Article archived: September 2010
Is there anyone who doesn't like ice cream, sorbet or gelato? Although ice cream is traditionally thought of as a mixture of cream, milk, a sweetener and some flavor, history indicates its origins were more similar to fruit ices or sherbets. Since making ice cream requires shaking or constantly stirring the ingredients while maintaining a cold temperature, ice was an important part of the production and influenced the history of the product.
At one point, ice cream was food for the rich or people with never-ending sources of ice. Iced desserts were made by hand and involved putting a smaller bowl filled with the basic ingredients inside a larger bowl filled with ice; in some cases, snow. History notes that Emperor Nero had his subjects carrying snow from the Alps to ancient Rome to satisfy his need for this treat. Nero was likely to be served a frozen fruit pulp with honey as a sweetener, but some form of milk entered the picture in other concoctions.
As early as the fourth century B. C., ancient cultures enjoyed the forerunners of ice cream using their local ingredients. The ancient Chinese included ingredients such as rice and milk, while Persia and Turkey used combinations of sweets, milk and fruit similar to sherbet. Surviving the test of history, iced dessert was served in French courts to kings, and was brought to the newly forming United States of America, where it grew in popularity.
In America, some of the history of ice cream is traced through records of official dinners by governors and presidents — like Governor Bladen of Maryland, who served ice cream at an official dinner in 1700. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both served ice cream during state dinners.
We have known ice cream as "frozen custard" (the term was originally associated with a creamy combination that included eggs), as ice milk and frozen yogurt and as sherbet — in flavors that range from basic vanilla and chocolate (still the top two favorite flavors) to gourmet combinations with unusual ingredients. Today at the supermarket, we find gelato (a creamy dessert with less air and a rich texture) mixed in with a large assortment of iced desserts that vary in flavor, fat content and sweeteners.
Ice cream trivia
Here are some ice cream facts (or fancies) you might want to use as trivia as you share ice cream with friends.
- 1744 — The Oxford English Dictionary is reported to have referenced strawberry ice cream. And recipes began to appear in early cookbooks, including one published in 1751: The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy.
- 1776 — The first ice cream parlor opened in New York City.
- 1812 — First Lady Dolly Madison served ice cream at the White House at the second inaugural ball.
- 1843 (September 9) — Nancy Johnson registered a patent for the first hand-cranked ice cream maker in the United States, producing a smoother product that was easier to make.
- 1851 — The first ice cream factory was opened by Jacob Fussell of Baltimore. Located in Seven Valleys in Pennsylvania, the plant was relocated to Baltimore, but Fussell continued to serve as an advisor to others who wanted to get into the business of mass-producing ice cream.
- 1903/1904 — Ice cream cones made their way into history.
- Italo Marchiony sold homemade ice cream from a pushcart on Wall Street in New York. He patented an edible cone in 1903 as a way to reduce the cost of lost or broken serving dishes.
- At about the same time, the ice cream cone made its way to the World's Fair in St. Louis. The cornucopia shape was an answer to delivering ice cream to hungry fair goers.
- 1990's and ongoing — "Healthy" foods hit the ice cream market with a growing demand for lower fat varieties, varying sugar contents, alternative sweeteners and other choices. Along with dairy-based ice cream, it is possible to find soy and rice milk products, which allow people with allergies and intolerances to enjoy some form of frozen dessert. But, there is continued interest in super premium products with higher fat content...another indication that ice cream in its many forms is a survivor that follows the trends!
