Scooping Deep Into the History of Ice Cream

three cups of ice cream with sprinkles

Nothing tastes as good as that first bite of your favorite ice cream on a hot summer day. The unofficial must-have of the season, ice cream brings cool vibes and great times when the weather feels unbearable. From the Royal Courts of the Middle Ages to the backyard BBQs of today, it’s delivered comfort and happiness to people for centuries. But—what’s the real story of ice cream? Let’s dig into the sweet history of ice cream right here.

Ice Cream Origins

Ice cream has a story that dates back several millennia—and who invented ice cream first is unclear. While ice cream’s specific date of origin and earliest makers are almost impossible to pin down, as civilization evolved, so did its ability to turn simple ingredients into a culinary art.

Ancient Times

Thousands of years ago, ancient civilizations experimented with the magic of cold, laying the foundation for future frozen desserts. Alexander the Great reportedly indulged in icy drinks. As early as 400 BCE, Persians mixed vermicelli noodles with ice and flavors for a refreshing treat. And it’s said that the servants of Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar (54 – 86 CE) would gather snow from the mountains and mix it with honey and fruit to create a primitive sorbet.

The Royal Tang Dynasty

During the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 CE), emperors creatively used milk to produce the earliest frozen sweet with dairy. A chilled concoction made from buffalo milk, flour, and fragrant camphor was prepared for royals and society’s most elite. It wasn’t technically ice cream by today’s standards, but it combined dairy and freezing techniques centuries before similar recipes appeared in Europe.

European Expansion

Next in ice cream history, according to (debated) legend, Marco Polo brought early “ice cream” recipes to Italy from Asia in the 13th century. When Italian duchess Catherine de’ Medici married Henry II in 1533, she allegedly introduced the French courts to the frozen dessert and its crafting methods. Both French and Italian chefs continued refining recipes, adding salt, eggs, and cream to make the slushy ice into something creamier and more scoopable.

Confectioner Antonio Latini is credited with being the first person to document a milk-based sorbet, which some culinary historians consider the first official ice cream. In 1686, Sicilian Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli opened Le Procope in Paris, often deemed the first café to serve ice cream, making the once-rare and exclusive dish accessible to the public.

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Crossing the Atlantic: History of Ice Cream in America

Who exactly brought ice cream to the United States isn’t well known. The first mention of it was in a 1744 letter recounting a dinner hosted by Maryland governor Thomas Bladen. And sources say that upon his arrival in the New World from London, Philip Lenzi opened America’s first ice cream parlor in 1777. The New York-based shop advertised that the confection was available “almost every day.”

Which president loved ice cream?

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington were big fans of ice cream, too. In fact, records show that George Washington spent $200 on the expensive treat in a single summer.

How Ice Cream Went Mainstream

Nancy Johnson’s invention of the hand-cranked ice cream freezer in 1843 changed everything for the history of ice cream. This new equipment meant that ice cream-making was no longer a time-consuming and physically exhausting manual process—the tedious work of servants for the wealthy. Now, small businesses in America and Europe could reduce costs and sell ice cream to the masses.

In 1851, dairyman Jacob Fussell built the first commercial ice cream factory in Pennsylvania. Things got even better in the 1870s, when German engineer Carl von Linde developed industrial refrigeration, eliminating the need to cut and store natural ice. The 20th century brought improved freezer technology, delivery trucks, and large-scale production, turning ice cream from a parlor delight into a supermarket staple.

One hundred years later, the ice cream is still churning. From fun flavors to playful novelties, it’s constantly reinventing itself, yet every bite contains a hint of history.

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History & Evolution of Ice Cream Treats

Ice cream has evolved and changed over time. Here’s the history of ice cream sundaes, ice cream soda, and waffle cones.

Ice Cream Sundae Origins

Ice cream sodas were the craze, but there was a problem. Many states had “blue laws” prohibiting the sale of soda on Sundays. To get around this, druggist Edward Berners added chocolate syrup to ice cream, creating the first sundae in 1881. What started as a Sunday-only ritual became a week-long celebration when the spelling was changed to “sundae.”

Ice Cream Soda Origins

In 1874, Robert M. Green made a splash during the semicentennial celebration in Philadelphia. Running low on cream for his soda stand, he used vanilla ice cream as a substitute, and the ice cream soda was born.

Waffle Cone Origins

Ice cream was so popular at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis that vendors ran out of bowls. Ernest Hamwi, a Syrian vendor, came up with a sumptuous solution: He rolled his thin zalabia waffles into cone-shaped containers to serve without dishes.

The Takeaway

Now you have it—there’s the real story of ice cream! Want to satisfy your sweet tooth even more? Check out 6 classic candies that still hit the sweet spot.