Ice cream originated in China over 4000 years ago and was enjoyed by ancient cultures like the Persians and Romans. It became popular in Europe starting in the 16th century when recipes were taken from Italy to France and England. Hand-cranked ice cream churns were invented in the 1840s, making ice cream more widely available. The first ice cream factory opened in the 1850s and ice cream cones and chocolate-coated ice cream bars were invented in the late 1800s and early 1900s, contributing to ice cream's popularity today as there are now hundreds of varieties available.
Ice cream originated in China over 4000 years ago and was enjoyed by ancient cultures like the Persians and Romans. It became popular in Europe starting in the 16th century when recipes were taken from Italy to France and England. Hand-cranked ice cream churns were invented in the 1840s, making ice cream more widely available. The first ice cream factory opened in the 1850s and ice cream cones and chocolate-coated ice cream bars were invented in the late 1800s and early 1900s, contributing to ice cream's popularity today as there are now hundreds of varieties available.