Ice-Cream Brands

No matter where you go in the world, you’re likely to find ice-cream. Ice-cream is like bread - it’s ever-present, nearly always delicious, and also affordable. Ice-cream came into existence in 620 AD in China. King Tang of Shang ordered a treat made of flour and buffalo milk. Packed with snow, the results sounded eerily similar to ice-cream, and ice-cream historians (this is apparently a profession) were quick to dub China the birthplace of ice-cream. 

Once Marco Polo hit the open seas, it is suspected that his trips to China in the late 1200s/early 1300s influenced the eventual fabrication of ice-cream back in Italy. Today, Italy has its own type of ice-cream (gelato), and like pasta (also adopted from the Orient) it’s a national treasure. In Europe ice-cream hit its stride in France where ice-cream recipes literally exploded. By the 1700s nearly every country had their own take on the popular desert, and once the US declared independence, ice-cream followed. US President James Madison’s wife, the First Lady Dolley Madison, served ice-cream at Madison’s inaugural ball, and Baskin-Robbins was one of the first mainstream ice-cream shops in the US.

Ice-cream appears like one of those treats that’s tough to make. You’ve likely wondered, “how do they get those flavors packed into ice … and then make it creamy?” We’ve pondered the same, but believe it or not the process is not all that difficult. After you’ve chosen your flavor, combine everything into an electric mixer bowl and whip until the cream becomes stiff. After that it’s a matter of freezing the concoction, and six hours later, you’ve got ice-cream. Yes, that did sound easier than it is, but anyone can whip up ice-cream, it’s far from difficult. 

The US has a large number of popular ice-cream brands. One of the leaders is Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont giant that started in 1978 and continues to be a formidable force. Not only is Ben & Jerry’s delicious, but the names of their ice-cream are what set them apart. Names like Half Baked, The Tonight Dough, Americone Dream and Phish Food are fan favorites. 

Another well-known ice-cream brand is Breyers. This American classic has been around since 1866! Classic flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and vanilla don’t bring the name creativity that Ben & Jerry’s do, but Breyers fans swear by this brand and have been loyal for generations. Breyers also has some ancillary flavors that have gained popularity such as Vanilla Fudge Twirl and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. If you live in Texas, you’ll surely recognize this next brand - Blue Bell. Started in 1907, Blue Bell is a regional favorite with flavors like Southern Blackberry Cobbler, Cookie Two Step, The Great Divide and Moo-llenium Crunch.  

From here Häagen-Dazs (out of Brooklyn), Turkey Hill, and Halo Top round out the most popular sellers. But would you believe that the most popular selling ice-cream (taken from collective sales) are small, independent ice-cream brands? If you separate their sales alone, collectively they outsale the big players. This goes to show that ice-cream is still widely enjoyed, no matter the brand. 

No matter where you go in the world, you’re likely to find ice-cream. Ice-cream is like bread - it’s ever-present, nearly always delicious, and also affordable. Ice-cream came into existence in 620 AD in China. King Tang of Shang ordered a treat made of flour and buffalo milk. Packed with snow, the results sounded eerily similar to ice-cream, and ice-cream historians (this is apparently a profession) were quick to dub China the birthplace of ice-cream. 

Once Marco Polo hit the open seas, it is suspected that his trips to China in the late 1200s/early 1300s influenced the eventual fabrication of ice-cream back in Italy. Today, Italy has its own type of ice-cream (gelato), and like pasta (also adopted from the Orient) it’s a national treasure. In Europe ice-cream hit its stride in France where ice-cream recipes literally exploded. By the 1700s nearly every country had their own take on the popular desert, and once the US declared independence, ice-cream followed. US President James Madison’s wife, the First Lady Dolley Madison, served ice-cream at Madison’s inaugural ball, and Baskin-Robbins was one of the first mainstream ice-cream shops in the US.

Ice-cream appears like one of those treats that’s tough to make. You’ve likely wondered, “how do they get those flavors packed into ice … and then make it creamy?” We’ve pondered the same, but believe it or not the process is not all that difficult. After you’ve chosen your flavor, combine everything into an electric mixer bowl and whip until the cream becomes stiff. After that it’s a matter of freezing the concoction, and six hours later, you’ve got ice-cream. Yes, that did sound easier than it is, but anyone can whip up ice-cream, it’s far from difficult. 

The US has a large number of popular ice-cream brands. One of the leaders is Ben & Jerry’s, the Vermont giant that started in 1978 and continues to be a formidable force. Not only is Ben & Jerry’s delicious, but the names of their ice-cream are what set them apart. Names like Half Baked, The Tonight Dough, Americone Dream and Phish Food are fan favorites. 

Another well-known ice-cream brand is Breyers. This American classic has been around since 1866! Classic flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and vanilla don’t bring the name creativity that Ben & Jerry’s do, but Breyers fans swear by this brand and have been loyal for generations. Breyers also has some ancillary flavors that have gained popularity such as Vanilla Fudge Twirl and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. If you live in Texas, you’ll surely recognize this next brand - Blue Bell. Started in 1907, Blue Bell is a regional favorite with flavors like Southern Blackberry Cobbler, Cookie Two Step, The Great Divide and Moo-llenium Crunch.  

From here Häagen-Dazs (out of Brooklyn), Turkey Hill, and Halo Top round out the most popular sellers. But would you believe that the most popular selling ice-cream (taken from collective sales) are small, independent ice-cream brands? If you separate their sales alone, collectively they outsale the big players. This goes to show that ice-cream is still widely enjoyed, no matter the brand.