The Chinese are generally credited for creating the first ice creams, possibly as early as 3000 BC. The Roman emperor Nero ordered ice to be brought from the mountains and combined with fruit toppings. Marco Polo is popularly cited for introducing these tasty concoctions to Italy. Today, with so many USA ice cream brands, flavors and varieties out there just choosing one is enough to give you a brain freeze!
The most popular flavor of ice cream is vanilla. Vanilla comes from the plant vanilla planifolia, grown mainly in Madagascar but also Mexico, parts of South America, Tahiti and islands off E. Africa. The vanilla extract produced from the plant in each of these areas has its own very distinct characteristics. Other popular ice cream flavors continue to be chocolate, fruit and nut flavors. The most popular topping for ice cream is chocolate syrup.
USA ice cream brands abound. Marble Slab Creamery is known for their waffle cones available in flavors ranging from Vanilla Cinnamon to Dark Chocolate. Marble Slab has gained wide popularity throughout America. Their homemade super premium ice creams are very delicious too. Their niche on the USA ice cream market is what they do with your ice cream after you decide what flavor you want to eat. Your ice cream will be scooped onto a frozen marble slab, where your choice of candy, fruit or nuts will be blended to make a tasty frozen treat.
Introduced 35 years ago, Haagen-Dazs claims to have introduced the world to super premium ice cream. They stand by the fact that their ice cream "is real ice cream, made from real ingredients, lovingly combined." If you have the urge to indulge yourself, try one of their great flavors including: apple cream pie, chocolate chocolate fudge or creme caramel pecan.
Established in 1920, Blue Bell is another solid contender in the world of USA ice cream. Their slogan, "we eat all we can and we sell the rest" is a familiar tune to most and they stand firm behind their belief that Blue Bell "makes their ice cream as good as they can - not how fast they can." They offer year round flavors as well as seasonal ice cream flavors.
Edy's was opened in 1928 by William Dreyer and Joseph Edy. Since then Edy's ice cream has become a familiar name throughout America. Edy's are responsible for creating an American classic - Rocky Road. Created during the depression, "Dreyer and Edy hoped the name would give people something to smile about." Edy's is also credited with concocting peppermint-flavored ice cream.
Blue Bunny received its name from a "Name that Ice Cream" contest with the prize being $25 cash in 1935. Be sure to check out Blue Bunny's pick of the week. They choose a favorite from every variety of ice cream they offer - try them all.
Known for flavors such as Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Phish Food Ice Cream, Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream shops have become a favorite across the USA as well as internationally. Ben&Jerry's entire menu totals over 50 great ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet products. They also have kosher ice cream products available. Everyone knows Baskin Robbins' famous motto - "31 Flavors." Since 1946, Baskin Robbins has developed over 950 flavors of ice cream.
With all these USA ice cream brands, you are sure to find something to tweak your taste buds!