Forget Haagen-Dazs! Coles $6.50 ice cream won over premium brands in Aussie’s biggest taste test

When it comes to ice cream, most people assume that the pricier the tub, the better the taste.

But what if the ultimate vanilla experience didn’t come from a luxury brand at all?

A recent nationwide taste test has revealed that one of the cheapest supermarket options outperformed even the most expensive names on the market.

Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group, CHOICE, conducted a blind test of 25 vanilla ice creams from major brands—and the results stunned dessert lovers everywhere.

Only four contenders achieved the 80 per cent benchmark needed for a recommendation, and the clear winner wasn’t a premium import or boutique creation.

Coles Irresistible Vanilla Bean, priced at just $6.50, emerged as the champion, earning praise for its ‘creamy texture’, ‘pleasant vanilla aroma’, and visible vanilla seeds that gave it an authentic touch.

The testing method that set the standard

CHOICE’s evaluation was far from a casual taste test.

Experts used a precise scoring system: 40 per cent flavour, 30 per cent texture, 20 per cent appearance, and 10 per cent aroma.

Each sample was tasted blind in random order, ensuring no brand bias influenced the results.

This approach mirrors global food critic standards, where vanilla is the ultimate test of quality—because it’s the simplest flavour and leaves nowhere to hide flaws.

The budget brands that beat the rest

Aldi’s Indulge Vanilla Bean Gourmet Ice Cream, at $5.99 per litre, secured second place thanks to its ‘pleasant mild vanilla aroma’ and ‘great balance in flavour and fat’.

Judges described it as ‘a very pleasant ice cream’ with a ‘creamy nice mouthfeel’.

Third place went to Norco Cape Byron Ultimate Vanilla, costing $10 per litre, celebrated for its ‘strong vanilla aroma’ and ‘smooth, no iciness in texture’.

Experts called it a ‘very nice standard typical vanilla ice cream’.

Even Woolworths’ Vanilla Bean Indulgent Ice Cream, priced at $6.50 per litre, achieved recommended status for its ‘balanced vanilla flavour’ and ‘good texture with vanilla bean seeds evident’.

When expensive doesn’t mean exceptional

Surprisingly, the luxury labels underdelivered.

Brands like Bulla, Connoisseur, Elato, Haagen-Dazs, Pana Organic, and Sara Lee—often seen as indulgent favourites—failed to impress the judges.

The biggest shock came from Haagen-Dazs Vanilla, which costs $13.50 for 457ml but scored just 54 per cent, landing a full 37 points below the Coles winner.

That means shoppers are paying nearly three times more for a product that performs far worse.

What separates creamy perfection from a disappointing scoop

The secret to great ice cream lies partly in its fat content, which determines how smooth and rich it feels.

Premium options usually contain between 14 and 16 per cent fat, while standard ones hover around 10 to 12 per cent.

However, high fat alone isn’t enough to guarantee success—several cheap options failed because of ‘icy texture’, ‘watery’ consistency, or overly ‘sweet artificial flavours’.

The winners, on the other hand, nailed the balance.

They offered real vanilla flavour, a creamy mouthfeel, and a smooth texture free of ice crystals.

The real vanilla difference

Many of the best-performing tubs featured visible vanilla bean specks—an indicator of genuine vanilla extract rather than artificial flavouring.

Vanilla beans are the second most expensive spice in the world, which is why some brands cut corners.

Even organic options weren’t immune to criticism.

Pana Organic’s Vanilla Bean variety fell flat because the ‘coconut presence overbears on the vanilla’, despite having seeds visible in the mix.

Smart shopping strategies for ice cream lovers

Even within the same brand, results can vary drastically.

Norco’s Cape Byron Ultimate performed brilliantly, but its Classic Vanilla scored among the lowest.

This highlights how product lines differ—sometimes dramatically—in quality and formulation.

In the end, CHOICE’s testing proves that indulgence doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag.

Whether you’re stocking the freezer for summer or craving a simple dessert, Australia’s best vanilla ice cream might just be waiting in your supermarket freezer aisle.

If you enjoy finding great value in everyday treats, this story about supermarket ice cream shows how price doesn’t always reflect quality.

But food savings don’t stop at dessert—many shoppers are discovering clever ways to stretch their grocery budgets even further.

Here’s another story that reveals a simple trick helping shoppers spend less without sacrificing their favourite items.

Read more: Shoppers reveal clever trick to cut weekly supermarket costs

Have you tried any of these top-rated vanilla ice creams yourself—or do you still swear by the premium tubs?