On a warm day in 1963, two CIA agents had a mission at the Havana Libre Hotel in Cuba. They were supposed to sneak a poison pill into Fidel Castro’s chocolate milkshake. Castro, the Cuban leader, loved ice cream, and this was part of a plan to harm him. However, the pill got stuck in the freezer and broke, so the plan failed. Castro continued to enjoy his favorite treat for many more days.
Ice cream has been a part of human history for a long time. But where did it all start? The earliest stories of cold desserts and icy drinks go back to the first century. In ancient civilizations like Rome, Mughal India, and the Tang dynasty in China, these frozen treats were mostly for the rich and powerful. Making these icy delights wasn’t easy. Wealthy people in the Mediterranean sent workers to mountains to collect ice and snow. Meanwhile, ancient Persians used a clever method called sky cooling. They built shallow pools that would freeze overnight, creating ice.
The ice cream we know today came much later. It was inspired by a drink called sherbet, or “sharbat” in Arabic, which likely started in Persia. During the Middle Ages, this drink became popular, and European travelers brought the recipes back home. This led to new flavors like chocolate and even eggplant.
In 1692, an Italian chef named Antonio Latini wrote down a recipe for a milk-based dessert that some think was the first real ice cream. By the 18th century, ice cream spread to North America with European settlers. However, it was still a luxury because making it was hard work, and the ingredients like sugar, salt, and cream were expensive. George Washington, the first U.S. president, reportedly spent a huge amount of money on ice cream one summer.
In America, ice cream became more popular as people found ways to make it easier to produce. In 1843, Nancy Johnson from Philadelphia invented a machine with a crank and beater that made it simpler to make ice cream at home. Around the same time, Frederic Tudor, a businessman from New England, improved the ice trade, shipping tons of ice worldwide. Soon, ice cream was available everywhere.
In the late 1880s, Italian immigrants moved to cities like London, Glasgow, and New York. Many of them sold ice cream on the streets for just a penny. In America, people discovered that combining soda with ice cream was a hit, leading to the creation of soda fountains. When alcohol was banned in 1920, many bars turned into soda fountains, and breweries started making ice cream instead.
As technology improved, by the end of World War II, most American homes had freezers to store ice cream. Trucks with freezers full of treats became common. Today, ice cream continues to change and grow, but one thing is certain: our love for ice cream will never go away.
Create a timeline that traces the history of ice cream from ancient civilizations to modern times. Use the information from the article to highlight key events and innovations. You can draw this timeline on paper or use a digital tool. Be sure to include illustrations or images to make it visually engaging.
Research and recreate a simple version of an ancient ice cream recipe, such as a sherbet or a frozen dessert from the Tang dynasty. Work in groups to prepare the treat, and then share your creation with the class. Discuss the challenges ancient people might have faced in making these desserts.
Hold a debate on the economic impact of ice cream from its origins as a luxury item to its status as a common treat. Consider factors such as the cost of ingredients, technological advancements, and global trade. Divide into teams to argue whether ice cream was more beneficial as a luxury or as an everyday item.
Research how different cultures have adapted ice cream to their local tastes and ingredients. Create a presentation showcasing various international ice cream flavors and styles. Include interesting facts and images, and present your findings to the class.
Imagine you are an ice cream entrepreneur. Design a new ice cream flavor inspired by historical or cultural elements discussed in the article. Create a marketing plan that includes a catchy name, packaging design, and a target audience. Present your flavor and marketing strategy to the class.
On a warm spring afternoon in 1963, two individuals, sent by the American CIA, entered the cafeteria of the Havana Libre Hotel. Their mission was to retrieve a poison pill from the freezer and discreetly add it to the chocolate milkshake of Fidel Castro, the Cuban leader known for his fondness for ice cream. Although the specifics of the story are debated, it is said that the pill froze to the freezer coils and broke, thwarting the CIA’s plan and allowing Castro to enjoy many more days of his favorite treat.
Ice cream has played a significant role in our world’s history, culture, and cravings—but where did it originate? The earliest accounts of cold desserts and iced drinks date back to the first century. In ancient civilizations such as Rome, Mughal India, and Tang dynasty China, these icy delights were primarily enjoyed by the elite. The methods to create these frozen treats were not always straightforward. Wealthy Mediterranean nobles would send workers to high mountains to gather glacial ice and snow. Meanwhile, ancient Persians constructed shallow insulated pools of water and used a technique called sky cooling, which allowed the pools to cool at night, causing the water to freeze.
The cream-based dessert we recognize today emerged much later. It was originally inspired by sherbet, or sharbat in Arabic, an icy drink believed to have originated in Persia and gained popularity during the Middle Ages. European travelers brought sharbat recipes back home, leading to the creation of various flavors, including chocolate and even eggplant.
In 1692, Antonio Latini, a Neapolitan chef, documented a recipe for a unique milk-based version, which some historians consider the first ice cream. By the 18th century, ice cream began to spread as these recipes traveled with European settlers to North America. However, it remained a luxury primarily enjoyed by the upper classes due to the labor-intensive process and the high cost of its main ingredients—sugar, salt, and cream. George Washington reportedly spent the equivalent of $6,600 in today’s dollars on ice cream in one summer alone.
In America, the frozen dessert entered its golden age as inventors and entrepreneurs sought ways to make it accessible to the masses. In Philadelphia in 1843, Nancy Johnson patented an innovative ice cream-making machine featuring a crank and beater, simplifying the process for home cooks. By the mid-1830s, New England businessman Frederic Tudor had significantly improved the ice trade, shipping thousands of tons of ice to households worldwide. Soon, ice cream was available on every street corner.
In the late 1880s, political changes brought Italian immigrants to cities like London, Glasgow, and New York, where many became street vendors selling ice cream for about a penny each. At the same time, American druggists discovered the popularity of combining soda, which was thought to have therapeutic properties, with ice cream, leading to the creation of soda fountains. When the sale of alcohol was banned in 1920, many American saloons transformed into soda fountains, and breweries like Anheuser-Busch and Yuengling began producing ice cream.
As refrigeration technology advanced, by the end of World War II, most American homes had freezers capable of storing ice cream. Trucks could also be equipped with freezers full of frozen treats. Today, ice cream continues to evolve, and while some of its mysteries may remain unsolved, one thing is certain: our love for ice cream will never fade.
Ice Cream – A sweet frozen food made from milk or cream, often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavors. – In the 19th century, ice cream became a popular dessert in Europe and America, enjoyed by people of all ages.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding the history of food helps us learn how different cultures have influenced modern cuisine.
Ancient – Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence. – Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans had their own unique methods of food preservation.
Civilizations – Complex societies with cities, governments, art, and writing. – The Mayan and Aztec civilizations were known for their advanced agricultural techniques and diverse diets.
Dessert – A sweet course typically served at the end of a meal. – In medieval times, desserts were often made with honey and fruits, as sugar was a rare luxury.
Recipe – A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required. – The recipe for apple pie has evolved over centuries, with each culture adding its own twist.
Luxury – A state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense. – In the past, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg were considered a luxury and were used sparingly in cooking.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have allowed for the mass production of food, making it more accessible to people worldwide.
Flavors – The distinctive taste of a food or drink. – The introduction of new flavors from the Americas, such as chocolate and vanilla, revolutionized European desserts.
Global – Relating to the whole world; worldwide. – The global exchange of ingredients and cooking techniques has led to the diverse culinary landscape we enjoy today.
