Ice Cream
Ice cream (derived from earlier iced cream
or cream ice is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk
and cream and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours.
Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners. In
some cases, artificial flavourings and colourings are used in addition to, or
instead of, the natural ingredients. The mixture of chosen ingredients is
stirred slowly while cooling, in order to incorporate air and to prevent large
ice crystals from forming. The result is a smoothly textured semi-solid foam
that is malleable and can be scooped.
The meaning of the phrase "ice
cream" varies from one country to another. Phrases such as "frozen
custard", "frozen yogurt", "sorbet",
"gelato" and others are used to distinguish different varieties and
styles. In some countries, such as the United States
History of Ice Cream
The origins of ice cream can be traced back
to at least the 4th century B.C. Early references include the Roman emperor
Nero (A.D. 37-68) who ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and combined
with fruit toppings, and King Tang (A.D. 618-97) of Shang, China who had a
method of creating ice and milk concoctions. Ice cream was likely brought from China Europe . Over time, recipes for ices, sherbets, and milk ices evolved and
served in the fashionable Italian and French royal courts.
After the dessert was imported to the
First Ice Cream Parlor In America
The
first ice cream parlor in America New York City
The history of
ice cream in the 20th century is one of great change and increases in
availability and popularity. In the United States in the early 20th century, the
ice cream soda was a popular treat at the soda shop, the soda fountain, and the
ice cream parlor. During American Prohibition, the soda fountain to some extent
replaced the outlawed alcohol establishments such as bars and saloons.
Ice cream became
popular throughout the world in the second half of the 20th century after cheap
refrigeration became common. There was an explosion of ice cream stores and of
flavours and types. Vendors often competed on the basis of variety. Howard
Johnson's restaurants advertised
"a world of 28 flavors".
Baskin-Robbins made its
31 flavours ("one for every day of the
month") the cornerstone of its marketing strategy. The company now boasts
that it has developed over 1000 varieties.
One important
development in the 20th century was the introduction of soft ice cream, which
has more air mixed in thereby reducing costs. It made possible the soft ice
cream machine in which a cone is filled beneath a spigot on order. In the
United States, Dairy Queen, Carvel, and Tastee-Freez pioneered in establishing
chains of soft-serve ice cream outlets.
Technological
innovations such as these have introduced various food additives into ice
cream, the notable one being the stabilizing agent gluten, to which some people
have an intolerance. Recent awareness of this issue has prompted a number of
manufacturers to start producing gluten-free ice cream.
The 1980s saw
thicker ice creams being sold as "premium" and
"super-premium" varieties under brands such as Ben & Jerry's, Chocolate
Shoppe Ice Cream Company and Häagen-Dazs.
Ice Cream Cone
An ice cream
cone, poke or cornet is a dry, cone-shaped pastry, usually made of a wafer
similar in texture to a waffle, which enables ice cream to be held in the hand
and eaten without a bowl or spoon. Various types of ice cream cones include
waffle cones, cake cones (or wafer cones), pretzel cones, sugar cones and
chocolate-coated cones.
A variety of
double cone exists that allows two scoops of ice cream to be served side by
side. Ice cream cones may also be made with a flat bottom instead of the
pointed lower part, enabling the ice cream and "cone" to stand
upright on a surface without support. These types of wafer cups are called
kiddie cups, cake cups or cool cups.
History
Edible cones were
mentioned in French cooking books as early as 1825, when Julien Archambault
described how one could roll a cone from "little waffles". Another
printed reference to an edible cone is in Mrs A. B. Marshall's Cookery Book,
written in 1888 by Agnes B. Marshall (1855–1905) of England. Her recipe for
"Cornet with Cream" said that "the cornets were made with
almonds and baked in the oven, not pressed between irons".
Italy serves a
very special kind of ice cream called gelato. Italians make gelato with milk,
water and different flavours. But gelato is different from normal ice cream.
This is because there is not as much air in gelato. Gelato is much thicker than
normal ice cream. You eat smaller amounts because it is so filling and sweet.
Ice Cream around
the world
Ice cream is very
popular all over the world today. And there are many different kinds of ice
cream in different cultures.
Italy serves a
very special kind of ice cream called gelato. Italians make gelato with milk,
water and different flavours. But gelato is different from normal ice cream.
This is because there is not as much air in gelato. Gelato is much thicker than
normal ice cream. You eat smaller amounts because it is so filling and sweet.
In India a
popular ice cream is called kulfi. Kulfi ice cream has more ice in it than
other ice creams. It is not as smooth. Indians flavor kulfi with pistachio nuts
and a spice called cardamom.
In Japan, people
eat mochi ice cream. Mochi ice cream is a small, round dessert ball consisting
of a soft, pounded sticky rice cake (mochi) on the outside and an ice cream
filling on the inside. It is then dusted with corn starch. There are many
flavors to choose from, but the most popular are green tea (matcha), vanilla,
chocolate, strawberry, and red bean (azuki).
There is a town
in the nation of Ecuador that is famous for their special kind of ice cream.
The town is called Salcedo. In Salcedo they serve ice cream on a stick. They
freeze the ice cream in different layers, or parts. Each layer is a different
color. So the ice cream almost looks like a rainbow! There are usually a few
layers of frozen fruit juice. And there is a top layer made of thick, sweet
cream. When you drive into Salcedo you see a large statue. It is shaped like
these special layered ice cream treats!
