September is National Blueberry Popsicle Month and a time to honor the creator of this tasty treat.
At age 11, Frank Epperson of Oakland, California, probably had no idea a simple mistake would make him an icon in the world of frozen treats. In 1905, Epperson accidentally left a glass of powdered soda and water with a mixing stick in it on his porch during a cold night. When he woke the next morning, he found his first creation of the ice pop. Blueberry to be exact. In 1923, Epperson patented the concept of ice pops. He initially called the treat “Epsicle” and later called it the “Popsicle.” A couple of years later, Epperson sold the rights to his invention the Joe Lowe Company in New York City.
Frank Epperson reportedly served the first ice pops at a fireman’s ball in Oakland, California. Since then, the Popsicle brand sells about two billion of their frozen treats a year. Though the most popular flavor is cherry. Blueberry popsicles have a few other variations to choose from besides the standard frozen ice pop. There is a Blueberry Greek Yogurt Popsicle and Blueberry Cheesecake Popsicle available too. If you prefer to make authentic ice pops, there are ice pop molds available for purchase. Martha Stewart is among those to have published recipes for blueberry pops.
In the heat of summer, National Freezer Pop Day brings the sweet chill of relief! On July 8th, grab one of America’s favorite ways to cool off with a frozen sweet treat.
Freezer pops have a long history – one that’s over 60 years old. And that history includes kids and summer fun. What’s better than getting outdoors and spending time with friends and family? Well, perhaps cooling off with a freezer full of freezer pops in every flavor of the rainbow.
Summer is one of the best times of the year. It’s important to keep the freezer or cooler stocked with freezer pops of all varieties and textures. There’s one for people of all ages! They make the summer even better and more memorable. And they’re shareable, too. Everyone has their favorite flavor, and you know which one it is by looking in the seemingly always near-empty freezer or cooler. From lazy summer days to busy sporting events, these portable treats please even the pickiest crowd.
NATIONAL FREEZER POP DAY HISTORY
The Jel Sert Co. founded National Freezer Pop Day in 2020 to celebrate the summer and being a kid with freezer pops. The Jel Sert Co. is the maker of Fla-Vor-Ice, Otter Pops, Pop Ice, Kool Pops, All Sport, and Wyler’s Authentic Italian Ice.
Stock your freezer with freezer pops. Enjoy your favorite flavor and include a friend or family member in the experience. Share your summer day with us by using #NationalFreezerPopDay on social media.
The last Thursday of June is reserved for enjoying a summertime favorite. It’s National Bomb Pop Day! Invented in 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri, Bomb Pops are also known as the red, white and blue Popsicle. Having one of these frozen treats is a terrific way to kick off the upcoming 4th of July celebrations in your community!
History
On July 30, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy created the Bomb Pop. Bomb Pop was given a trademark in 1971. Merritt Foods, owned by D.S. Abernethy, closed its doors in 1991, and Wells’ Dairy acquired the firm, along with Bomb Pops.
The Walt Disney Company and Wells’ Dairy agreed to jointly produce Buzz Lightyear Bomb Pops in 2003.
There have been several legal disputes between rivals selling similar-looking popsicles in 2014, but they were ultimately resolved.
Today….
The Bomb Pop is a frozen treat that Wells Enterprises now produces. Cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavorings are present in the original flavor. There are nine primary Bomb Pop varieties as of 2015.[ Presently available varieties of Bomb Pop include Original, Fruit Bomb, Watermelon, Hawaiian Punch, Warheads, Jolly Rancher, Original Sugar Free, Banana Fudge, Lemonade, Tongue Splashers, and Nerds.
Here are some additional details that you may find interesting:
It is a popular treat for Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
The Bomb Pop is also known as the Firecracker Popsicle.
The name “Bomb Pop” was inspired by the Cold War, which was happening at the time the popsicle was invented.
May 27 calls for warm weather and sunshine so we can recognize National Grape Popsicle Day.
In San Francisco, California, in 1905, 11-yr-old Frank Epperson was outside on his porch, mixing water with a white powdered flavoring to make soda. Upon going inside, he left it there on the porch with the stirring stick still in it. That night the temperature reached a record low and the following morning, Frank discovered the drink had frozen to the stick.
Years later, in 1922, Epperson introduced his treat at a fireman’s ball where it was a huge success. Then in 1923, he made and sold his frozen treat-on-a-stick at an amusement park in Alameda, California. Epperson applied for a patent in 1924 for his frozen confectionery, which he called “Epsicle” ice pop. He then renamed it “Popsicle“.
Popsicles are one of summertime’s favorite treats for kids of all ages. National Grape Popsicle Day honors one of the most popular flavors!
I remember how much fun we had making our own, then enjoying them on a hot summer day. I hope to pass this fun summer treat on to my nieces and nephews. There’s nothing better than summer as a kid. We played outside, begged to run through the sprinklers, and enjoy picnics, barbeques, and popsicles.
National Frozen Food Day recognizes the preservation feat that freezing fruits, vegetables, and meats have been on modern life. Celebrated each year on March 6th, the observance takes a look at how frozen food impacts our daily lives, its history, and how far it has come.
Flash Freezing
The frozen food aisle is as standard in the grocery store today as ATMs and self-checkouts. It’s also a convenience we don’t give a second thought to unless the power goes out. The American inventor, entrepreneur, and naturalist Clarence Frank Birdseye II receives credit for developing the method for the flash freezing preserve flavor and quality of foods. Today, we see his name in nearly every canned goods and frozen food aisle in every grocery store in America.
While food preservation by freezing wasn’t new, Birdseye discovered the key was freezing the food quickly. Flash freezing forms small ice crystals, which prevent the cell walls from bursting. Large ice crystals turn the food to mush.
Birdseye applied for many patents, but one of his earliest is from 1927 for a process to flash freeze foods. Consider that in 1930 only 8 percent of American households had refrigeration units in their homes. A frozen food patent in 1927 was a visionary step in a long chain of events to make frozen foods a marketable product.
In 1930, the Birdseye label, owned by the General Food Corporation, began selling 26 products to 18 retails stores in and around Springfield, Massachusetts. Clarence Birdseye continued his work with General Foods Corporation.
Birdseye died on October 7, 1956, but the name and products he inspired continue today.
In 1954, Swanson introduced the first frozen dinners. At the time, the consumers knew them as TV dinners since they were designed to be eaten in front of the newly popular television. Special folding trays, called TV trays, stored conveniently away when not in use. But when dinner time rolled around, they unfolded for each person’s TV dinner. Everyone gathered around the television to enjoy their meal. These pre-cooked meals only needed to be heated through in the oven to be ready to eat. No cooking skills were required. Pre-heat the oven, cook for the required length of time and eat.
The invention of the microwave also changed the types of frozen foods and just how convenient these items can be. Over the years, other frozen foods have developed to meet consumer demand. Various family-sized meals, health conscience meals, and even organic meals have hit the markets in recent years.
Even better make your own. Freezer meals have gained wide spread fame. 1 day of prep will fill your freezer with easy weeknight meals. By preparing them yourself they can be customized for your diet and taste. My husband is diabetic so controlling the foods in them makes it better for his health and easier for me.
You can find even more of my recipes here. While they are not all freezer meals, they are delicious and easy.
NATIONAL FROZEN FOOD DAY HISTORY
President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5157 in which it said: “Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 6, 1984, as Frozen Food Day, and I call upon the American people to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFrozenFoodDay
Take a trip to your local grocery store and find one of your favorites in the frozen food aisle!! Use #NationalFrozenFoodDay to post on social media.
