The History of Ice Cream By Jesus Solórzano

Introduction Ice cream is loved by people all over the world. Today, it is enjoyed in many different ways, such as bars, sandwiches, and fun flavors. But how did it all begin? Who was the first to taste this tasty treat, and how did it evolve throughout the years?

Emperor Nero of Rome Possibly the first person to eat ice cream was Emperor Nero of Rome. He was bored of the desserts that were around at the time, so he sent some of his slaves to create something new for him. They fetched snow, plant nectar, honey, and fruit.

The Recipes The first people to use salt in their ice cream recipes to lower the temperature are unknown (but they were likely from China). However, we do know that this discovery was made around the 13 th Century. Marco Polo brought an ice cream recipe from China to Italy that used milk. When Italian Catherine de Medici married a future king of France, she introduced him to the first ice cream recipe using actual cream. Ice cream was later served to King Charles II of England, who supposedly paid his chef a lot of money if he didn’t tell anyone about the recipe.

Inventions The ice chest was invented by an unknown person, keeping ice cream at its desired temperature. The ice cream churn was invented by Nancy Johnson. It made ice cream easier to make, dramatically increasing its popularity.

People and Places Ice cream didn’t make it to America until 1766, in a New York ice cream parlor. This delicious dessert was enjoyed by Thomas Jefferson, and President George Washington.

Having Fun With Ice Cream The first ice cream bar company in America was the Good Humor Company, who featured delivery workers in uniforms. Margaret Thatcher found that some chemicals made ice cream even softer, and she is credited for beginning the popularity of soft-serve ice cream cones. In 1978, Cookies N’ Cream (my favorite flavor) was invented by Blue Bell.

Conclusion Personally, ice cream is my favorite dessert, because it can be enjoyed almost anywhere and anytime. How can you not love this mouthwatering dessert?

Sources: We All Scream for ICE CREAM! The Scoop on America’s Favorite Dessert