Vanilla Ice Cream, 1 PT

Found in the supermarket freezer aisle or in the back of a home freezer, this pint of Ben & Jerry's vanilla is the go-to indulgence for scooping straight into a bowl or topping a warm dessert. It reads as comforting and nostalgic — a simple classic flavor — but its silky, shelf-stable texture and long list of stabilizers point to industrial processing. The use of gums and syrup-like liquid sugar suggests formulations designed for consistent mouthfeel and storage rather than a purely homemade ingredient list.