National Ice Cream Day – July 18
National Ice Cream Day – July 18
National Ice Cream Day – July 18
National Ice Cream Day – July 18
National Ice Cream Day – July 18
The quintessential summer treat has to be ice cream. Whether it is vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, there is no doubt that Americans love ice cream. The International Dairy Foods Association states that the average American consumes about 22 pounds of ice cream and frozen desserts each year. Ice cream has a $13.1 billion impact on the U.S. economy annually, and July is the busiest month for ice cream producers.
Who Invented Ice Cream?
No one person is responsible for ice cream. The Bible refers to ice drinks being served during the harvest. Alexander the Great reportedly drank iced drinks flavored with wine. Some historians estimate that ice cream was enjoyed in ancient China as far back as the seventh century, where the emperors of the Tang Dynasty enjoyed frozen concoctions made with milk. About 1,000 years later, in 1660, an Italian man created gelato, an Italian frozen dessert that is often compared to ice cream. The European settlers brought ice cream to America. Many of the first presidents loved the treat and made it even more popular.
President Reagan Celebrated Ice Cream
Reagan commemorated America’s love of ice cream by declaring July as National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. Ice cream is a good source of calcium, which builds strong teeth and bones. Enjoyed in moderation, ice cream is an indulgent treat. The negative is that it does have sugar.
