It’s hot out there, and all we’re thinking about is ways to cool down — or just finding any excuse to eat more ice cream.National Ice Cream Day is Sunday and we’ve got the scoop for you.Here’s everything you should know about the holiday.Where did ice cream come from?Our love for ice cream goes way, way back. Thousands of years ago, people around the world figured out that cold + sweet = a delicious combo.Records show that some of history’s most famous leaders enjoyed cold treats, from Roman emperor Nero to Alexander the Great. Even King Solomon was fond of “a snow-cooled drink at harvest time,” according to some Bible translations.Historians believe the ancient Chinese were the first to develop a cool, creamy treat that resembles what we enjoy today. In the 1500s, ice cream started to spread through Europe, though at first only aristocrats could afford it.No one knows for sure when ice cream made its way to the United States, but at least a few Founding Fathers were fans.Thomas Jefferson wrote down 18-step instructions, the first known ice cream recipe recorded by an American. And George Washington reportedly dished out $200 in a single summer to get his frosty fix. In today’s dollars, that’s a lot of money.When did the U.S. create National Ice Cream Day?Thanks to President Ronald Reagan, National Ice Cream Day is legit.In 1984, he signed a proclamation that declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. The third Sunday of that month, which this year is July 18, became officially known as National Ice Cream Day.The proclamation — No. 5219, to be exact — describes “a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over 90 percent of the people in the United States.”Although we can’t vouch for his stats, it does sound pretty accurate. Right?What’s the most popular flavor of ice cream in the U.S.?From Neapolitan to chocolate chip cookie dough, there’s no shortage of flavors.That’s not all. You can also get it nitrogen-blasted, hand-rolled or charcoal-infused.Ice cream can even be made without the help of cows. Biotech company Perfect Day debuted a lab-grown dairy ice cream that uses genetic engineering to recreate the proteins usually found in cow’s milk.Still, the top flavor in the United States? Plain old vanilla, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. So, this weekend, don’t think of your sweet tooth as a guilty pleasure, but maybe a patriotic duty.
It’s hot out there, and all we’re thinking about is ways to cool down — or just finding any excuse to eat more ice cream.
National Ice Cream Day is Sunday and we’ve got the scoop for you.
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Here’s everything you should know about the holiday.
Where did ice cream come from?
Our love for ice cream goes way, way back. Thousands of years ago, people around the world figured out that cold + sweet = a delicious combo.
Records show that some of history’s most famous leaders enjoyed cold treats, from Roman emperor Nero to Alexander the Great. Even King Solomon was fond of “a snow-cooled drink at harvest time,” according to some Bible translations.
Historians believe the ancient Chinese were the first to develop a cool, creamy treat that resembles what we enjoy today. In the 1500s, ice cream started to spread through Europe, though at first only aristocrats could afford it.
No one knows for sure when ice cream made its way to the United States, but at least a few Founding Fathers were fans.
Thomas Jefferson wrote down 18-step instructions, the first known ice cream recipe recorded by an American. And George Washington reportedly dished out $200 in a single summer to get his frosty fix. In today’s dollars, that’s a lot of money.
When did the U.S. create National Ice Cream Day?
Thanks to President Ronald Reagan, National Ice Cream Day is legit.
In 1984, he signed a proclamation that declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. The third Sunday of that month, which this year is July 18, became officially known as National Ice Cream Day.
The proclamation — No. 5219, to be exact — describes “a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over 90 percent of the people in the United States.”
Although we can’t vouch for his stats, it does sound pretty accurate. Right?
What’s the most popular flavor of ice cream in the U.S.?
From Neapolitan to chocolate chip cookie dough, there’s no shortage of flavors.
That’s not all. You can also get it nitrogen-blasted, hand-rolled or charcoal-infused.
Ice cream can even be made without the help of cows. Biotech company Perfect Day debuted a lab-grown dairy ice cream that uses genetic engineering to recreate the proteins usually found in cow’s milk.
Still, the top flavor in the United States? Plain old vanilla, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.
So, this weekend, don’t think of your sweet tooth as a guilty pleasure, but maybe a patriotic duty.
