July was declared National Ice Cream Month in 1984 by President Reagan, with the 3rd Sunday in the month being National Ice Cream Day. It’s no surprise the United States has a National Ice Cream Month and a day since we are the second largest consumers of the cool treat. The U.S. only follows New Zealand, which consumes more ice cream per capita than any other country: 7.5 gallons per person each year. The average American consumes only about 5.5 gallons a year, or about 48 pints. About 87% of Americans have the dessert in their freezer at any given time. In the United States, California produces the most ice cream, with Indiana coming in second.
A cow gives enough milk to make two gallons of ice cream each day, which equals 730 gallons every year. It takes three gallons of milk to make one gallon of ice cream. About 9% of all milk that is produced in the United States is used to make the sweet treat.
While vanilla may be the most popular flavor, pecans are the most popular nuts and strawberries are the most popular fruit. Whipped cream, caramel, chocolate, hot fudge, and peanut butter cups are only some of the most popular toppings.
There is not an exact date ice cream was introduced, but it is known to reach back as far as the second century B.C. An early form of it was brought to Europe in the 1300s by Marco Polo, known today as sherbet. The cold dessert was introduced in America in the 1700s as a delicacy that was enjoyed by high society. The first ice cream parlor opened in New York in 1776. After the ice cream churn was invented in 1840, the first ice cream plant opened in 1851.
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Sources:
IceCream.com
Ben and Jerry’s
International Dairy Foods Association
International Dairy Foods Association: History of Ice Cream
Farm Flavor
Frozen Dessert Supplies