Haagen-Daz Five Ginger aka Heaven in a Tub

Almost as much as I love mango I love ginger. It’s true. My love for ginger may not have had the opportunity to make itself known as that for mango but ginger is also a great weakness of mine. I can’t seem to pass up any drink, candy, biscuits, or meals that heavily feature either mangoes or ginger unless of course it is with a blend of berries. No can do berries.

So imagine my delight when I felt myself gravitated to the ice-cream aisle at the grocery store last week to see that it a was a new brand of ice-cream calling my name.

Haagen-Dazs Five in Ginger flavour. First of all, the concept of just five ingredients felt pure. Milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and flavour (ginger in this case). No artificial colour, no sweeteners, no emulsifiers, no nothing. The tub itself looked pure just really clean.

So I bought it. It actually stayed in the freezer for a couple of days before I decided to try it. I scooped out 2 small balls. Let’s see. First, it was the cooling temperature as the spoon hit my tongue. You see, it was the April heat wave that had drawn me to the freezer. Then, it was the creamy sensation as I swirled the ice-cream over my tongue. The burst of flavour caught me off guard. Hmmm! Another try. Cold … And there it was again. The flavour. MMMMMMMMMMMMM! I think I’m going to like this, I said to myself as I made myself comfortable with my bowl. As I continued to savour the flavour my bowl was soon empty. So what’s a gal to do? Get the tub, of course, it’s not like I have anyone to share it with!

Went out on the balcony, sat in the sun, and continued to become one with my tub of Haagen-Daz Five Ginger. MMM! MMM! MMM! The tub did make it back into the freezer, but that was only so I could have a few more teaspoons on another day thereby creating a sense of discipline. After all, I didn’t exactly finish it in one sitting.

It was creamy. It was sweet. It tasted like ginger. But more like gingerbread man ginger than like McVites gingernut biscuit ginger. Like spiced eggnog ginger and not ginger-root ginger. But it was good! It was clean. It was crisp. It treated me good. I felt loved! I was warmed by the ginger caressing me and arresting my senses. Oh wait, that could have been the 90F sun that I was sitting in. Either way, this ginger ice-cream, though mild was good! It could have done with more of a kick, more spice, maybe some little bits of real ginger for intense flavour. Eh! But it was delicious.

I think I’ve found a new favourite ice-cream. When the tub was finally empty (the following morning), I studied its nutrition facts. I was surprised to see that it was “low-fat”. I typically shy away from fake fat, fake oil, and fake sugar goods. If I’m going to eat naughty, give it to me all naughty!

But, at 230 calories & 12 g fat per 1/2 cup serving (compared to 270 calories & 18 g for the regular Haagen Dazs Vanilla) it’s still devilish. I mean, my main-stay ice-cream is Breyers All Natural Natural Vanilla with real vanilla bean, and that rings in at 130 calories & 7 g fat per 1/2 cup serving. And may I also say that it too has a very clean list of ingredients – milk, cream, sugar, natural vanilla flavor & natural tara gum (whatever that is!).

With these and Edy’s Whole Fruit Creamy Coconut, and Edy’s Whole Fruit Lime fruit bars I am so ready for summer.

Bring it on!!!