10 things about... ice cream
You can also see: 10 things about...ice cream, easter eggs, pigs, turkeys, beavers, nettles, marshmallows, pumpkins.
At least 10 things you might not know (and maybe one or two made-up “facts”)
The cut-throat world of ice cream history is littered with claims and counter-claims about who first discovered it. Alexander the third of Macedonia (356-323 BC), modestly known to friends and enemies alike as Alexander the Great, was apparently partial to a bit of snow flavoured with nectar and honey. After a long campaign against the Persians crushed nuts was also undoubtedly an option.
- However, almost 1,000 years before Alexander stalked the earth there were ice houses in China which could keep ice frozen even throughout the summer. The first frozen dessert recipe that comes anywhere near to resembling modern-day ice cream dates from the first century and was found in China. It used a mixture of cow, horse, water buffalo and goat milk.
- It wasn’t until the 17th Century that an ice cream recognisable by today’s standard was supposedly invented by Francesco Procopio. It was made from cream, eggs and sugar. The first ice cream on a stick wasn’t produced until 1920.
- The most popular flavour of ice cream is... vanilla! Chocolate comes second with strawberry third.
- Among the more unusual flavours of ice cream to have been manufactured are avocado, garlic, adzuki bean, jalapeno, mushy pea and pumpkin. Blue cheese, pepper, chilli and even black pudding flavours are still available today, but most probably not in your local shops!
- A standard single-scoop ice cream cone takes approximately 50 licks to finish.
- On average each person in the UK consumes approximately 9 litres of ice cream per year. In the USA, home to the biggest per capita consumers of ice cream in the world, they manage 20 litres each.
“Scientists” have supposedly proved that ice cream can make you happy! A claim has been made that when you eat ice cream the part of your frontal brain that is associated with happiness is activated.
- One of the major ingredients of ice cream is air. It would be far too hard to enjoy it without any. Occasionally ice cream contains animal fats and gelatine so it is important to check the ingredients if possible. When in doubt, just look for the Vegetarian Society approved symbol.
- A recent survey concluded that about 13% of males and 8% of females admit to licking the bowl clean after eating ice cream. 20% of people share their treat with their cat or dog.
Did you spot the 'untruths'? Let us know which "fact" you think is false and if you think you can come up with something better why not get creative and make up one of your own to replace it?! We'll give everyone who enters a "Love Us, Not Eat Us" animal window sticker and put the best online. Email education@vegsoc.org (and don't forget to include your name and address if you would like a window sticker!)
You can also see: 10 things about...ice cream, easter eggs, pigs, turkeys, beavers, nettles, marshmallows, pumpkins.