Where did ice cream come from?
Ice cream developed over centuries. Ancient Persians and Chinese enjoyed chilled desserts made with snow or ice, and modern-style ice cream spread in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s.
Around 400 BC, Persians made a chilled treat by pouring grape juice over snow and stored ice in underground buildings called yakhchāls. In China, frozen mixtures of milk and rice may have been eaten around 200 BC. Roman emperors reportedly sent runners to mountains to fetch snow, which was flavored with fruit and honey.
In the 1600s, Italian cooks made sorbets and frozen desserts, and the idea spread to France and England. Recipes for ice cream appeared in European cookbooks in the late 1600s. Early ice cream was a luxury enjoyed by the rich, as ice was expensive to store.
Ice cream for everyone
In 1843, American Nancy Johnson patented a hand-cranked ice cream freezer, making it easier to produce. Refrigeration in the late 1800s and early 1900s made ice cream cheap and common. The ice cream cone became popular at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.
Did You Know?
Gelato, Italian ice cream, has less air and less fat than most American ice cream, giving it a denser, silkier texture.