Tag: Flavors

Ice Cream For Children

When eaten in moderation, ice cream is a very healthy food for children. Most children, however, would not be impressed by hearing about the health benefits, calorie content, or ingredients of ice cream, so it is up to the adults to present this food in manners which will interest them the most. This is not to say that many children need much encouragement to eat ice cream, for it is generally a favored treat without requiring any explanations!

First, and above all, children will automatically be drawn to ice cream simply because it tastes good. As a treat which has withstood the test of time, being popular to children of every generation, today’s youngsters have many more varieties and forms of ice cream to enjoy than children did in generations of the past. With ice cream, a child can select his favorites from such forms as ice cream sandwiches, ice cream bars, sundaes, cones, and the ever-popular scoops. All of these forms fit nicely into a child’s active lifestyle, as they are easily portable. Children who might dislike taking the time to sit at the table to eat a snack appreciate being able to take a hand-held ice cream bar or ice cream sandwich along to wherever they are going.

Children also like the fact that there are so many flavors of ice cream to choose from. Although it is a rare child who does not have one particular favorite, the elements of variety and of choice have an important appeal to most youngsters. While he may love chocolate, and, likewise, choose chocolate ninety-nine percent of the time, having thirty other flavors from which he can choose if he so desires is a factor which children like. Having choices is something which all children appreciate; and ice cream certainly fits that category!

Anything which is presented as a learning experience, when presented in an interesting manner, is something which most children enjoy. Considering the fact that ice cream has been a popular part of American life for more than two hundred years, there is plenty of information that children will like to learn about. As each youngster has his own particular field of interest, you have the opportunity to present the subject in the range which most interests your child. For example, one child will be greatly interested in hearing that Dolly Madison served ice cream at the President’s inauguration dinner; another child would like to hear about what types of ice cream his favorite celebrities prefer; and other children will be more interested in learning the details of how, when, and where ice cream was originally invented.

Most children love that which is familiar, and also that which is unique. With ice cream, they can have the best of both. Ice cream can be a source of delight at their special occasions, and can also be presented in ways which make for good, lasting memories. While ice cream on or with cake has been a standard at birthday parties and other family gatherings for generations, there are ways to make it even more enjoyable for the children. In addition to birthday parties and other expected events, you can host a “getting out of school for the summer” celebration, or a party for a specific holiday, and make ice cream a focused part of the festivities by assisting the children in making their own.

Whether you use a hand-cranked ice cream maker, or make the ice cream in plastic bags, children will greatly enjoy this experience which is not time-consuming, complicated or messy as one might think. Youngsters will love the unique taste of homemade ice cream, as it is decidedly different from the boxed type found in grocery stores, and they will enjoy being an active part of its production.

Although ice cream is a healthy part of a child’s diet, most youngsters prefer to eat it simply because it tastes good and it can be given to them in ways which will even increase their enjoyment!

Ice Cream And Its Wworldwide Popularity

While ice cream is generally considered to be as American as baseball, hotdogs and apple pie, Americans have no monopoly on the love for this famous dessert. People worldwide share an affinity for ice cream in its many forms and varieties.

In Italy, ice cream is a very popular dessert. The Italian style of ice cream, which is called gelato, is now being sold in some parts of the United States. There are a number of differences between Italian gelato and American ice cream. Contrary to common misconception, gelato does not contain any gelatin. Gelato contains much less fat than the American styles of ice cream, and its consistency is not as hard-frozen as its American ice cream counterparts. Gelato is usually made of fresh, all-natural ingredients. Produced in many of the same flavors as ice cream, nuts or chocolate chips are occasionally added. It is not surprising that this “new ice cream” has made its way to the United States, and is growing in popularity.

After the United States, New Zealand tops in the world’s ice cream consumption, at twenty litres per year. The New Zealand Ice Cream Company states that their Calci-Lite dairy dessert was likely the world’s first low-fat, calcium-fortified ice cream. Not wishing to sacrifice taste, this ice cream is made in seven flavors, including Saucey Chocolate Orange, Chocolate Malted, and Honeyed Vanilla. As an interesting fact, showing that ice cream truly is a universal favorite, two of New Zealand’s Tip Top Ice Cream Company’s most popular products are Rocky Road ice cream and Eskimo Pies!

Australia is the world’s third largest consumer of ice cream. Although some Australians like to make their own ice cream, the commercially-made types which most enjoy as a basic part of their diet are standard ice cream, soft serve, and Italian gelato!

Ice cream is also a favored treat amongst people in Japan. While the Japanese enjoy the same ice cream flavors that are most popular worldwide, such as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, they also have a number of varieties which are quite unique! Of Japan’s unique list of ice cream flavors, such as Cactus ice cream, Chicken Wing ice cream, and Wasabi ice cream, there is one which has recently begun to attain acceptance in the United States Green Tea ice cream. Green Tea ice cream is not difficult to make, consisting of green tea powder, milk, egg yolks, sugar, and heavy cream.

The French love ice cream, too, and have many ice cream shops which specialize not only in ice cream but also soft serve and gelato. Chez Scoop, which is deemed to be one of the best shops in Paris, offers tourists and local customers the same universally-loved flavors of ice cream, such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Other styles of ice cream which are popular in Paris are the Grasshopper (vanilla ice cream with mint) and the Tortoise (vanilla ice cream with chocolate, caramel, and pecans). The French are also partial to ice cream which is topped with Vermont maple syrup!

Ice cream is so popular in the United Kingdom that the Ice Cream Alliance has existed since 1944. While mainly directed toward producers and sellers of ice cream, the Alliance also holds annual ice cream competitions. Although the United Kingdom consumes considerably less ice cream than the United States, they presently have more than a thousand ice cream companies. The British enjoy many of the same flavors as Americans, but have some which are likely unique to their region, such as Black Pudding ice cream and Newcastle Brown Ale ice cream.

Ice Cream, the Great American Dessert

Ice cream, America’s favorite treat, has been around for a very long time. It may be America’s favorite treat, but ice cream did not originate in the United States. Ice cream has evolved throughout a history that goes back over 2000 years to around 200 B.C. In the 1st Century, Nero, the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty (A.D. 37 – 68), ordered his slaves to bring ice back to him from the mountains. The ice which was used to make an iced mixture with his favorite fruit toppings mixed in.

Another form of ice cream was made by King Tang of China (A. D. 618-97). He combined ice and milk. From China ice cream was brought to Europe when, in the 1200’s Marco Polo had brought an ice cream sorbet recipe back with him to Europe from the Far East. The recipe called for the ingredients snow and milk.

Ice cream was later imported from Europe to the United States where it was served by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to their guests. Historians say that George Washington really loved his ice cream and ate large amounts of it.

In New York City, in 1776, the first ice cream parlor was opened. The word ice cream was started by the American Colonists. They first called it “iced” cream and it was later shortened to “ice” cream.

When First Lady Dolly Madison was in the white house from 1809 to 1817, she served ice cream to guests.

The hand crank ice cream maker or freezer was invented in 1846 by Nancy Johnson. Today, ice cream is still made using the basic method of the hand-crank ice cream freezer. In 1848 a similar ice cream freezer, the Johnson Patent Ice-Cream Freezer was patented. By 1850 ice cream had become a popular treat. It wasn’t until 1851 that Jacob Fussell’s Baltimore Company began to manufacture and market ice cream commercially.

The ice cream cone was invented in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904 when on July 23 Charles E. Minches thought of making a pastry cone and filled it with two ice cream scoops. The ice cream cone first appeared at the St. Louis World’s Fair later in the year where, historians believe, there were more than 50 ice cream cone vendors. Historians also believe that the ice cream cone had actually been invented by many people, all at around the same time.

In 1926 Clarence Vogt came up with a process of continuously freezing ice cream for the commercial manufacturing of ice cream. By the 1930’s ice cream had a huge increase in popularity and many flavors of ice cream and sherbets had become available. By the 20th Century many flavors of ice cream were being sold on a large scale in grocery stores, supermarkets and ice-cream franchises.

Ice cream is so popular that it has its own month of celebration! President Ronald Reagan proclaimed in 1984 that July is National Ice Cream Month, with the third Sunday of every July being National Ice Cream Day. President Reagan declared that over 90 per cent of the population enjoys ice cream and that ice cream is a healthy, nutritious and fun food that should be appropriately celebrated.

Besides the obvious delicious benefits of ice cream, ice cream helps the nation because over $21 billion in sales are generate every year by ice cream. The industry creates thousands of jobs for Americans and keeps the cows busy. Ice cream manufacturing uses around 9 percent of all the milk produced by American Dairy Farmers.

History of Ice Cream

Ice cream has evolved throughout a history that goes back over 2000 years to around 200 B.C. Folk lore has it that in the 1st Century, Nero, the fifth and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty (A.D. 37 – 68), ordered his slaves to go up in the mountains and bring back ice which was used to make an iced mixture with fruit.

Another form of ice cream was made by King Tang of China (A. D. 618-97). He combined ice and milk. From China ice cream was brought to Europe when, in the 1200’s Marco Polo had brought an ice cream sorbet recipe back with him to Europe from the Far East. The recipe called for the ingredients snow and milk.

Ice cream was later imported from Europe to the United States where it was served by Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to their guests. Historians say that George Washington really loved his ice cream and ate lots of it.

In New York City, in 1776, the first ice cream parlor was opened. The word ice cream was started by the American Colonists. They first called it “iced” cream and it was later shortened to “ice” cream.

When First Lady Dolly Madison was in the white house from 1809 to 1817, she served ice cream to guests.

The hand crank ice cream maker or freezer was invented in 1846 by Nancy Johnson. Today, ice cream is still made using the basic method of the hand-crank ice cream freezer. In 1848 a similar ice cream freezer, the Johnson Patent Ice-Cream Freezer was patented. By 1850 ice cream had become a popular treat. It wasn’t until 1851 that Jacob Fussell’s Baltimore Company began to manufacture and market ice cream commercially.

At some point in time someone figured out that using salt mixed with the ice would lower the temperature of the ingredients and that the wooden freezer bucket and paddles would open the way for the larger-scale manufacture of ice cream.

It was a long time before an ice cream mold and scooper was patented. The ice cream scoop was patented by Alfred Cralle in 1897.

The ice cream cone was invented in St. Louis, Missouri in 1904 when on July 23 Charles E. Minches thought of making a pastry cone and filled it with two ice cream scoops. The ice cream cone first appeared at the St. Louis World’s Fair later in the year where, historians believe, there were more than 50 ice cream cone vendors. Historians also believe that the ice cream cone had actually been invented by many people, all at around the same time.

In 1926 Clarence Vogt came up with a process of continuously freezing ice cream for the commercial manufacturing of ice cream. By the 1930’s ice cream had a huge increase in popularity and many flavors of ice cream and sherbets had become available. By the 20th Century many flavors of ice cream were being sold on a large scale in grocery stores, supermarkets and ice-cream franchises.

Ice cream has been around for over 2000 years and isn’t likely to go away very soon. With such longevity, perhaps it will be around for another 2000 years.

Comparing Ice Creams

There are so many brands, flavors and styles of ice cream available that it may be difficult to decide which ones you want to buy. If you do some comparison-shopping in advance, it will assist you in making the purchases that are best suited to your own personal tastes, lifestyle, and economy.

If you crave both simplicity and variety, Baskin-Robbins is an excellent place to find both. Currently having nearly three thousands stores in the United States, you are sure to find something to your liking amongst their famous “31 flavors.” Baskin-Robbins has twenty-one permanent flavors, eleven seasonal flavors, and two flavors-of-the-month. In addition to their most popular ice cream cones of one, two , or three scoops Baskin-Robbins also sells shakes, sherbets, ices, and wonderful custom-made ice cream cakes. For customers who have dietary restrictions, Baskin-Robbins also offers lowfat and no sugar added ice creams. Baskin-Robbins is definitely one of the best brands of ice cream.

When great taste and whimsy meet, the result is Ben and Jerry’s. You may already have a favorite Ben and Jerry’s favorite amongst their best-sellers, such as Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, or Peanut Butter Cup; or you might like to try one of their new styles, such as Cinnamon Buns, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Banana Split. Ben and Jerry’s also sells their most popular flavors in the form of cool, frosty milk beverages. Raspberry Chocolate Chunk, Strawberries and Cream, Phish Food, and Chocolate Cookie Dough are also available in light varieties. Currently, Ben and Jerry’s also manufactures four organic ice creams.

Rare is the person who has tried and not automatically loved Moose Tracks! Moose Tracks, whose popularity nearly rivals that of vanilla, is made by the Denali ice cream company. As variety is what makes and keeps happy customers, Denali sells Moose Tracks ice cream in eight different styles, including one which has no sugar added. In addition to their famous Moose Tracks, they manufacture more than thirty other flavors, plus ice cream bars and ice cream pies. Moose Tracks ice cream is definitely not an acquired preference, for you will most likely choose it over any other ice cream once you have tried it.

Dreyer’s ice cream, which is sold in some parts of the United States as Edy’s ice cream, has something for everyone. Dreyer’s premium Grand ice cream sports thirty continuous styles of ice cream, cones, and bars, as well as limited edition flavors. They have sixteen slow-churned, no sugar added, light ice creams, as well as light ice cream bars in Vanilla Almond, Cookies and Cream, Creamy Vanilla, and Vanilla with Nestle Crunch coating. If you like your ice cream packed with extras, Dreyer’s Loaded comes in Butterfinger and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, amongst others. They also carry nine delicious flavors of fruit bars, and six sherbets, including orange cream and tropical rainbow.

Located in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, the Hood ice cream company was established in 1846. Without a doubt, Hood ice cream is one of the very best! If basic great taste is what you are seeking, you need not look any further than the Hood brand for ice cream. Hood ice cream is not about pretentious, fancy, or modern, but instead focuses on simple, time-honored goodness. Hood ice cream comes in fifteen classic flavors including Holiday Eggnog, Spumoni, and the vanilla and chocolate checkerboard known as Patchwork. You can also find such unique ice creams as Boston Crme Pie, Martha’s Vineyard Black Raspberry, Mystic Lighthouse Mint, Vermont Maple Nut, and others in Hood’s New England Creamery Ice Cream.

There are many ice cream manufacturers in the United States. Some distribute their ice creams nationwide, while some only sell their products in specific locations. But these are some of the finest, and amongst them you will certainly find one or more ice creams that suits your liking!