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What Is the History of Ice Cream

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[[File:Marco Polo traveling.jpeg|left|300px|thumbnail|Figure 1. Marco Polo has been credited with bringing ice cream to Europe.]]
Ice cream has been a popular treat that many see today as having developed relatively recently, as ice cream usually requires a form of refrigeration. While the modern form of ice cream is relatively more recent, the idea of ice cream has been present for millennia. Ice treats, which eventually gave us ice cream, were refreshing snacks usually reserved for elites or those who can obtain ice in times of warm or hot weather. The modern prevalence and look of ice cream can be traced to key developments in the industrial age, although its idea is much more ancient.
====Early Developments====It is not clear when the idea of ice cream exactly developed. However, already by the 2nd millennium BC, around 1800 BC, records from the ancient Near East state of Mari indicate ice was being collected for refreshment during the hot months. An ice house was built in the city of Terqa, suggesting the ice would be stored there during the winter months, when it may have been brought down from the mountains, and then successfully stored during the warm season. In China, at about the same time or even earlier, a flavored ice was known that resembles modern sherbet, where fruit would be frozen and flavored with honey or other sweet tastes. By the Achaemenid Persian period, around 500 BC, the Persians are depicted as using a type of grape concentrate which they would then mix with ice to create a cold, grape flavored treat. They would also use honey to give it a sweet taste. This seems to have been introduced to the Greeks after the invasion of Alexander, where records indicate the Greeks were doing similar things soon after Alexander's arrived in the region.<ref>For more on early ice cream consumption in the ancient world, see: Weiss, L. B. (2011). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1861897928/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1861897928&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5e4fd0680acd209879f3f29c98e8005f Ice Cream: A Global History].</i> London: Reaktion Books, pg. 19.</ref>
Similar ice flavored treats continued in By the Roman Achaemenid Persian period. In , around 500 BC, the mountains Persians are depicted as using a type of Italygrape concentrate, ice harvesters would be sent to get ice during the colder months and the ice which they would then be brought to Rome or other cities. Ice houses, which had sometimes underground chambers to keep the cool and were large in places, were used to preserve the mix with ice. The ice, when it was consumed, was flavored with fruits and juices to create something akin to what we would call a slushy (i.e.cold, mostly grape-flavored ice) or treat. They would also use honey to give it a sherbet or sorbetsweet taste. This seems to have been introduced to the Greeks after the invasion of Alexander, where records indicate the Greeks were doing similar to what was evident things soon after Alexander's arrived in ancient Chinathe region.<ref>For more on Roman ice houses and early ice creamconsumption in the ancient world, see: VearWeiss, L. B., & Cooper, M. (20132011). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1861897928/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1861897928&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=5e4fd0680acd209879f3f29c98e8005f Ice Cream and Other Frozen Delights: A Global History].</i> BathLondon: Absolute PressReaktion Books, pg. 1219.</ref>
It was only Similar ice flavored treats continued in the 16th century that Roman period. In Italy's mountains, ice harvesters would be sent to get ice during the colder months, and the texture of what we call ice cream began would then be brought to appearRome or other cities. By this time or perhaps Icehouses, which sometimes had underground chambers to keep cool and were large in places, were used to preserve the 16th century, flavored ice was mixed with milk and cream. The presence of ice cream likely came via the Silk Road or it has been mentioned from the period of Marco Polo (Figure 1). Eventually, when sugar came from the New Worldit was consumed, that was then also mixed flavored with the flavored ice, milk, fruits and cream combination juices to create the taste and look of ice cream something akin to what we are more familiar withwould call a slushy (i.e. The use of cream mixed with , mostly flavored ice helped create the name "ice cream" ) or sherbet or "iced cream" as it was initially know. This innovation probably came via Italy and Francesorbet, where from there it spread similar to the rest of Europe. However, having ice required having ice houses, which were not common. Thus it what was mostly a type of treat for royalty or consumed by upper elites of society and not widely availableevident in ancient China.<ref>For more on Europe's history of Roman ice houses and ice cream, see: QuinzioVear, JB., & Cooper, M. (20092013). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520248619/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0520248619&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=84e7dc5199895ae45b5f8f264f1dc432 Of Sugar and Snow: A History of Ice Cream Making]and Other Frozen Delights.</i> University of California Bath: Absolute Press, pg. 12.</ref>
Only in the 16th century, the texture of what we call ice cream began to appear. By this time, or perhaps in the 16th century, flavored ice was mixed with milk and cream. The presence of ice cream likely came via the Silk Road, or it has been mentioned from the period of Marco Polo (Figure 1). Eventually, when sugar came from the New World, it was also mixed with the flavored ice, milk, and cream combination to create the taste and look of ice cream we are more familiar with.  The use of cream mixed with ice helped create the name "ice cream" or "iced cream" as it was initially known. This innovation probably came via Italy and France, where it spread to the rest of Europe. However, having ice required having ice houses, which were not common. Thus it was mostly a type of treatment for royalty or consumed by upper elites of society and not widely available.<ref>For more on Europe's history of ice cream, see: Quinzio, J. (2009). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520248619/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0520248619&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=84e7dc5199895ae45b5f8f264f1dc432 Of Sugar and Snow: A History of Ice Cream Making].</i> University of California Press.</ref> ====Key Changes====
[[File:5249494834 3b6f6c54c9 b.jpeg|thumbnail|300px |left|Figure 2. Children eating ice cream in the Ottoman Era.]]
By In France, by the 17th century, beginning first in France, cafe culture began to spread, where these shops offered coffee and tea. However, ice cream began to also appear on menus in some of the well wells to do cafes that could afford to keep ice. Recipes for ice cream also appeared, which not only spread interest in making ice cream but also it and encouraged experimentation. Thickening agents were now introduced to ice cream in the 16th century, such as using seaweed. Eating ice cream with strawberries and milk were was considered to be a particular treat, leading to strawberries being a popular flavor associated with ice cream. <ref>For more on ice cream's spread to more common classes, see: Arnold, S. J. (2004). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D1B4P38/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00D1B4P38&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=15f9e6cc40c2beffa51485348c65e24a Everybody Loves Ice Cream: The Whole Scoop on America’s Favorite Treat].</i> Cincinnati, Ohio: Emmis Books, pg. 14.</ref>
The 18th century saw the expansion of ice cream, where many shops and ice cream makers now operated. It was during During the colonial period that , ice cream was introduced to the United States, perhaps via Quakers who brought their recipe books with them as they came to the colonies. Ice cream soon caught on in popularity, as many of the founding fathers in the United States widely consumed ice cream. In the summer of 1790, George Washington spent $200 on ice cream. Thomas Jefferson had a well known 18-step recipe for creating ice cream. In the inauguration of James Madison, ice cream was served to guests.<ref>For more on the early history of ice cream in the United States, see: DeWitt, D. (2010). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402217862/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402217862&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6b9288a331b7873bafa0ece890e4603e The Founding Foodies: How Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin Revolutionized American Cuisine].</i> Naperville, Ill: Sourcebooks.</ref>
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Around 1800, ice house insulation improved dramatically , which allowed them to be even colder. The improved technology expanded the number of ice houses. The wider presence of ice houses allowed ice cream to spread across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East in the early part of the 19th century(Figure 2). In the rest of the century, several technologies began to facilitate the production of ice cream. These included steam power, mechanical refrigeration, the homogenizer, electric power and motors, packing machines, and improvements in the freezing process.  The hand-cranked churn was an important innovation in the 1840s that gave the ice cream a smoother look. Jacob Fussell, a Quaker from Baltimore, created an ice cream business by selling ice cream at a larger scale, introducing wider commercial processing and selling of ice cream. He was able to streamline the procurement of milk from dairy farmers , and he often had a surplus of cream that he would then begin to use for ice cream. Popularity The popularity of his brand caught on and spread as he was able to widely distribute his productwidely. <ref>For more on 19th -century developments in ice creamdevelopments, see: Clarke, C. (2012). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1849731276/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1849731276&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=fdf3c92b3e20404d677eaceab18d6a02 The Science of Ice Cream] (2nd ed).</i> Cambridge: RSC Publ.</ref> It was during the 1870s that the sundae developed. At that time, the ice cream had now become prevalent. Experimentation on new ice creams was common, and one of these added soda with ice cream and fruits and other sweet toppings. However, there was a backlash on eating such foods on a Sunday, a religious day, so the innovators took out the soda water, and the mixture of ice creams and toppings was eventually called the sundae, although it was spelled Sunday initially (changed to avoid criticism from religiously minded people). The use of soda water with ice cream, however, did catch on. The ice cream cone was popularized in 1888 by Agnes Marshall in her recipe book, where she called these cones cornets. Likely, ice cream cones were already known, but her book did make the idea of ice cream cones more known, mostly because of her influence at the time in things related to cooking and food.<ref>For more on how flavors and types of ice creams developed, see: Funderburg, A. C. (1995). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087972692X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=087972692X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2f5f9d5997d7c3a5ce30d3a44ab2b7e9 Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla: A History of American Ice Cream].</i> Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press.</ref>
It ====Modern Ice Cream====The key change to ice cream was during the 1870s an improvement in electrified refrigeration, or specifically freezing, that the sundae developedspread after World War II globally. At that time, The need for having to obtain ice cream had now become prevalentbecame unneeded after the 1870s. Experimentation on new types This was because of ice creams were common and one the development of these added soda with ice cream along with fruits and other sweet toppingsthe electrified freezing process. However, there the technology was a backlash on eating such foods on a Sundaynot perfected until the 1920s, a religious day, so which became the innovators simply took out the soda water and the mixture of ice creams and toppings was eventually called the sundaecontinuous-process freezer, although it was spelled sunday initially (changed to avoid criticism from religiously minded people). The use of soda water with that enabled ice cream, however, did catch onto become more easily made and become globally prevalent. The ice cream cone was popularized Electrification in 1888 by Agnes Marshall in her recipe bookmany regions became only widespread after World War II, where she called these cones cornets. It is likely which meant that ice cream cones were already known, but her book did make the idea of ice cream cones more known, mostly because of her influence at only became common for many regions after the time in things related to cooking and food.<ref>For more on how flavors and types of ice creams developed, see: Funderburg, A. C. (1995). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/087972692X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=087972692X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=2f5f9d5997d7c3a5ce30d3a44ab2b7e9 Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla: A History of American Ice Cream].</i> Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Presswar.</ref>
==Modern Ice Cream==The key change to ice cream was improvement in electrified refrigeration, or specifically freezing, that spread after World War II globally. The need for having to obtain ice became unneeded after the 1870s. This was because of the development of the electrified freezing process. However, the technology was not perfected until the 1920s, what became the continuous-process freezer, that enabled ice cream to be more easily made and become globally prevalent. Electrification in many regions became only widespread after World War II, which meant that for many regions ice cream only became common after the war. Throughout the 20th century, new developments in various flavors and types, such as the banana split (introduced in 1904), emerged. Another important innovation was the use of more air in the cream and ice mixture, that which created a "softer" looking ice cream or what we call soft ice cream that is popular today. The ice cream company Dairy Queen seems to have brought this innovation. Seaweed and other agents are still used for thickening; agar is now more commonly used as an emulsifier to help give the ice cream a greater consistency.<ref>For more on 20th -century developments, see: Goldstein, D. (Ed.). (, 2015). <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0199313393/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0199313393&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aa8a1908b1f1f8f9a6595e88190db70a The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets].</i> Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, pg. 348.</ref>
====Conclusion====It is impossible to imagine ice cream without freezers or refrigeration of some sort; however, the origin of ice cream is much more ancient, going back thousands of year years to the ancient Near East and China. Because ice was not easily obtained or made, ice cream was considered food for royalty or upper elites who can obtain ice, particularly in warm seasons. Improvement in ice houses, and general technology development in the 19th century, led to the development of ice cream being more spread. With However, with refrigeration, however, ice cream could now be created without having ice on hand, leading to the eventual widespread presence of ice cream. Key developments of emulsifiers, thickeners, and mixing technologies have also led to the texture that we are accustomed to.
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====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====
*[[How Did Ancient Societies Adapt to Dairy Consumption?]]
*[[How Did Black Pepper Spread in Popularity?]]
*[[How Did Popcorn Become Popular?]]
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