20 Coolest Facts about Ice Cream

An Ice Cream Dessert Photo sourced from Wikimedia

20 Coolest Facts about Ice Cream

Ice cream is a sweetened frozen food typically eaten as a snack or dessert and mostly formed by mixing milk, cream, sugar, and occasionally other ingredients which are frozen using specialized methods to create a smooth, creamy treat.

The mixture is cooled below the freezing point of water and stirred to incorporate air spaces and to prevent detectable ice crystals from forming. Despite being a favorite dessert for hundreds of years, ice cream has only recently become prevalent due to the extensive usage of refrigeration.

Let’s take a look at some of the Coolest Facts about Ice Cream;

1. Special techniques are employed to make ice cream

An Ice Cream Dessert Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Special techniques are employed to make ice cream that creates smaller ice crystals and incorporates air, which produces a soft texture. Rock salt, which lowers the melting point of ice, is often used in the ice-cream-making process.

Lowering the melting point of ice causes the ice cream mixture to lose heat more quickly, which speeds up the freezing process. Quickly freezing the mixture results in a softer end product and smaller ice crystals.

2. Ice cream recipe was discovered by Christopher Columbus 

A Christopher Columbus Photo sourced from Wikimedia

The ice cream recipe was discovered by Christopher Columbus. It was introduced to North America 250 years after its discovery. Before the discovery of milk-based ice creams in the 10th century, ice creams were made from ice.

To date, the United States remains the world’s largest consumer of ice cream. On average, one person takes about 48 pints of ice cream each year and 90% of households in the United States consume ice cream.

3. The most recent largest worldwide consumption of ice cream is in New Zealand

The world’s largest consumers of ice cream according to recent stats are New Zealand which unsubs the United States as the leading consumer of ice cream. In the US itself, one average person consumes 48 pints of ice cream per year.

New Zealand consumes about 28.8 liters per Capita which makes it the highest consumer. Other top consumers include the United States, Australia, and Finland which consume 20.8 liters per capita, 18 liters, and 14.2 liters per capita respectively.

4. In the US they have a tradition to celebrate National Ice Cream Month in July

A big ice cream cone sculpture photo sourced from Wikimedia

In 1984, US President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July National Ice Cream Month, with National Ice Cream Day being observed on the third Sunday, in honor of the nation’s love of the sweet treat. Ever since then the people of the US have observed this month.

It’s also interesting that Sunday is also the day of the week when most people consume the most ice cream, which also indirectly answers the theory that the word “sundae” most used in Ice Cream dessert originated on Sunday.

5. Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the world

Vanilla ice cream topped with chili crisp Photo sourced from Wikimedia

The most popular ice cream flavor in the world is Vanilla, with its test among the most adorable among the other flavors It is closely followed by strawberry, chocolate, and cookies n’ cream among other ice cream flavors.

The most uncommon ice cream flavors are the hot dog flavor which was created in the United States Arizona State. Japan has a place called the Ice Cream City where you can sample some bizarre and downright stomach-churning flavors of ice cream.

6. There are several types of ice cream made across the world

Another top fact about ice creams is that many types of ice cream can be made. They include ordinary ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, reduced-fat ice cream, gelato, and frozen custard among others. The biggest ice cream cake ever made weighed 12,096 pounds. 

Other common types of Ice cream include some top dishes like; Gelato, Sorbet, Soft Serve, Mochi  Philadelphia Style, Kulfi, Rolled Ice Cream, Kulfi, and many more which we have not talked about in this article.

Read more about it here

7. The Guinness world record for the tallest ice cream cone is held by a Norwegian company

The Guinness world record for the tallest ice cream cone is held by a Norwegian company. It contains 1,080 liters of ice cream, feeds 10,800 people two scoops each, 60 liters of chocolate, and is Nested in a 110kg waffle biscuit.

The impressive cone was so massive, it needed to be airlifted by a helicopter from the ice cream factory. Hennig-Olsen a family-run company that specializes in ice cream remains the record holder.

8. The first ice cream vendor was named Harry Burt 

The first ice cream vendor was Harry Burt of Youngstown Ohio, who used his truck to vend ice cream and was the creator of the Good Humor brand. Burt was already delivering ice cream from a motorized vehicle when he had the idea to place chocolate-covered cream bars on a stick.

His new Good Humor ice cream “sucker” was easy and clean to eat, which gave him the idea to sell it directly from his truck to consumers on the street. Over the years several or millions of people have opted to vend ice cream while they search for their daily bread.

9. It takes a weighty 12 pounds of milk to make one gallon of ice cream 

It takes a weighty 12 pounds of milk to make one gallon of ice cream which is approximately 3 gallons of fresh milk to make 1 gallon of ice cream. Ice cream production accounts for almost 9% of all milk used in the United States.

This simply means if a single cow can produce 64 pounds of milk in one day and you own one cow and you wanted to open up a small ice cream shop you could end up selling up to 5.3 gallons of ice cream, which can earn one so much money.

10. Coconut milk ice cream is traditional in Indonesia

Coconut Ice Cream Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Another top fact about Ice cream is that Coconut milk ice cream is traditional in Indonesia. Famously known as es puter, historically, Indonesian coconut milk ice cream came about due to coconuts being more easily available than cow’s milk.

They have since the discovery used coconuts and it’s completely vegan by coincidence, denser and rougher in texture compared to dairy ice cream, and typically topped with local fruit such as durian, avocado, or jackfruit.

Read more about it here

11. The first ice cream machine was invented by Nancy Johnson

Nancy Johnson lived in Philadelphia in 1843 when she filed for her patent for the first hand-cranked ice cream churn (US3254A). Her simple invention launched a “disruptive technology” that made it possible for everyone to make quality ice cream without electricity.

The machine sold quickly, and within a short period, 70 improvements made the invention even better, including those by White Mountain. The machine has since become the most important technology when it comes to ice cream.

12. Several countries have different versions of Ice cream which suit their cultures and tastes

Several countries have different versions of Ice cream which suit their cultures and tastes. Different cultures have developed unique versions of ice cream, suiting the product to the local tastes and preferences of normal citizens.

For example in China, many Chinese ice cream manufacturers have also introduced other traditional Chinese flavors such as black sesame and red bean. In India, their most well-known ice cream is the kulfi. Other countries also have their versions of ice cream.

13. Consumption of Ice cream has several benefits for the human body

ice cream vendors and customers buying ice cream Photo sourced from Wikimedia

The consumption of Ice cream has several benefits for the human body, these benefits comprise; being a source of Vitamins and Minerals, which also give the body energy, and ice cream also helps boost your immunity, and also helps in stimulating your brain.

Other benefits include; strengthening the bones, improving your fertility, increasing the libido, helping in weight loss, and Improving the Fertility of a person who uses ice cream products. These are some of the benefits of eating ice cream and there are many more.

14. Excessive consumption of ice cream may be harmful to your health 

Ice cream maybe having many benefits but it also has side effects and negative ones in that case. Some of the side effects include; Addiction, obesity, and various other complications, it may also make you feel bloated and gassy if you take it in excess.

Other side effects include; increasing cholesterol in the body which in turn can increase your chances of having problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., and can also increase your chances of fat deposition, especially around your belly area.

15. Most of the Vanilla that is used to make Ice Cream comes from Madagascar and Indonesia 

Vanilla planifolia Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Madagascar and Indonesia produce the world’s most Vanillas which are used to make ice cream. Although vanilla beans have their origins in Mexico, 80% of this delicious spice is now cultivated in Madagascar. The island nation, which is off the coast of East Africa, has a large vanilla orchid cultivation industry.

The humid subtropical temperature of the area promotes the development and quality of vanilla beans, to the point where the yields are regarded as the “gold standard” in the world spice market. Vanilla is also greatly cultivated in Indonesia and the two countries consist of 2/3 of the world’s vanilla production.

Read more about Vanilla in The most expensive spices in the world

16. The most expensive Ice cream maker is the G series

The Guinness Book of World records for the most expensive ice cream machine maker is the G Series ice cream makers which are made by NitroCream LLC. These machines are customized and signed by the artist and are sold at very high prices, starting at 75,000 dollars.

The G-series vertical Floor standing ice cream machines are very reliable and solid, they are also easy to use and simple to extract ice cream due to the front extraction door though they are expensive to purchase. They are also suitable for any balanced ice cream recipe.

17. The Ice Cream Sundae consists of different ingredients  

The Ice Cream Sundae Consists of several ingredients including; vanilla ice cream that is then topped with a flavored sauce, usually chocolate syrup. It is then topped with Whipped cream and a single Maraschino cherry.

One can make the Ice Cream Sundae recipe in just a few minutes with store-bought ingredients, or make it entirely from scratch with homemade vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and sauces. It is one of the best tastes when it comes to ice cream.

18. The most expensive ice cream dessert cost a whopping 25000 dollars 

The most expensive ice cream dessert in the world cost a whopping 25000 dollars and it was bought in the United States of America. It was bought in a restaurant in New York City, the dessert is called the Frozen Haute Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae. 

This expensive sundae is made with a blend of 28 cocoas, including 14 of the world’s most expensive. It is then topped with five grams of edible 23-karat gold and the goblet it is served in is also lined with edible gold and one karat of white diamonds. 

19. The World’s Largest Ice Cream Dessert Was Nearly a Mile Long 

The world’s largest ice cream dessert was nearly a mile long, it was approximately 1,386.62 m (4,549 ft 3.36 in) and was achieved by the Spirit of Texas Festival (USA) in College Station, Texas, USA, on 24 March 2018.

This wonderful dish was made to honor the spirit of Texas and its people.It is one of the best ever dessert.It’s sheer immensity is a monument to the inventiveness and commitment of those who worked on it.

20. Ice Cream can take many shapes and forms

A cocktail glass of ice cream, with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a wafer Photo sourced from Wikimedia

Ice Cream can take many shapes and forms which make it one of the best dessert. Some of the types of ice cream are ice cream, frozen custard, sherbet, gelato, reduced-fat ice cream, frozen yogurt, and more. All these types are equally delicious but have unique ingredients.

These different variations are all extremely close to one another, though different in their ways and delicious for that matter. Some of the most famous ice cream shapes include; Ice Cream Hearts, Ice Cream Stars, and Swans.