quality chocolate bar. These bars are not worth the 270 calories and 17g of fat. Without the cocoa ladyfinger pieces found in the pint version, which I don't love either, this is even further off the mark for me.
Where Elliot Found It: Dierberg’s Markets
Elliot's Grade: C