Is Ben and Jerry’s really dairy-free?

Ben & Jerry’s is known for its indulgent, creamy ice cream flavors like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food. However, in recent years, they’ve expanded their offerings to include non-dairy flavors made with almond milk or sunflower butter instead of dairy. This allows lactose-intolerant customers or vegans to enjoy Ben & Jerry’s iconic ice cream. But are these non-dairy flavors really 100% dairy-free? Let’s take a closer look.

Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Lineup

Ben & Jerry’s currently offers 13 non-dairy flavors, including classics like Chunky Monkey and Chocolate Fudge Brownie made with almond milk instead of dairy. They use almond milk as the base and make sure the rest of the ingredients, like chocolate chips, brownies, and nuts, are also dairy-free. Here’s the full lineup of current non-dairy flavors:

Chunky Monkey Coconut Seven Layer Bar
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Chocolate Caramel Cluster Coffee Caramel Fudge
Cherry Garcia Coconut Seven Layer Bar
P.B. & Cookies Peanut Butter Half Baked
Milk & Cookies Strawberry Cheesecake

Some flavors are available in pints at grocery stores, while others are exclusive to Ben & Jerry’s shops.

Ingredients in Non-Dairy Ben & Jerry’s

To create a creamy texture without dairy, Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy ice creams are made with a blend of almond milk and sunflower lecithin. Almond milk provides the base while sunflower lecithin acts as an emulsifier to give it a thicker, smoother consistency.

According to Ben & Jerry’s website, their non-dairy flavors also contain:

– Almond butter or sunflower butter for richness and texture
– Cane sugar for sweetness
– Natural flavors derived from plants, fruits, vegetables, spices, etc.
– Fairtrade chocolate chips/chunks/swirls
– Cookies, brownies, fudge, or other mix-ins

The ingredients vary slightly for each flavor, but Ben & Jerry’s states that all ingredients are thoroughly reviewed to ensure they are 100% dairy-free.

How Ben & Jerry’s Makes Non-Dairy Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s has perfected the process of crafting creamy, non-dairy frozen desserts. Here are some key steps:

– Mills almonds into milk then combines it with sunflower lecithin and other natural stabilizers
– Adds sugar, almond or sunflower butter, and any other dairy-free ingredients
– Pasturizes the mixture to remove bacteria while preserving flavor
– Ages the ice cream base overnight so flavors can fully develop
– Churns the mixture in ice cream machines to attain desired texture and consistency
– Packs the finished ice cream into containers and stores frozen until distribution

By utilizing high-quality ingredients and closely monitoring the manufacturing process, Ben & Jerry’s claims they can achieve premium ice cream taste and texture without dairy.

Certifications for Non-Dairy Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy flavors are certified vegan by Vegan Action and carry the Certified Vegan logo. This verifies that a thorough review process was conducted by Vegan Action to ensure no animal products or byproducts are used throughout the supply chain and production.

Ben & Jerry’s also states their almond milk sources are certified by the Non-GMO project. This means the almonds used in their almond milk are not genetically modified.

However, it’s important to note that Ben & Jerry’s facilities are not dedicated allergen-free or dairy-free facilities. There is a chance of cross-contamination with milk since dairy-based flavors are produced on shared equipment. So people with severe dairy allergies need to be aware.

Comparison to Other Dairy-Free Ice Cream Brands

Ben & Jerry’s is not the only player in the non-dairy ice cream market. Here’s how their dairy-free lineup compares to some top competitors:

Ben & Jerry’s So Delicious Nada Moo
Bases Almond milk Coconut milk Coconut cream
Certifications Certified vegan Certified vegan Certified Paleo, gluten-free
Texture Creamy, dense Light, melty Thick, creamy
Flavor range 13 flavors Over 30 flavors 11 flavors

Compared to some competitors, Ben & Jerry’s has fewer dairy-free flavor choices but focuses on recreating their signature creamy texture and flavors using almond milk. Other brands like So Delicious and NadaMoo rely more on coconut products to achieve creamy vegan ice cream.

Cost of Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Pints

At grocery stores, a pint of Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice cream typically costs $4.99 – $5.99 depending on location. This is equal to or up to $1 more than a traditional dairy pint from Ben & Jerry’s.

Compared to other brands, a pint of So Delicious dairy-free ice cream averages around $4.79 while NadaMoo pints are usually $5.99 – $6.99. So while Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy offerings are competitively priced, they are not the most affordable option.

The higher price point reflects the higher-quality ingredients like almond milk, almond butter, and fair trade chocolate that Ben & Jerry’s uses in their non-dairy pints.

Nutrition Facts for Non-Dairy vs. Dairy Ben & Jerry’s

Here is a comparison of the nutrition facts for 1/2 cup servings of non-dairy Chocolate Fudge Brownie versus regular dairy Chocolate Fudge Brownie:

Nutrition Facts Dairy Non-dairy
Calories 260 280
Total Fat 14g 15g
Saturated Fat 9g 2.5g
Protein 3g 3g
Sugar 20g 24g
Calcium 10% DV 10% DV
Vitamin D 6% DV 0% DV

The dairy and non-dairy flavors have a similar calorie count and protein content. However, the non-dairy option has more added sugar, less saturated fat, and no vitamin D. The non-dairy pint also contains calcium, vitamin E, and iron fortification that is not found in the dairy version.

So the nutritional value is comparable, but not exactly equivalent due to ingredient differences.

Potential Allergens in Non-Dairy Ben & Jerry’s

Despite being dairy-free, Ben & Jerry’s non-dairy ice creams are not guaranteed allergen-free:

– Contains almonds: not safe for people with tree nut allergies

– Made on equipment shared with milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy: risk of cross-contact

– May contain traces of gluten from cookie dough or brownie chunks

Always carefully read the label since individual flavor ingredients can vary. People with food allergies should use caution and understand there may be a low risk of reaction.

Taste Test Reviews

Most reviews indicate you can expect a very similar taste and texture between the dairy and non-dairy versions. Here are some thoughts from bloggers who did side-by-side taste comparisons:

“The almond milk base was just as creamy. We honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the regular and dairy-free Chunky Monkey.” – Simple Vegan Blog

“While I could tell that the dairy-free brownie bits were a little different, the ice cream itself tasted exactly like the original Chocolate Fudge Brownie to me.” – Vegan News

“There was no icy or crumbly texture you sometimes get with dairy-free ice cream. If I didn’t know better, I would think it was regular ice cream.” – Toronto Vegan

However, some reviewers noted subtle differences like a slightly icier consistency or aftertaste from the almond milk. But most agreed the non-dairy versions live up to the original.

Reasons to Choose Non-Dairy Ben & Jerry’s

Here are some of the top reasons you may want to choose Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice cream over regular:

– You have lactose intolerance, milk allergy, or need a vegan option

– Want to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet

– Like the taste of almond milk ice creams

– Want to avoid hormones or antibiotics found in dairy

– Need a good source of vitamin E, iron, and calcium

– Appreciate Ben & Jerry’s commitment to ethical sourcing

– Want to support production of vegan products

For many ice cream lovers, the dairy-free versions deliver the indulgence they crave in a form they can enjoy guilt-free.

Reasons to Choose Dairy Ben & Jerry’s

On the other hand, here are some reasons you may prefer the dairy ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s:

– Prefer the creamy texture and fullness of milkfat
– Want to consume probiotics found in dairy
– Need vitamin D that dairy provides
– Don’t have allergies or diet restrictions for dairy
– Like flavors that aren’t available dairy-free yet
– Appreciate the lower price point
– Don’t mind hormones or antibiotics in dairy

While the dairy-free options aim to mimic the classics, some argue the original dairy-based versions provide an irreplaceable creaminess and sensory experience.

Ben & Jerry’s Plans for the Future

Ben & Jerry’s remains committed to growing its dairy-free offerings and making them more accessible. In 2021, they rolled out two new almond milk flavors, Mint Chocolate Chance and Strawberry Frosting Froyo, exclusively at Walmart stores.

They are working on expanding their non-dairy range as well as availability in more grocery locations and scoop shops. International fans may eventually get to try flavors like Non-Dairy Cherry Garcia as distribution ramps up.

The company also states they want to continuously improve the recipe, texture, and taste to make their dairy-free lineup indistinguishable from the originals. Exciting things are ahead as they innovate with different bases like oat milk.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice creams live up to their reputation. For most fans, the non-dairy versions offer a near identical, indulgent experience with a creamy texture and authentic flavors. The almond milk pints provide a smart solution for ice cream lovers who need or prefer to avoid dairy.

However, those with severe allergies need to be aware of potential cross-contamination. And some may still detect subtle differences from the original dairy-based product. Overall, Ben & Jerry’s is leading the way in proving that ice cream doesn’t require cow’s milk to taste amazing.

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