In 1963, a CIA plot to poison Fidel Castro's milkshake failed, highlighting ice cream's fascinating history. Ice cream dates back to ancient civilizations where it was a luxury for the elite, requiring labor-intensive methods to obtain ice.
The modern cream-based treat evolved from Persian sherbet, with European adaptations leading to the first milk-based recipe in 1692. Ice cream's popularity soared in 18th-century America, despite being a luxury item. Innovations like Nancy Johnson's 1843 ice cream maker and Frederic Tudor's ice trade made it more accessible.
Italian immigrants and American druggists popularized it further, transforming ice cream into a ubiquitous treat. The advent of refrigeration technology post-World War II cemented its place in American households. Today, ice cream continues to evolve, reflecting its enduring appeal.
Vocabulary:
• CIA: Central Intelligence Agency, the American intelligence service.
• Foiling: Preventing from succeeding.
• Devour: To eat quickly and eagerly.
• Icy: Very cold, often referring to frozen desserts.
• Radiate: To emit energy, especially heat.
• Sharbat: A sweet, flavored drink from the Middle East.
• Neapolitan: Relating to Naples, Italy.
• Laborious: Requiring considerable effort and time.
• Saloons: Public bars or taverns.
• Refrigeration: The process of cooling or keeping something cold.
• Entrepreneurs: People who start and run their own businesses.
• Immigrants: People who move to a foreign country for permanent residence.
• Therapeutic: Having healing or beneficial properties.
• Prohibition: The period from 1920 to 1933 in the U.S. when alcohol was banned.
Sourced: Ted-Ed