On August 2nd, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day encourages us to cool off with one of our favorite frozen treats. Whether it’s vanilla, strawberry or Neopolitan between two chocolate wafers, the dessert sure will hit the spot on a hot summer day.
The original ice cream sandwich sold for a penny in 1900 from a pushcart in the Bowery neighborhood of New York. Newspapers never identified the name of the vendor in articles that appeared across the country. However, the ice cream sandwiched between milk biscuits became a hit. Soon, pushcarts popped up around the city and country during the summer months selling the portable treats. Early pictures show beachgoers at Atlantic City getting their ice cream sandwichs for 1¢ each.
Once ice cream sandwiches became popular, recipes for home cooks filled the papers. The sandwich layers included everything from angel food and sponge cake to shortbread cookies. Restaurants offered the ice cream sandwich as a decadent dessert for travelers. By 1940, grocers sold sandwiches made with crispy wafers.
One account claims the modern ice cream sandwich with the chocolate wafer was invented in 1945 by Jerry Newberg. The ice cream maker sold his creation at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, PA. At the time, the storied location was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers.
If the chocolate brownie wafer doesn’t appeal to you, don’t hesitate to mix it up. All variety of cookies make excellent sandwich parts. Change up the ice cream, too. Around the world, ice cream sandwiches go by a variety of names including the Monaco Bar, Giant Sandwich, Maxibon, Cream Between, Vanilla Slice, and many more.
On July 25th, National Hot Fudge Sundae Day takes a turn representing National Ice Cream Month in delicious style. Feast on this tasty ice cream dessert that combines hot and cold with a cherry on top. Even more important to note, this dessert has been served since 1906.
Given that the hot fudge sundae is a variation of the classic sundae, making one is a cinch. Simply put a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream in a dish. Add hot fudge sauce. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and some nuts (if you like). Finally, add a single, bright-red, sweet, maraschino cherry.
While the oldest known record of an ice cream sundae is an Ithaca, NY advertisement, the originator of the dessert is still debated. The October 5, 1892 ad in the Ithaca Daily Journal spelled the ice cream treat with the conventional day of the week spelling – Sunday.
However, Two Rivers, Wisconsin claims Druggist Edward Berners served the first ice cream sundae in 1881. According to the story, customer George Hallauer ordered an ice cream soda on a Sunday. Ordinances at the time prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on the Sabbath. Even so, Berners came up with a compromise. He served the ice cream in a dish minus the soda.
Additionally, he topped it with chocolate syrup. Given the day, he called it a Sundae. One interesting catch – Berners was 18 at the time the story takes place.
Ithaca’s claim to the ice cream sundae takes place at Platt & Colt Pharmacy in 1892 where Reverend John M. Scott stops to order a bowl of ice cream. When Chester Platt, proprietor, began preparing the ice cream for his customer, he didn’t stop at just a couple of scoops of vanilla. Platt drizzled cherry syrup over the ice cream and topped them with a bright red, candied cherry. The dessert looked and tasted so delightful it required its own name. Since the day was Sunday, it was named for the day it was created. Ithaca also has historical evidence supporting the story, including an advertisement for a Cherry Sunday.
While out with friends, enjoy a Hot Fudge Sundae. Give a shout out to your favorite ice cream shop. Post on social media using #HotFudgeSundaeDay. No matter how, ice cream always brings a smile to everyone’s faces.
What makes I scream, and you scream! We all scream for ice cream of course! July is national ice cream month, and what a perfect time to cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor (or try what other weird flavors that exist out there).
Like with other foods, the exact origin of ice cream is unknown. What we do know, however, is that the origin of ice cream likely dates back a long time ago. For example, Nero of Rome was said to have enjoyed harvesting ice or snow, then flavoring it with honey or other flavorings. Alexander the Great supposedly enjoyed icy drinks that had flavorings such as honey or nectar.
The first instance of ice cream being in the Unite States, however, was in a letter in 1744 (the author of the letter was a guest of Governor William Bladen.). Early presidents also had a liking towards ice cream. In the summer of 1790, George Washington spent approximately $200 for ice cream (keep in mind that back then $200 was a fairly good sum of money).
Thomas Jefferson actually made his own recipe of ice cream too! Dolly Madison, the wife of President James Madison, served ice cream at the second inaugural ball. For a while, ice cream was only an occasional special treat, mainly for the rich.
In 1843, Nancy Johnson patented the hand crank ice cream maker. About 8 years later, in 1851, Jacob Fussell built the first ice cream factory. The invention of mechanical refrigeration helped kept large amounts of ice cream cool. Improvements and new inventions in technology helped ice cream spread towards the general public.
-You can make homemade ice cream in a bag! All you need is your ingredients (milk, sugar, and vanilla extract or other flavorings), ice, salt, and two plastic bags (one large one to hold the ice and salt, and one smaller one to put inside the large bag. The smaller bag hold’s your ingredients/eventual ice cream)
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.
On the third Wednesday of every May, we celebrate the icy delight that has come to be known as frozen juice slush.
Royal courts from ages past used to bring down freshly fallen snow from mountain tops and spread crushed berries and mashed fruit on top. Little has changed. Billions of servings later the refreshing taste of icy fruit slush still thrills all ages.
The world spins faster now. There just isn’t enough time to do everything that needs to be done. National Juice Slush Day dials back the pace and brings us to a more relaxed place. No Rush…Go Slush!
Cool Tropics founded National Juice Slush Day to celebrate the curiosity, creative energy, and joy of youth. For 25 years Cool Tropics has specialized in fun, nutritious and innovative snacks/beverages. Beginning as an equipment company marketing frozen slush, Cool Tropics changed course in 2008 to put a healthy twist on an old favorite. The result: an easy to serve100% Juice Slush pouch (no equipment required). K-12 was the ideal customer for the color, fun, and excitement of these nutritious new offerings. A perfect fit for menus, field trips, and special events. Smart Snack approved with natural colors and flavors. No sugar added. Branded partnerships with Welch’s and TGIF make Cool Tropics products a trusted family favorite. Find out how to join the fun at www.cool-tropics.com.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Celebrate National Juice Slush Day dancing in the sunshine like nobody’s watching. Sip on delicious juice slush and fire up some inspiration for that great American novel. Run, jump or climb for the joy of it. Sing up to the stars between refreshing tastes or just chill poolside. Share your favorite flavors and stories by using #NationalJuiceSlushDay on social media.
