Ice cream. The popular dairy (or dairy-free) creamy cold food that many of us as children begged to have as a treat. It comes in many different and unique colors and flavors including cookie dough, chocolate, vanilla, mint chocolate chip, and many more. Did you know that it can be dated as far back as 618-97 AD in China?
Emperor Tang of the Shang Dynasty first tasted honey flavored ice. To recreate this, he ordered 94 of his men to make a dish out of buffalo milk, flour and camphor (a substance that is currently used to make creams, ointments, and lotions). More flavors were created out of natural resources found in the wilderness.
The Chinese are also given credit for making the first ice cream machine. They created pots that were then filled a syrupy mixture. Then, they put that pot into a mixture of snow and salt to solidify it.
It is said that Marco Polo was the one who brought some form of ice cream (something like sherbet) to Italy. Then, Catherine de Medici brought the dessert to France. From there it diffused into different cultures and countries to now become the ice cream that we know today. In England, King Charles I was said to have enjoyed ice cream so much that he paid his chef to keep the recipe a secret from the public because it was a treat meant only for the royals.
Ice cream is something so commonplace now that it can be hard to imagine that once, hundreds of years ago, it didn’t even exist. Thankfully, the Chinese one day ate flavored ice, and well the rest is history.
Bibliography:
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/06/the-history-of-ice-cream/
https://www.idfa.org/news-views/media-kits/ice-cream/the-history-of-ice-cream
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/tech/ice-cream/newsid_3634000/3634978.stm
Wow, Joey, what an interesting article! Ice cream has always been a favorite dessert of mine — a special, sweet treat for after dinner. So, it is super surprising to learn that Emperor Tang had first tried to recreate ice cream with buffalo milk, flour, and camphor! I also learned that it can be dated as far back as 618-97 AD in China! Lastly, it was really interesting to read that the recipe for ice cream was actually kept a secret for only the royals! Thank you for sharing!
Great article! I had no idea that ice cream dated as far as 618-97AD in China. It’s cool how the first ice cream was made of buffalo milk, flour, and camphor. Overall, interesting article!
That’s super fascinating! Ice cream is widely regarded as a European dish. However, it was actually invented in China! “Honey flavored ice” sounds extremely tasty. Who knew that Chinese culture could be found in the delicious flavor of ice cream?
I didn’t know that ice cream originated in China! I also didn’t know that Marco Polo and Catherine de’Medici introduced ice cream to Europe. This was an interesting and informative article! I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Ice cream is one of my favorite desserts. My favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip. The picture is mouth-watering and looks very good. I did not know ice cream was made that long ago. It surprised me when the article said that.
Interesting article! It seems like almost any invention can date back to ancient China. Emperor Tang certainly had a delicious and exciting idea. Cultural diffusion does seem to have vast impacts especially when you consider its impacts on ice cream’s European history. I wonder who invented my favorite flavor of ice cream: chocolate. Anyways, keep up the delicious work!
Interesting article! I had no idea ice cream originated in China. It’s incredible that it dates back to 618-97 AD. I also didn’t know that Marco Polo introduced ice cream to Europe. It’s interesting that ice cream was originally mean for royalty and is now so common.
I personally love ice cream. This article really interesting. I was really shocked when I read that emperor tang first tasted honey flavored ice. I did not know that ice cream was dated back to 618-97 AD in China. I did nit knownthat the chinese made the first ice cream.
Very interesting article. I didn’t know that ice cream dated back so long! I often eat ice cream, and I didn’t know that the ice cream dated back so long ago. Also the image looks very appealing. Overall, very informative.
Interesting article! I never knew that China made one of the first ice cream machines! It’s so amazing to see that countries all around the world took the idea of how ice cream was made and put their own twist on it to call it their own. I guess now I know who to thank when I enjoy a cone of delicious ice cream! Thanks for sharing!
This is a very good article! Camphor is also used for rituals in Indian culture. I only knew that the Chinese invented gunpowder, paper, compass, acupuncture and civil service exam. I never knew they invented the desert that is so widely enjoyed by many. In fact, the spreading of ice cream to other parts of the western world is an example of cultural diffusion. Although it is very odd to think that ice cream flavors were once natural, for in our modern age many flavors are created artificially.
I love ice cream. It taste amazing. Some people say it’s only for summer but I say it’s for all year long. My friend’s parents own an ice cream shop. Great article!
Cool article! I love ice cream. The people who created ice cream must be geniuses. I really love ice cream with a bunch of sprinkles. I like so many flavors like mint chocolate chip and coffee ice cream.
The picture is mouth-watering and looks very good. I did not know ice cream was made that long ago. It surprised me when the article said that.
Great article! I had no idea that ice cream dated as far as 618-97AD in China. It’s cool how the first ice cream was made of buffalo milk, flour, and camphor. That is so different from the ice cream, that is made now.Overall, interesting article!
this was so interesting. I knew China was responsible for the creation of ice cream, but I didn’t know how long ago it happened. I definitely didn’t expect it to be 618-97 AD! Ancient China is so amazing! I can’t wait to share this fact with my friends the next time we eat ice cream!
Wow, I have never thought about the history of ice cream. I would have never thought it was from China. I thought Chinese people didn’t like eating cold foods. It’s crazy that Emperor Tang used such strange ingredients to make the ice cream. I am so glad the recipe is different now. Thank you for sharing!
I learned so much from this article. I know that China has invented a lot of things, but I didn’t think that ice cream would be one of them. This was surprising to me since I thought that most Chinese people don’t like ice cream. I can’t believe that ice cream was invented in China somewhere from 618-697 AD. It’s so interesting to see how ice cream has spread around the world, and how different flavors have been invented.
Wow, great article! I didn’t know that ice cream originated in China. I always thought that it was Marco Polo who first “discovered” it. It’s also really interesting how it was previously made with buffalo milk, not cow’s milk like today. It’s also fascinating how King Charles I only meant for the Royals to eat ice cream, and no one else. Nowadays, almost everyone has ice cream. I wonder if buffalo milk ice cream tastes different from our ice cream. Great Job!
Great article! I had no idea that ice cream was invented in China! I always assumed that ice cream originated in Italy. I was very surprised to learn that it was Marco Polo who brought ice cream to Italy from China. What was also interesting was how the Chinese made ice cream. I had no idea that the first ice cream was made out of buffalo milk, flour, and camphor. I also was very intrigued by the fact that the first ice cream in China was made from pots filled with a syrupy mixture. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, this article is so interesting. I never knew that China was first to produce ice cream, my favorite food. It is amazing that is dated back to 618 AD!! I do find it strange that only the king was allowed to eat ice cream because so many people today have ice cream in their freezers. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article. I hope you continue to write articles like this.
Little did I know that Chinese used buffalo milk and natural ingredients to create ice cream way back when. I was truly surprised to read that China created ice cream first. I think that the progression we have made as a society shows the development in ice cream making. We now have thousands of flavors and ice cream shops in our neighborhoods. Thank you for sharing and I loved the visuals as well !!
This was a very interesting Article. I did not know China was involved in the creation and development of Ice Cream. Without China we would not be able to have Ice Cream Making machines. It was fascinating that they created a dish out of Buffalo Milk. I enjoyed reading this article and i think everyone should have a chance to read this,
This article is extremely fascinating in different ways. One reason is probably due to the fact that it is surprising to most readers that a dessert like ice cream can have such a long history. I myself was surprised that it was originally the Chinese who invented the concept of ice cream. After reading this we can tell that people in the old days were not so stupid as we thought, since the people were creating machines already to produce ice cream. I have concluded a few important information after reading this article. First of all, we can tell how ice cream is so different compared to the ones we eat today since the article states that it was first created by using buffalo milk and ice. Secondly, we can identify the importance of interconnectedness. Without it I doubt that ice cream can spread that fast around the world. The process of interconnectedness with other people helps to reinforce both sides, whether it is improving economically, socially or culturally. Lastly, we can see how as time passes ice cream began to slowly lose it’s worth. We can tell by the last part of the article when it states that in Europe ice team is only for the royals but nowadays it is a common dessert that anyone can enjoy. In conclusion I think that this article is truly amazing I’m not just acknowledging people about the history of ice cream but also to let the readers compare the difference between the past and the present, this article is definitely worth sharing amongst people.
This was a very interesting Article. Little did I know that Chinese used buffalo milk and natural ingredients to create ice cream way back when. I do find it strange that only the king was allowed to eat ice cream because so many people today have ice cream in their freezers. Nowadays, almost everyone has ice cream. I wonder if buffalo milk ice cream tastes different from our ice cream. Great Job!
Very interesting! Ice cream is one of my favorite desserts! If I didn’t read this article, I would have never thought that ice cream originated in China. I also wouldn’t have known that ice cream started in the Shang Dynasty. Nowadays, many people just eat ice cream never really thinking where it came from and how it was made. Thanks for sharing!
his was so interesting. I knew China was responsible for the creation of ice cream, but I didn’t know how long ago it happened. I definitely didn’t expect it to be 618-97 AD! I do find it strange that only the king was allowed to eat ice cream because so many people today have ice cream in their freezers. Little did I know that Chinese used buffalo milk and natural ingredients to create ice cream way back when. I was truly surprised to read that China created ice cream first. It’s also really interesting how it was previously made with buffalo milk, not cow’s milk like today.
Great article! I didn’t know that ice cream dated as far as 618 AD in China. I always assumed that ice cream originated in Italy, so was very surprised to learn that it was Marco Polo who brought ice cream to Italy from China. Ice cream is my favorite dessert, so the thought that if I lived in the ancient times, I wouldn’t have had a change to eat it because I would be one of the common people kinda makes me sad but relieved at the same time. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting article! Didn’t know that emperors from the Shang Dynasty eat ice… I should probably try some honey over ice. Will it be good though? Anyways, this is an informative article. I learned a lot. Keep it up!
Interesting article Joey! I didn’t know that China was responsible for the creation of ice cream before I read this article. And I love ice cream a lot, it is one of my favorite dessert. Nowdays, I believe many people don’t really know where ice cream originate came from, so thanks for sharing this. Love it!
我很喜欢吃冰淇淋，但是我从来没想过冰淇淋会和中国有这么深的渊源。很有趣的文章，让我了解了更多的关于冰淇淋读历史和知识。美味佳肴可以遍布世界当然少不了各国之间的互相分享了
遍布世界的美味佳肴肯定少不了互相分享。喔很喜欢吃冰淇淋但是我并不知道冰淇淋和中国有这么真的渊源。现在我知道了更多的关于冰淇凌的历史文化和知识。我觉得我以后吃冰淇凌可能就能想到今天的这篇文章了
As a foodie, this article resonates with me personally. I have had experiences traveling the world trying diverse foods that represent different cultures, but none is as special as ice cream. This palette-cleanser can come in its Italian, Turkish and French varieties, as well as its Chinese cousin, unbeknownst to me. It’s interesting that I have learned this special element of Chinese culture, and I eagerly look forward to trying this treat when I return to China in the times to come. Thank you for your piece, Joey. I did appreciate it.
To think that this sweet treat existed as early as 1400 years ago…I didn’t know that ice cream originated in China! I love ice cream, personally. I wonder what the emperor tasted when he had his honey ice cream. I would love to try a recreation of that recipe.
Looks like another yummy article! I didn’t know that the earliest ice cream is different than we have today. Someday, we should recreate the original recipe. I really like ice cream and sorbet a lot, and this is something new about it’s origin. Maybe similar foods have the same origin…
hello! this article is really interesting. i learned that ice cream has such a long history. i am stunned. i love ice cream, but i didn’t know that it was really this old and that there were so many flavors i didn’t know about. great article!