This day made for ice cream lovers
Here’s the scoop: Americans love ice cream.
In a cup or atop a cone, doused in caramel or dipped in fudge, Americans consume about 23 gallons of ice cream a year - vanilla, chocolate and cookies and cream round out the top three favorite f lavors - according to the International Dairy Foods Association.
So it’s no wonder there’s not only an entire day, but an entire month — July — dedicated to sweet dairy dessert.
The origin of ice cream is as complex as the flavors Ben & Jerry’s packs into its pint-sized concoctions. No specific person is credited with its formulation. It’s believed that Alexander the Great was said to be fond of snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. The Roman Emperor Nero would send runners to the mountains to fetch snow and douse it with fruit juices. The Chinese emperors of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) were among the first to nosh on a frozen creation of milk, flour and camphor that most closely resembles modern-day ice cream. Centuries later Marco Polo is believed to have brought it back from his travels to the Far East.
America’s affinity for the frozen treat also dates back centuries. In the summer of 1790, George Washington is believed to have spent $200 (equivalent to $5,400 today) to satisfy his craving for the creamy confection. President Thomas Jefferson was an ice cream aficionado who perfected an 18-step recipe for an ice cream delicacy that resembles a Baked Alaska.
The presidential predilection for ice cream continued into the 20th century. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month - July 19 this year - as National Ice Cream Day.
In the proclamation, Reagan declared, “Ice cream is a nutritious and wholesome food, enjoyed by over 90% of the people in the United States. It enjoys a reputation as the perfect dessert and snack food.”
That it does and to celebrate National Ice Cream Day, several shops and ice cream purveyors are offering discounts on the creamy, sweet treats. So, cool down and scoop up these deals this Sunday:
Cold Stone Creamery: Join My Cold Stone Club Rewards and you’ll get a buy one, get one free Creation coupon among other offers.
Cumberland Farms: Text the word SCOOPS to 64827 to receive $1 off any pint of Ultimate Scoops at any of Cumberland Farms’ locations.
Dairy Queen: Get $1 off any size Dipped Cone (with the exception of kid cones).
Friendly’s: The eatery turns 85 on July 18, and in honor of its anniversary and National Ice Cream Day you can enjoy a cone for just 85 cents both Saturday and Sunday. You’ll need to be a member of the BFF loyalty program. It’s free to sign up online at friendlys.com or by downloading the restaurant’s mobile app.
Stewart’s Shops: Enjoy a Make-your-own Sundae for $1.99 (regularly $3.99).
Whole Foods: If you’re an Amazon Prime member you can take 35 percent off all ice cream and frozen treats through July 21.
They may not be hosting any special promotions for National Ice Cream Day, but here are a few of the most popular ice cream stands in the Capital Region, according to Times Union readers. Be mindful of social-distancing measures in place.
The Snowman Ice Cream, 531 Fifth Ave, Troy. Celebrating more than 50 years, the familyowned business boasts more than 30 flavors of homemade ice cream, yogurts and sherbets.
Guptill’s Coney Express, 1085 New Loudon Road, Cohoes. Can’t decide between hard and soft ice cream? No worries. Here you’ll find 80 award-winning hard and soft ice cream options.
Emack & Bolio’s, 366 Delaware Ave., Delmar. Founded in Boston in 1975, the dessert chain features “outrageous” flavors, like Salted Caramel Chocolate Pretzel and Serious Chocolate Addiction. Vegan options are also available.
Ben & Jerry’s, 467 Madison
Ave., Albany and 34 Phila St., Saratoga Springs. You’ll find two of the Vermont-based ice cream parlors here in the Capital Region. Both are locally owned and feature all the favorite flavors.
Kurver Kreme, 1349 Central Ave., Colonie. Founded in 1952, the family-run shop features a slew of soft ice cream options, including cones, sundaes, shakes, cakes and more.
The Dutch Udder Craft Ice Cream, 282 River St., Troy. Locally owned and locally sourced, the parlor showcases inventive flavors, like Frosted Animal Cookie and Moovie Popcorn. They also won an award for Best Philly Vanilla ice cream at the World Daily Expo in Wisconsin.
Curry Freeze, 1057 Curry Road, Rotterdam. The roadside stand features low sugar dessert treats, fresh homemade ice cream cakes, hard ice cream and Italian Ices.
The Dairy Haus, 476 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs. Here you’ll find a heap of hard and soft ice cream flavors, including dairy-free options and glutenfree cones.