Is Costco Maven’s Durian Ice Cream worth trying? In my experience, Maven’s durian ice cream taste is highly unpleasant and may not be to everyone’s liking.
As a connoisseur of unique and exotic fruits, I am intrigued by Maven’s Durian Ice Cream. Its distinct characteristics and flavors, including the strong durian taste, pique my curiosity. I aim to provide an honest and unbiased review to help you decide if this is a flavor adventure you’d like to embark on.
Other items from Costco that I like include: Costco Kellogg’s Eggo Homestyle Waffles Review, Costco Universal Bakery Strawberry Belgian Waffles Review, Costco Schwartz Brothers Bakery Organic Everything Bagel Chips, Minh Mini Chicken Egg Rolls Review , Costco David’s Cookies Butter Pecan Meltaways Review, Costco Universal Bakery Traditional Aussie Bites Review Costco Vita Coco Coconut Water Review, and Costco Sugar Bowl Bakery Petite Palmiers Review
Costco Maven’s Durian Ice Cream
Taste Test
As I took my first bite of Maven’s durian ice cream, I was immediately overwhelmed by the taste. It was highly unpleasant, like eating a lot of rotting garlic and onions. The stench of durian completely dominated the ice cream, making it impossible to detect any other flavors.
Some people suggest that durian has a hint of banana, but despite my best efforts, I couldn’t find any trace of it in this ice cream. The disgusting taste made it hard to believe anyone could compare it to banana ice cream. The overpowering and revolting flavor of the durian was too much to bear.
Ingredients Analysis
The ingredient list for Maven’s durian ice cream includes Pasteurized Milk and cream, Durian, Cane Sugar, Whey, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, and Beta Carotene (Color). It contains milk and is processed using milk, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and eggs.
I am concerned about ice cream’s common ingredients, especially thickeners like locust bean and guar gum. Many ice cream companies use these thickeners, negatively affecting the texture, making it less creamy and more artificial.
There are exceptions, such as Häagen-Dazs, which avoids thickeners and uses a more straightforward ingredient list. It’s disappointing that many brands still choose these texture-modifying agents. Consumers looking for a more authentic ice cream experience should seek out brands that prioritize quality over convenience.
Nutrition Analysis
Each container of Maven’s durian ice cream provides three servings. The ice cream contains 220 calories per serving, 14 grams of fat, and 7 grams of saturated fat. Other nutritional aspects include:
- 45 milligrams of cholesterol.
- 70 milligrams of sodium.
- 23 grams of carbohydrates.
- 1 gram of fiber.
- 16 grams of sugar.
- Eleven grams of added sugar.
Each serving of Maven’s Durian Ice Cream offers 3 grams of protein and small amounts of essential nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium. While these nutritional aspects are not exceptional, they are reassuring for those seeking a balanced treatment.
Convenience
Maven’s Durian Ice Cream packaging includes two pints, similar to Häagen-Dazs containers. Each pint is labeled for individual sale, making it suitable for resale in shops. The package features a UPC barcode for easy scanning, which is convenient for retail. This thoughtful packaging design enhances the product’s convenience and usability.
Each pint is sealed with plastic to keep the ice cream fresh. However, the plastic seal lacks a peel tab, making removing it tricky. Despite this minor inconvenience, the packaging is practical for personal and resale use.
Price Analysis
At $16.89 for two pints, Maven’s Durian Ice Cream is a significant investment. However, considering the use of natural durian pulp, this price might be justified for fans of this exotic fruit. When evaluating the cost, it’s essential to consider the unique flavor and the small container size.
I bought the ice cream on May 20th, 2024, and the best-by date is December 15th, 2024, showing a decent shelf life. While the cost is high, this analysis needs to deeply examine whether it’s good value for money, leaving consumers to judge the quality of ingredients against the price.
Video Summary
Review Score
- Taste: 3/10
- Ingredients: 4/10
- Nutrition: 4/10
- Price: 3/10
- Overall: 3/10
Maven’s durian ice cream has several areas for improvement, including taste and price. The strong durian flavor might be too much for most people, and thickeners negatively affect the texture. While its nutritional profile is standard, the high cost for such a niche product reduces its appeal. The experience could be better, making it a good choice only for the most dedicated durian fans.
Overall
Avoid!
In summary, despite using natural durian pulp, Maven’s durian ice cream must improve in several critical areas. The taste is overwhelming and off-putting, and the texture suffers due to thickeners. This makes it hard to enjoy. The high cost compared to the quality and portion size reduces its value. While durian fans might like the intense flavor, most consumers will likely find it unappealing.
Have you ever tried durian ice cream before?
What was your experience like, and did you enjoy it?
Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
What is durian, and why is its flavor so strong?
Durian is a tropical fruit known for its distinctive and often polarizing taste and smell. The flavor is unique and intense, usually described as a mix of sweet and savory with hints of almonds, cheese, and garlic. The pungent odor can be off-putting to some, but it’s a delicacy in many Southeast Asian countries.
Is Maven’s durian ice cream suitable for people with food allergies?
Maven’s durian ice cream contains milk and is processed in a facility that handles tree nuts, soy, wheat, and eggs. If you have allergies to any of these ingredients, you should avoid this ice cream to prevent allergic reactions.
Where can I buy Maven’s durian ice cream?
Maven’s durian ice cream is available at Costco, both in-store and online, depending on your location. It may also be available in select specialty grocery stores with exotic and imported products.
How should I store Maven’s durian ice cream, and what is its shelf life?
Maven’s durian ice cream should be stored in the freezer at a consistent temperature. According to the packaging, its best-by date is approximately seven months from the purchase date, provided it remains unopened and properly stored.
Are there any alternatives to Maven’s durian ice cream?
Yes, alternatives are available for those who wish to explore different brands. Some options include durian ice creams from Southeast Asian brands and other specialty ice cream makers. These may offer varying levels of durian flavor intensity and ingredient quality.
How does Maven’s durian ice cream compare to other durian products?
Maven’s Durian Ice Cream, with its overpowering taste and the use of thickeners affecting texture, may not be the best representation of durian products. However, it does offer a distinct experience for those who appreciate the intense flavor of durian. Consumers interested in trying durian for the first time might prefer starting with fresh durian fruit or other durian-based snacks, such as durian candies and cakes, to get a more balanced introduction.
Does Maven’s durian ice cream contain artificial flavorings or preservatives?
The ingredient list does not include artificial flavorings or preservatives beyond the natural components and common thickeners like locust bean gum and guar gum. However, if you prefer entirely natural products, you may need to look for brands explicitly stating no artificial additives.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that this review is independent and unbiased. The product was purchased by Costcoverdict solely for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed here belong solely to Costcoverdict and do not reflect any affiliation with Costco or its suppliers. Should Costcoverdict ever receive compensation from a product manufacturer or any other third party, full disclosure will be provided, including instances where a product sample was provided for review purposes
