Ice cream--it's something that everyone enjoys, especially on a hot summer's day. And even though we're currently in fall with winter gradually approaching, there are still plenty of reasons to enjoy a bowl in the comfort of your own home. Perhaps you've wondered where this tasty treat came from. Perhaps your curiosity has loomed about the subject, but it's never been satisfied, unlike your appetitive. Fear not, curiosity seekers, today, we'll be taking a look at the history of ice cream and its rise to prominence. 

Humble Beginnings 

While the exact origin of ice cream has been lost to the annals of history, there are variations of the dessert that can be found throughout the ages. In Ancient Rome, Emperor Nero was known for sending expeditions into the mountains to retrieve snow that was flavored with fruits and juices. (It makes one wonder if he had it while Rome burned.) Before that, Alexander the Great enjoyed ice mixed with honey and nectar. The credit for Ice cream is often bestowed on Marco Polo, who returned from Asia with a recipe that closely resembles what we now know as sherbet. Later, in the 1700s, a desert known as "creamed ice" was regularly found at the dining table of Charles I of England. 

Coming to America 

If 1776 is known as the year in which America declared its independence from Great Britain, 1777 can be remembered as the year in which the dessert became known to the American continent. Advertisements began appearing that claimed the dessert was now available "almost every day." When George Washington assumed the office of the presidency, it was reported that $200 was spent on the dessert. 

While the treat could be found in the newly formed United States, it was an exotic dish reserved for the upper classes. This changed during the 1800s when technological innovations allowed for ice cream to be produced in mass quantities for a country with a developing sweet tooth. Since that time, ice cream went on to become produced in a wide variety of flavors and served at corner stores and grocery shops. And now, the dessert can be manufactured from tofu and other dairy-free compounds to be served among those who choose to abstain from dairy. 

Scoop, cone, or sundae, there’s never a bad moment to enjoy!

Jake’s Ice Cream 

Whether the weather is hot, cold, or somewhere in the middle, Jake’s Ice Cream always serves up the most decadent offerings for those of us who call Sarasota and the surrounding areas home. For a menu and more information about us, scoop yourself on over to jakesicecreamonsiestakey.com.