So what is the history of this delightful treat? There is actually no known inventor of ice cream however, according to PBS, Some say Marco Polo brought it back from his travels to the Far East. Others say that Catherine de Medici introduced it to France when she relocated to marry King Henry II. Neither tale is likely to be true, though both are romantic. In fact, ice cream has a much more ancient history.
According to PBS and National Today tells us that the Bible indicates that King Solomon enjoyed iced drinks during the harvest season. And during the Roman Empire, Caesar would send people to gather snow from the mountains, just to cover it in fruit and juices. It has also been said that ice cream-like food was first consumed in China sometime between 618-97 AD. The first dish was made from flour, buffalo milk, and camphor, an organic compound commonly used in lotion. It’s also been noted that Alexander the Great adored ice and snow that was flavored with nectar and honey.
It is assumed that this recipe developed into what we now know as ice cream which was once called ‘‘Cream Ice.’ It was in 1660 that the general public was presented with ice cream. An Italian man named Francesco Procopio Dei Coltelli decided to perfect a machine made by his fisherman grandfather which produced top-quality gelato in his café. The recipe blended milk, butter, eggs, and cream and was sold in Paris.
The first mention of ice cream in the United States derives from a letter written in Maryland in 1744 by Governor William Bladen’s guest. Then, the New York Gazette on May 12, 1777, printed the first advert for ice cream in the United States. Following the American Revolution, ice cream became extremely popular in the US.
Since then, ice cream has exploded onto the dessert scene. Well-known brands like ‘‘Ben and Jerry’s’’ and ‘‘Haagen-Dazs’’ are classics that we still consume to this day. July is a great choice for National Ice Cream Month because it is also one of the best ways to beat the heat of summer!
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