The favorite dessert of all, ice cream has been savored by people since long. The origin and history of ice cream dates back to the ancient civilizations of Greek (around 5th century BC). Greeks used to sell snow cones, mixed with honey and fruits, in the markets of Athens. The most profound example to be cited is that of Roman Emperor Nero, who used to get ice from the mountains and combine it with fruit toppings. Chinese are also credited to have devised the method to prepare sorbets and ice creams.
Another incidence can be cited around 1600s. King Charles I of England, ordered his chef to make ice cream mandatory in the menu for the royal table. The chef is supposed to have a secret recipe and he was paid heavily to keep it secret. However, the recipe was soon known to the nobles in Europe and they started enjoying icy dishes. Ice cream recipes were first published in eighteenth century. The dessert was even introduced in the United States, where Thomas Jefferson is said to have a recipe for Vanilla ice cream.
It is believed that George Washington paid almost $200 for the specific recipe, and the First Lady Dolley Madison served ice cream at the inaugural ball of her husband. Still, ice cream was restricted in amount and popularity, as the preparation process was too tedious. In 1847, Nancy Johnson devised the first hand-crank ice cream maker and even managed to receive a patent for it. Nevertheless, ice cream making was not considered an industry till the time Jacob Fussell started the manufacture of ice cream, in order to increase the demand of his cream.
He utilized a larger version of the Johnson’s machine in the process and indulged in mass production. By the time of Civil war, he had set up ice cream factories in New York, Boston and Washington. Even so, the push in the production of ice cream and its popularity was evident only in the 20th century, with the invention of refrigeration and power. With this, ice cream cones and sundaes also became popular. Ice creams were, though, claimed to have been invented in 1904 at St. Louis World’s Fair.
