Ice cream, a much-loved frozen dessert is a universal treat that is cherished across cultures and generations.
Ice Cream has a rich history dating back to ancient Rome, Persia, and China and has evolved into a wide variety of flavours and styles throughout the years.
From classic vanilla to exotic fruit flavours, ice cream has become a staple dessert for many occasions.
But did you know that ice cream was originally created as a remedy for medical conditions like gout and scurvy? Or that fried ice cream was invented in Mexico, not Asia?
In this article, we will explore some fun and fascinating facts about ice cream that you may not have known before. Grab yourself a tub of homemade ice cream and a spoon and get ready to learn some cool and sweet facts about this delicious dessert!
Did You Know?
- Stressed spelled backward is Desserts!
- The first recorded instance of serving ice cream in a cone dates back to the late 19th century. The ice cream cone as we know it today gained popularity at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri.
- The ice cream van: a global phenomenon – Recognised by its flashy graphics, rounded roof, and screen doors, the ice cream van as we know it today is a British invention that’s been exported to every continent. While ice cream has been sold out of street carts and trucks for way over a century, the technology in most vans today was invented in Crewe, Cheshire, by refrigeration engineer Bryan Whitby in 1962. Bryan revolutionised the ice cream van by making the machines run directly from the engine, which meant the vans were a lot lighter and able to be built in their recognisable shape.
- The world’s largest ice cream factory is located in China and produces over 250,000 gallons of ice cream per day.
- The world’s largest ice cream truck is over 35 feet long and was made in California in 2015
- One of the first ice cream makers that operate similarly to automatic ones today was invented by English culinary entrepreneur Agnes Marshall in 1885. Dubbed the “Queen of ices” for her frozen desserts, Agnes was granted a patent for a machine that, while still hand-cranked, could supposedly freeze ice cream in five minutes and keep it smooth. She was also the first person to suggest using liquid nitrogen to freeze ice cream, which some industrial machines do today.
- The first recorded mention of ice cream in the United States was in a letter written in 1744 by a guest of Maryland Governor William Bladen
- The world’s largest ice cream sundae party was held in California in 1988 and served over 27,000 people
- The largest ice cream sundae ever made weighed over 24 tons (48,000 pounds). It was created in California in 1985
- The world’s largest ice cream sculpture, shaped like an 18th-century ship, weighed 925 kg (2,039.4 lb), used 1,715.54 litres (453.2 gals) of chocolate and vanilla ice cream and was created by Jacques Tokar, Antoine Tokar, and Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream. The ice cream sculpture measured 1.46 m (4 ft 10 in) x 1.304 m (5 ft 10 in) x 72.7 cm (2 ft 5 in) and was constructed using a chainsaw, hammer, and chisel.
- Sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia is the scientific term for the brain freeze you experience after eating ice cream.
- The tallest ice cream cone measures 3.08 m (10 ft 1.26 in) in height and was achieved by Hennig-Olsen Is AS and Trond L Wøien (both Norway) at Kristiansand, Norway, on 26 July 2015
- The world’s smallest ice cream cone was made in Italy and measured only 1.5 centimetres tall
- The record for the largest ice cream scoop weighed over 3,010 pounds (1,360 kilograms). It was created in Canada in 2014.
- The world’s largest ice cream weighed one tonne and took a whole month to freeze
- The most expensive ice cream sundae in the world, known as the “Golden Opulence Sundae,” is served at a restaurant in New York City and costs a whopping $1,000. It is made with rare ingredients, including 23-karat gold leaf and luxury chocolate.
- The world’s most popular ice cream brand is Häagen-Dazs
- The famous ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s was initially going to be a bagel company, but the high cost of bagel-making equipment led the founders to switch to ice cream instead.
- The world’s most expensive ice cream truck is the “Mister Softee” truck, which is worth over $1 million
- The average number of licks it takes to finish a single scoop ice cream cone is around 50, according to a scientific study (really? someone actually studied this?)
How About Some Inspiring/Funny Ice Cream Slogans?
Calories? I think you mean delicious points!
Life is short. Eat the ice cream first… and then eat some more!
I don’t need an excuse to eat ice cream. I need an excuse to stop!
Mint to be together!
I’m cone-fident this ice cream will be a hit!
If life gives you lemons, make lemon sorbet and leave the worries behind!
Ice cream is like a friend you can lick!
Ice cream is worth the brain freeze!
Ice cream is the cherry on top of your day!
Life is better with sprinkles and ice cream!
Deliciously cool, delightfully sweet.
Ice cream: the only time it’s acceptable to lick a stranger’s dessert.
Ice cream: the perfect companion for Netflix binges and emotional breakdowns
Brain freeze is just a brain’s way of saying, ‘I can’t handle this level of deliciousness!
Ice cream: the dessert that brings out the kid in all of us… and the stains on our shirts.
Ice cream: the perfect excuse to eat dessert for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I’m living the ice cream dream, one scoop at a time!
And Finally to Wrap Things Up
How do you keep an ice cream from running away? You “cone”vince it to stay!
What did one scoop of ice cream say to the other scoop? “You’re looking very cool today!
Why don’t law enforcers trust ice cream? Because it tends to be a little “flaky”!
Why did the ice cream truck driver go to the gym? To work on his cone-ditioning
Why did the ice cream truck driver get lost? He took the wrong turn at Rocky Road
We hope these jokes, fun and interesting facts, and ice cream puns brought a smile to your face today!
Next time you’re enjoying a scoop of ice cream, remember these silly jokes and let them add a little extra sweetness to your day.
Drop us a comment below with some of your Ice cream howlers, fun or interesting facts, or slogans we’d love to hear them.
And remember, ‘Ice cream – it is worth the brain freeze!’
Hi Cherie,
I absolutely love ice cream! It’s my favorite go-to dessert because of its endless flavor options and the fact that it’s perfect for any occasion.
Whether I’m celebrating a special event or just looking for a sweet treat to enjoy on a hot summer day, ice cream always hits the spot.
What is your favorite flavor or brand of ice cream, and why? I’m curious to find out.
Thank you for sharing.
Hey Eric,
Thanks for your comment.
So glad you enjoyed the article and that Ice Cream hits the spot for you. Absolutely agree (of course I’m going to), that Ice cream is great for any/every occasion.
My favourite? Ah, that is so hard. It’s like saying you have a favourite kid lol.
I guess I like curious flavours, something unexpected and that surprises me. Like Beetroot Ice cream, for example, it shouldn’t work but somehow does. Or Bacon and Maple Syrup, another really unexpected winner.
And yours? On that hot summer’s day, what flavour would satisfy your craving?
Thanks for asking and for your input.
Cherie :o)