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Tracing Roots Frozen in Time but failed to mention an important addition; salt. Adding Discovering Timeless Classics, Heroes of the Past
salt or saltpeter to the ice surrounding the ice cream base
Historian Mary Miley Theobald, writes in the The was a modern development that enabled mixtures to be these connections Ever wondered what makes an ice cream classic? It’s
Colonial Williamsburg Journal that according to popular frozen solid due to its endothermic reaction causing the not just the flavor that counts but also the story behind it.
belief ice cream first originated in China, though little freezing temperature of water to become colder. through our taste Classic flavors often have a history of their own, ones that
reliable research has been done on the subject. Historical Prior to this discovery, mankind’s experience with span many generations which is why they remain so cher-
evidence from the seventh century mentions a frozen milk ices came in semi-frozen drinks like Persian sherbet which buds is part of ished to this day.
product and another description of frozen milk survives was made by whisking ice shavings or snow into sugar One of the oldest classic flavors of ice cream is va-
from the twelfth century. Even more concretely, there were syrup and citrus juice. This gave Western ice cream flavors the joy of life. nilla. Its rich aroma and recognizable taste make it one of
reports of ice cream being served at the Mogul court during an Eastern influence with rosewater, orange-flower blossom the most beloved ice creams in existence. Vanilla’s pop-
the fourteenth century. and fragrant citrus are amongst the most popular. ularity today stems from its use as a flavoring for cakes
It is thought that knowledge of how to freeze things by The 18th century is regarded as a very popular time and pies as well as its addition to milkshakes and other
using salt and ice was spread overland along the Silk Road for ice cream due to the variety of flavors available in creamy drinks like frappes.
routes from China through the Middle East and into Italy, fashionable London parlors. Chocolate, pistachio, pineap- Evidently, it has been around for such a long time
giving rise to this beloved treat. The origins of ice cream in ple, jasmine, artichoke, candied pumpkin, pine nut, pear that it has been inextricably linked to important moments
Europe can be traced back to 1665 when Lady Anne Fan- and chestnut were just some of the creative flavors that in our lives. At the end of the day, our senses evoke emo-
shawe, the wife of Sir Richard, Charles II’s ambassador to customers could enjoy at this time. tions and memories that make us feel comforted and
Spain, wrote a handwritten recipe for “To make Icy Cream”. A century later, cookbooks of the time gave us a happy. This is exactly why we still enjoy a scoop of vanil-
This recipe suggested the use of fashionable ingredi- glimpse into what flavors were available to the general la ice cream on days when we’re feeling nostalgic or
ents at the time such as ambergris and orange-flower water public. Ice cream recipes such as vanilla cream, raspberry simply need something comforting.
cream, citron cream, and peach cream from Mary Ran- Then again there are some flavors and styles of ice
dolph’s The Virginia Housewife cookbook (1828) reveals cream that were popular back in the day and have since
the popularity of fruit flavors and shows that custards were The 1940s brought about the invention of soft-serve been forgotten. Old ice cream recipes such as Baked Alas-
becoming increasingly popular. Back then, chocolate flavor ice cream from Tom Carvel’s broken-down ice cream truck ka, a 19th-century creation of meringue and sponge cake
was the exception, not the rule, unlike today. Even when which proved to be an instant hit. During the 1950s, pine- encasing vanilla ice cream which is then dusted with toast-
it was available, most period ice creams were flavored with apple was added to various desserts including chocolate and ed meringue and placed in the oven for a few minutes could
fruit as it was more readily available. raspberry flavors as well as sherbets thanks to the fascination be one of them.
with Hawaii and Polynesia culture at the time. Butter pecan Baked Alaska is an intriguing subject of food evolution
A Journey Through Popular Global Flavors ice cream became popular in the 1960s as did mint chocolate and culinary folklore, with various origin stories being de-
chip in the 1970s thanks to the royal family. Cherry Garcia bated amongst food historians. This classic dessert was most
Slowly but surely, ice cream started becoming part of ice cream was created in the 1980s by Ben & Jerry’s and fashionable during the mid-20th century, when its charm-
the different cultures around the world, each culture em- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough arrived in the 1990s. Cake ingly feminine look mirrored the pastel fashion aesthetic of
bracing its flavors and styles. The U.S. was one part of the batter and salted caramel revolutionized the 2000s, bringing the time. Sadly, ice cream pies soon gave way to other des-
world that took the classic flavors and gave them an Amer- sweet and savory together in a delicious combination. serts in the 1960s such as red velvet cake and black forest
ican twist. Let’s have a quick look at the most popular Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Asian ice cake, causing Baked Alaska to become a seldom-seen dish.
flavors of the past century in the West. cream makers have taken traditional flavors to a whole new In Turkey, on the other hand, if you walk the streets
In the early 1900s, Neapolitan ice cream was all the level with flavors like black sesame, red beans, pandan, of Istiklal, the most famous street in Istanbul, you’ll find
rage in the U.S.. The classic combination of chocolate, va- green tea, lychee, plum wine, tamarind, and more. In addi- ice cream vendors dressed in traditional garb serving up
nilla, and strawberry was pressed into one block and served tion to these flavors, more modern ones such as cookies Marač ice cream in a fun way. Marač ice cream has a his-
as one dessert. Not only that, but this decade saw the in- and cream, strawberry cheesecake, and birthday cake are tory of three hundred years, and it is at the heart of the
vention of the beloved ice cream cone. Moving on to the also being enjoyed. From snow ice with boba to rolled ice region’s tradition.
1910s, fruit sherbet became a popular palate cleanser for cream and pastel-colored mochi, Asian ice cream flavors The vendors provide a link to the old-fashioned ways
dinner parties. This water-based treat often had fruit juice, are becoming increasingly popular all over the world. of doing things as they dress in their regional costumes and
and liqueurs added to it for flavor and sweetness. With so many different flavors and textures available, perform modern tricks while serving up their signature
The 1920s brought about Rocky Road ice cream which it’s no wonder why ice cream has been around for centuries. delicacy. They use a unique set of techniques to perform
was invented by William Dreyer and Joseph Edy during the However, the competition is strong and the market for this an entertaining show while you wait for your scoop. You
Great Depression to bring joy to their customers. The unique beloved treat continues to evolve as fast as the preferences will have to play a game with the vendor, in which they will
blend of marshmallow bits, and chopped almonds mixed of the people who eat it. Some ice cream creations have tease and trick you with their moves in order to make sure
with chocolate ice cream left a lasting impression on many. stood the test of time and will remain a favorite for years you have fun while working for your cone. This is just one
The 1930s saw the return of rum raisin ice cream, a combi- to come, some of the newer creations will undoubtedly example of a region that has created its own unique creation
nation of rum-soaked Málaga raisins and vanilla gelato. This become classics in their own right and there are also some which has stood the test of time by offering an experience
flavor has been revived over the decades since then. forgotten creations that are waiting to be rediscovered. that brings together past and present.

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