Ice cream was presumably invented in China around 2000 BC. However, before the invention of the refrigerating machine by Carl von Linde in 1876 the preparation of this cold delight was very tedious. In those days, ice and snow from the nearest mountains and glaciers, which was flavoured with cinnamon, fruit puree or rose water, was used to prepare the frozen treat. Because of the difficulties obtaining it, only the upper class could afford ice cream.

It was not until 1790, that the first ice cream machine was invented. The first ice cream factory opened in 1851 in Baltimore (USA). In 1864, the first ice cream as it is known today was produced.

Today, the main ingredients are put in a big pot before they are mixed and pasteurised (i.e. heated for a short period of time to kill the bacteria and microorganisms that are probably present). The mixture is thoroughly stirred, cooled, funnelled into a freezing container and whipped until everything is properly combined. The partially frozen ice cream is taken from the freezing container and poured into smaller vessels, which are stored in a cold storage room until the ice cream has become solid.

• Ice cream is made of sugar, milk, skimmed milk, cream or butter and has to contain at least ten percent milk fat.
• Single ice cream can be distinguished from ice cream by its noticeably lower content of milk fat (three percent).
• Water ice consists of sugar, water, fresh fruits, fruit pulp or fruit puree and natural flavours. The fruit content has to be 20 percent or more (ten percent for lemon ice cream).
• Ice cream made of milk is distinguished by its very high milk content (a minimum of 70 percent).
• Ice cream made of cream contains 60 percent cream at least and additionally sugar and natural flavours.
• Creamy ice cream is made of eggs, sugar, milk and natural flavours. A minimum of 270 g of whole egg or 100g of egg yolk per litre of milk are used.
• Artificial ice cream may contain artificial flavours and can be coloured with artificial colours.

Some Do It Yourself Recipes

Ingredients (3 servings):

• 300 ml milk
• 50 mL cream
• 1 Vanilla bean
• egg yolks
• 30-40g sugar

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 300 g fruits (e.g. strawberries, cherries, blueberries, brambles,...)
• 300 g cream yoghurt
• 50 g sugar
• 1 packet of vanilla sugar
• Juice of half a lemon

Clean and puree the strawberries (or any other fruit) and set aside a couple of whole fruits as decoration. Combine the puree with the yoghurt and add the sugar, the vanilla sugar and the lemon juice. Put the mixture in a fresh dish and freeze it. Don’t forget to stir it from time to time. Decorate the ice cream with the fruit and serve it.

Prepared ice cream can be stored in a freezer for several months.