| Ice cream is often called "The Great American | | | | leadership among all other countries in the |
| Dessert". Although the product is typically | | | | production of ice cream. The industry grew |
| American, the U.S. cannot claim its origin. | | | | slowly until about 1900, when the output of |
| Very little is known of the early history of | | | | ice cream did not exceed 25 to 30 million |
| ice cream; however, the product is definitely | | | | gallons per year. The annual production has |
| known to have been introduced from Europe. | | | | been on a continuously increasing rate, with |
| The ice cream industry as we know it today, | | | | production of both soft and hard ice cream |
| however was wholly developed in the United | | | | now at more than one billion gallons. This |
| States. | | | | represents a per capita consumption of more |
| | | | than 19 pounds. Approximately 9% of the total |
| Ice cream undoubtedly evolved from iced | | | | U.S. milk production is utilized by the ice |
| beverages and fruit ices that were popular in | | | | cream industry. |
| early medieval periods, some of which | | | | |
| probably contained milk or cream. The | | | | The types of dairy products that can be made |
| practice, in early times, of cooling drinks | | | | and served directly from dispensing freezers |
| in ice and snow containing salt is a matter | | | | are endless. There are literally hundreds of |
| of record. It seems possible that in | | | | formulas for ice cream mixes, ranging from |
| overcooling some of these punches, the "ice" | | | | plain vanilla to parfait (an extremely rich |
| was discovered. At any rate, various records | | | | mix, high in butterfat content and also |
| of frozen fruit flavored ices have been found | | | | containing fresh eggs). In addition, there |
| in European history and frozen ices are still | | | | are mixes for custard, sherberts, sorbets, |
| more popular in continental Europe than in | | | | frappes, souffles and milkshakes. All of |
| the United States and Canada. | | | | these products can be made in the standard |
| | | | soft ice cream or milkshake dispensing |
| The United States has gained undisputed | | | | freezer. |