National Vanilla Ice Cream Day is celebrated on July 23 and is a special occasion for this classic, beloved dessert. Vanilla ice cream is made by combining cream, sugar, and vanilla, and it is often used to enhance other ice cream flavors as well. It’s the most popular ice cream flavor worldwide, loved for its subtle taste that pairs well with many treats. You can enjoy vanilla ice cream between two biscuits, with pancakes, brownies, or cake, and for the adventurous, you might even try it in a plain chicken or bacon burger. Vanilla ice cream was so cherished that Thomas Jefferson, who played a big role in popularizing it in America, served it to almost every guest at the White House.
History of National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
National Vanilla Ice Cream Day is an unofficial holiday, so its origins are not very well-documented. However, it has been celebrated regularly since the year 2000. Since then, people across the country have enjoyed their favorite vanilla ice cream treat on July 23 every year.
Vanilla belongs to the orchid family, which includes over 25000 species. Native to Central America and the Caribbean, vanilla was first used by the Totonacs in Mexico. When the Aztecs conquered the Totonacs, they began mixing vanilla into their chocolate. As globalization spread, vanilla began reaching more places.
The Spanish brought vanilla to their home country, from where it spread to the rest of Europe and beyond. In Britain and Spain, vanilla was used in drinks like chocolate, tea, and coffee, much like the Aztecs did. It was not until vanilla reached France that it was first added to ice cream.
In American history, the credit for making vanilla ice cream a national treat goes to Thomas Jefferson. Known for his fascination with collecting recipes, Jefferson encountered vanilla ice cream during a visit to France in the 1780s, where it was a popular dessert. Upon returning to America, he introduced vanilla ice cream to his fellow citizens, helping to make it a beloved treat.
The vanilla ice cream recipe is considered a national treasure in the United States and is preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Less than two decades after Thomas Jedderson’s introduction of vanilla ice cream, recipes for it began appearing in various cookbooks. Some of the most popular books from that time were written by Hannah Glasses and Mary Randolph.
Americans quickly became fans of the mild-flavored and creamy vanilla ice cream. However, the main challenge was that producing vanilla was an expensive process, making it difficult for many Americans to enjoy it.
By 1841, a new technique was developed for hand-pollinating vanilla plants, which allowed for the commercial production of vanilla in different parts of the world.
Today, people around the world enjoy heaps of vanilla ice cream, thanks to the invention of the ice cream machine, which made the process much easier.
Nancy Johnson created the world’s first ice cream maker with a crank located outside the machine. This design allowed the crank to mix and scrape the ice cream simultaneously. Before this innovation, making ice cream was a much more time-consuming process.
Vanilla ice cream became one of the best-selling flavors due to its popularity and versatility. Today’s market offers a wide range of ice cream varieties and flavors, from mint chocolate and strawberry to cheesecake and cookie dough. But nothing beats the classic taste of vanilla ice cream, which remains a timeless and unique experience.
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| 700 A.D. (Salt and Ice Freezing Method) | Asia freezes its desserts using a salt and ice method that later on spreads due to Moors and Arabs. |
| 14th Century (Yuan Dynasty’s Ice Cream Invention) | The Yuan dynasty invents ice cream to be served at courts. |
| 1400s (Europeans Learn About Vanilla) | The Europeans discover the vanilla plant. |
| 1600s (Vanilla-Flavored Sweets) | Hugh Morgan, Queen Elizabeth I’s apothecary, uses vanilla for flavoring her desserts. |
| 1700s (Vanilla Ice Cream) | The French begin adding vanilla to ice cream. |
| 1780s (Vanilla Ice Cream Comes to America) | Sir Thomas Jefferson popularizes vanilla ice cream in the U.S. — not only does he serve it to all his guests at the White House, but he also pens the recipe for it. |
5 Interesting Facts About Vanilla Beans
- In the U.S., the law requires that all vanilla extracts must come from real vanilla.
- The world largely depends on Madagascar for its vanilla supply, as 75% of all vanilla comes from there.
- The vanilla plant belongs to the orchid family and is the only fruit-bearing plant in that entire family.
- Because of the labor-intensive process required to produce just a few pounds of vanilla beans, vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world, with saffron being the most expensive.
- A vanilla flower only lives for one day, so the seeds must be picked and dried quickly.
Frequently Ask Question
Why is vanilla ice cream the best?
Vanilla ice cream is the best because it has a simple, creamy taste and smooth texture. It also enhances and complements the flavors of other foods and drinks.
Is vanilla a fruit or a flower?
Vanilla comes from the pod of the vanilla flower. It’s a spice used to add flavor to different foods.
Where does vanilla come from?
Most vanilla comes from Madagascar, an island country in the Indian Ocean.
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