Did you know that ice cream was a popular treat in the Tang Dynasty? Did you also know that it was made from animal milk, or that people in the 20th century started to make it with artificial flavors and colors?
Ancient Civilisations Loved Ice Cream
The history of ice cream goes back much farther than most people realize. Before modern ice cream became an everyday treat, it was rare and expensive to make. During the Roman Empire, it was popular among the elite. Ice cream was therefore a treat reserved for the rich.
In the middle ages, sugar began to be manufactured, making the creation of the “sorbetto” a reality. Sugar cane was also introduced to make the mix lighter and creamier.
New cooling methods and products were developed during the Middle Ages. Iced milk became a common delicacy, though it was still primarily enjoyed by the rich and nobility.
After the Middle Ages, ice cream began to make its way from Italy to England. It was becoming more accessible to the public in the late 17th century. Many cookbooks published instructions for how to prepare it.
Agnes Marshall, a woman who invented ice cream makers, helped popularize the treat. She was also present at a demonstration at The Royal Institution.
Origins in the Tang Dynasty
Ice cream dates back to the Tang Dynasty. This dynasty spanned 618 to 97 AD and included China, Korea Vietnam, Mongolia, and Vietnam. In fact, some historians argue that ice cream originated in the Mongol Empire.
Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty, was an avid milk drinker. He was a passionate milk drinker and created ice cream. He added preserves and jams to the milk and then mixed it with ice.
After several hundred years of development, ice cream became a popular dessert for most families. Today, ice cream comes in many different flavors. The most popular flavors are vanilla, chocolate, caramel and strawberry.
Ancient Chinese ice cream recipe is similar to the Indian Kulfi. The ingredients were buffalo or cow milk, flour, camphor, and other ingredients. The mixture was then cooled and placed in a bowl of ice. It remained in the pool for a period of time.
Origins in The 20th Century
Ice cream is an American treat that many people love. It has a very long history. The earliest evidence of ice cream making is from China during the Tang Dynasty.
Ancient Chinese records mention frozen milk and rice. They also mention kumis which is a yogurt-like drink made with mare’s milk. These are considered the earliest forms of ice cream.
Alexander the Great enjoyed icy drinks with wine. To harvest ice from the mountains, he had thirty slaves dig trenches. The ice was then shipped to the city.
Ice cream was sold in Europe during the 1840s. In the early 19th century, ice was imported from Canada to Norway. In America, the first commercial ice cream was produced in Baltimore.
The 19th century was the era when Italians, a population with strong ties to ice cream, dominated the ice cream industry in Britain. After 1860, large numbers of Italians fled to the United States.
The introduction of a machine for making ice cream in 1843 simplified the process. Ice was put in a bucket and a crank was turned to produce a smooth, creamy texture.
There Is a Difference Between Gelato and Ice Cream
Ice cream and gelato can be described as two types of frozen desserts. Both are made from dairy products and sugar, but there are differences between the ingredients and processes used in each.
Gelato is made with fewer eggs than ice cream. While egg yolks create a fluffy, creamy texture, they are not always used.
Gelato is often served at a higher temperature than ice cream. This allows the palate to be more numb and the flavors to be better experienced. The soft, smooth texture is also influenced by the temperature.
Gelato contains less butterfat and fat than ice cream. Gelato has a low fat content, with a range of 4-8 percent, whereas ice cream can have 14-25 percent. Gelato has a lower fat content so flavors are more evident.
The amount of fat in gelato is determined by the amount of milk and cream used. Gelato is usually low in saturated fat, which means it is suitable for diabetics.
Gelato, despite being low in fat and high in calories, is still very healthy. In fact, a half-cup serving of vanilla gelato can contain over 160 calories.
Beyond the realm of flavor and technique, Adriano recognizes the importance of sustainability and conscious consumption. His writing often explores eco-friendly practices within the ice cream industry, highlighting the use of locally sourced ingredients, reducing waste, and supporting ethical production methods.
