Ice cream

Lore & Background

The origins of frozen desserts are obscure, though several accounts exist. According to some sources, the history of ice cream begins in ancient Persia around 550 BC, where engineering techniques for storing and using ice led to the forerunner of all frozen desserts. A Roman cookbook from the 1st century includes recipes for sweet desserts sprinkled with snow, and Persian records from the 2nd century describe sweetened drinks chilled with ice. In Japan, kakigōri, a dessert of shaved ice and syrup, dates to the Heian period, as noted in The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon.

Reader's Guide

Ice cream's significance lies in its long evolution from ancient chilled treats to a globally popular frozen dessert. The earliest known written process to artificially make ice appears in 13th-century writings of Syrian historian Ibn Abi Usaybi'a, who attributes it to an older author, Ibn Bakhtawayhi. The technique of freezing using salt and ice became known in Europe during the 16th century, and by the late 17th century sorbets and ice creams were made this way. Ice cream's spread is sometimes attributed to Moorish traders or Marco Polo, though these claims lack evidence. Today, ice cream is sold in parlors, carts, and stands, and includes many variants such as gelato, frozen custard, soft serve, frozen yoghurt, sorbet, and dairy-free alternatives. Legal definitions vary by country, regulating terms like 'ice cream' and 'frozen dairy dessert' based on butterfat content.

Did You Know?

• The earliest known written process to artificially make ice is from the 13th-century writings of Syrian historian Ibn Abi Usaybi'a.