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Ice Cream, frozen custard, frozen yogurt, sorbet, gelato...whatever you want to call it, this treat is a year 'round favorite that rises in popularity at about the same rate as the temperature gauge.
Not surprising that ice cream's origins can be traced back to the 4th century B.C. There are references that Nero (A.D. 37-68) ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and covered with fruit and of King Tang (A.D. 618-97) of China who had developed an ice and milk concoction.
Here in the U.S. Presidents Washington and Jefferson served it to their guests and Governor Bladen of Maryland served it to his guests in 1700. A newspaper article from 1774 shows ice cream for sale by a London caterer and Dolly Madison served it in 1812.
America's first Ice Cream Parlor was opened in New York City in 1776. The colonists were the first to use the term "ice cream" which was an abbreviation from "iced cream".
America's oldest ice cream company is Bassetts which has been dishing up the treat at the historic Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, PA since 1893. According to their website, Lewis Dubois Bassett, a Quaker school teacher and farmer began making ice cream in 1861 in his backyard using a mule-turned churn. In 1885 Lewis began selling his ice cream at 5th & Market Streets in Philadelphia and moved to the Reading Terminal Market in 1893.
It didn't take much longer for the edible ice cream cone to emerge on the American scene. In 1904 at the Saint Louis World's Fair - also known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition - vendors were offering a walk away edible ice cream cone. Previously, paper and metal were used and it is reported that edible cones were being used in England prior to 1904. Legend has it that an ice cream vendor at the fair ran out of containers for his ice cream and teamed up with another vendor selling zalabia -Middle Eastern pastries that resemble waffles - to launch the ice cream cone.
What progressive doesn't love Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream? Only one U.S. President has his own Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor.
The notoriously liberal ice cream company has put out more than a few politically charged flavors in its 34 years. From the pro-gay marriage “Hubby Hubby” to the anti-super PAC “Americone Dream,” the popular pints have been making political statements for decades.
Only once, though, has the company delved into presidential politics. In honor of Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, Ben & Jerry’s launched “Yes Pecan,” a play on Obama’s campaign slogan “Yes We Can,” making Obama the only president in history to have a Ben & Jerry’s flavor created in his honor.
The company described the butter pecan-style flavor as “an Inspirational Blend! Amber Waves of Buttery Ice Cream With Roasted Non-Partisan Pecans.” It was sold only in scoop shops for about a month and all proceeds from the flavor went to charity.
“It was an opportunity for us to recognize a historic moment for our country when Barack Obama was coming in,” Ben & Jerry’s spokesman Sean Greenwood said. “There was so much hype around that election.”
I never fail to appreciate these creative suggestions for a George W Bush flavor from Ben & Jerry's:
Grape Depression Abu Grape Cluster Fudge
Nut'n Accomplished Iraqi Road Chock 'n Awe
WireTapioca Impeach Cobbler Guantanmallow
imPeachmint Heck of a job, Brownie Neocon Politan
RockyRoad to Fascism The Reese's-cession Cookie D'oh
The Housing Crunch Nougalar Proliferation Credit Crunch
Country Pumpkin Chunky Monkey in Chief WM Delicious
Chocolate Chimp Bloody Sundae Caramel Preemptive Stripe
I'll end up with a classic...Eddie Murphy's
The Ice Cream Man (this is the edited version so it is safe to play in mixed company - if you want the unedited version you can click
here)