I'm also a HD loyalist. My local upscale supermarket stocks many different brands of "artisinal" ice creams, some of which cost 2 or more times what HD does, but the difference is all in the ingredients. HD has several varieties, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and coffee, that each have about 5 ingredients such as milk, cream, sugar, eggs and strawberries. Most importantly, no artificial stabilizers or thickeners like guar gum, xanthan gum or carrageenan. That's why the HD tastes so dense and creamy, and why it tends to freeze much harder than other brands. Compare ingredients next time you're in the store.