Ice Cream Frequently Asked Questions

Ice cream Frequently Asked Questions

Do you love ice cream? Have you got ice cream questions that you’ve never found out the answer for? Well, read on as our Ice cream Frequently Asked Questions will tell you everything you need to know.

Why is an ice cream cone with a flake called a 99?

Do you remember seeing an ice cream van in the park or hearing the ice cream vans tunes pass by your house when you were younger? I would guess this is a favourite for the children of today too. A “99” is soft, creamy ice cream served in a cone with a flake stuck in the top and maybe some chocolate or strawberry sauce drizzled over the top. There really is no better treat than a “99” ice cream any time of the year. A lot of people think the name “99” is because it used to cost 99 pence, however, that is most definitely a myth.

The 99 was actually named by Cadbury’s, the chocolate manufacturing giant, and it’s all to do with the flake in the top rather than the ice cream itself.

In the 1930’s Italian soft ice cream makers in County Durham were trying ways of introducing other lines to increase their ice cream sales and this is where the flake in the top of the ice cream came from. Originally ice cream makers had cut the flake to reduce it in size and we all know how difficult it is to cut a flake without it actually flaking. This is when Cadbury’s first launched their mini flake specifically for ice creams. It was named a “99” as in the days of the monarchy in Italy the King had an elite guard consisting of 99 soldiers. Subsequently, anything really special or first class was known as “99” and that is how the ’99’ ice cream got its name.

Soft Ice Cream served in a cone with a Flake 99 is probably one of the UK’s favourite ice creams.

Why ice cream is bad?

As with everything ice cream is only bad for you if you eat it in excess. Some ice creams have a high fat and sugar content and we all know how bad this can be for you. Ice cream is delicious and if eaten in moderation and as a treat, it really isn’t bad for you. It is possible to have halthy ice cream which is low in sugar and cream.

Why ice cream is unhealthy?

Ice cream is a mixture of cream and/or milk, sugar and sometimes eggs. It is frozen whilst being churned to create a sweet, creamy, frozen dessert. Commercial ice-cream makers may use stabilizers, such as plant gums and the mixture is pasteurized and homogenized.

Ice cream is high in sugar as well as fat, and sugar make up the majority of its carbohydrate content. Too much sugar in your diet can result in health problems, weight gain, tooth decay and is now known to be highly addictive. There are many recipes for healthy ice cream where less or no milk, fat or sugar is used.

Why is ice cream is good?

Ice cream is good, it tastes delicious, soft and creamy, it comes in thousands of flavours, some of which you would never even dream of, it can come in a cone or as a dessert, it can be eaten to cool you down in the summer and most people love it as a treat in the winter too. Let’s face it, ice cream makes you feel good, whatever your age.

Why does ice cream make me cough?

Have you ever coughed when eating an ice cream? Its very strange and most of us have experienced it. Eating or drinking something cold can trigger a reflexive cough action and dairy products are known to induce mucus. The mucus then becomes an irritant and can lead to a dry cough which normally goes when you have finished what you are eating or drinking.

Why ice cream is a good business?

There are many reasons why ice cream is a good business. The first being that most people, whatever age love ice cream and it is eaten all over the world at any time of the year. Ice cream can be served in a cone or as a dessert or as an accompaniment for a dessert so it is highly adaptable and changeable for peoples tastes, likes and dislikes. It comes in thousands of flavours now and the big one for businesses is not only that their customers love it but it is highly profitable for them. A good, quality commercial ice cream machine can make an ice cream for as little as 12p versus the average selling price of an ice cream cone at £2.00, with an ice cream dessert anything from £3.95 upwards. Selling ice cream delivers huge profits.

Why is ice cream cold?

Ice cream is cold as it turns from a liquid into a solid substance as part of its production. The last part of making ice cream involves freezing the mix and incorporating air. After the freezing process, only a portion of the water in the ice cream is actually in a frozen state. Soft ice cream is served directly from the freezer where only a small amount of the water has been frozen. Hard ice cream is packaged from the freezer and then goes through a hardening process that freezes more of the water in the mix.

Does ice cream cool you down?

On a hot summers day, there is nothing better than a smooth, creamy cold ice cream. We all think that ice cream cools us down and this seems logical that eating something cold would help reduce our body temperature, however, its initial cooling effect is quickly replaced by heat generated by our digestive processes that are needed to break down the nutrients in an ice cream. So in truth, it doesn’t cool our body temperature, however, it will make us feel cooler and make our taste buds tingle.

Why ice cream is good for you?

Ice cream is like anything and is okay for you if you eat in moderation. The main reason ice cream is good for you is that it makes you feel good and happy. Many of us have really happy memories of when we have eaten ice cream in different locations and with people we love. There are however more reasons why ice cream, in moderation, can be good for you and these include; it is a source for many vitamins, it provides energy, it is a source of minerals and last but not least it stimulates the brain – It has been said that ice cream stimulates a hormone of happiness which helps to reduce stress levels in the body. Ice cream is made of milk, which contains L-tryptophan, which is a natural tranquillizer and helps in relaxing the nervous system. It is also known to help prevent symptoms of insomnia.

Why is ice cream bad for dogs?

Feeding your dog ice cream can lead to gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and or vomiting. Some dog owners give their dogs ice cream as a treat and if they don’t get a reaction then this is fine, again, as long as it is in moderation. Some dogs like humans can have an intolerance to dairy and as ice cream contains a large proportion of milk it can cause your dog discomfort and cause other digestive problems.

Why is ice cream important?

Ice cream has a source of minerals and minerals like calcium and phosphorus are found in ice cream. Calcium is an essential mineral for us all as it helps us maintain strong bones as well as reducing the chances of kidney stones, mood swings and PMS.

Why ice cream is better than cake?

Compared to cake ice cream is so diverse and can be used in so many different ways. There are thousands of flavours and combinations, you can eat it on its own, in a cone, or as an accompaniment to a dessert. Why not try cake and ice cream, delicious.

Why ice cream is so good?

Ice cream is soooo….. good and the UK love to eat it in the summer and winter. There are so many different flavours and additions you can try, you can have it in a milkshake, or as an ice cream soda with a big scoop added to lemonade or soda which give sit a real fizz. You can eat it on its own or as an accompaniment to crumble, pie, cheesecake or as the delicious addition to a sundae. There are some wild and different flavours now that ice cream vendors are trying and the most bizarre ones are often the favourites.

Why ice cream is better than pizza?

Ice cream is better than pizza as its cool, creamy, light, airy, there are thousands of flavours and it doesn’t sit heavy in your stomach. It’s probably a lot healthier too.  If you are hungry you could eat two or three large ice creams – more difficult to eat that many large pizzas!

Why ice cream is a comfort food?

As we’ve said before ice cream is seen as a treat by most people, its sweet, creamy and cool and comes in many different flavours and textures, there is; soft scoop, Mr Whippy and gelato, all of which are different textures and taste.

Why ice cream is good for sore throats?

Ice cream is soft, cold and creamy so a perfect food to keep your strength up if you have a dry scratch, sore throat.

How is Artisan Gelato ice cream made?

To produce good artisan gelato ice cream you need quality raw ingredients and to follow 5 core steps:

1. Pasteurisation
   Pasteurisation is a heat treatment that ensures the safety of the ingredients and preservation of the gelato. After heating, the liquid mixture remains at an elevated temperature for the time necessary to guarantee the process; then cooled rapidly before being stored at a maximum of +4°c.
2. Homogenisation
   Gelato is produced by continuously stirring a mixture containing milk, sugar and natural flavourings as it freezes. A mixer is an indispensable tool for mixing, homogenising and diffusing any solid or fibrous ingredients into the mix. This helps obtain a consistent, uniform base.
3. Production
   Any syrup or flavours that are required are introduced into the cylinder and mixed through with the agitator. During this phase, the machine incorporates air into the mix and begins to freeze as the base makes contact with the side of the cylinder, forming tiny crystals which give gelato its smooth characteristic.
4. Blast Freeze
   The gelato is extracted from the machine at -7/ -9°c and should then be placed in a freezer capable of further reducing the core temperature to -12°c as quickly as possible. This helps to keep the structure, texture and taste of the gelato while in storage or when served.
5. Store, Display and Serve
   Carpigiani provides a wide range of display cabinets, each one perfect for displaying your artisan gelato safely and attractively. For more information on our range, see the ‘display & design’ section.

What are ice cream cones?

Cake Cones are probably the ones that we all know best and they are also referred to as wafer cones. They are light, flaky and sweet and the perfect combination with a lovely soft sweet scoop of ice cream.

Pretzel Cones are a salty, crunchy alternative to your traditional cone. They are a mixture of wheat flour, sugar and salt which provides a more solid and savoury foundation for many ice cream flavours and it highlights the sweetness of the ice cream.

Sugar Cones are a classic and slightly sweeter alternative to the traditional cone. The brown sugar that is added to the baking process gives them a thicker and crunchier design, and they are generally smaller and darker in colour with a sturdier frame.

Waffle Cones blend cake and pastry flours to produce a sweet and crunchy flavour. The addition of dark brown sugar gives the cone a crispy, syrupy flavour and a waffle exterior.

There are so many ice cream cones available and they come in an assortment of sizes, shapes, and flavours.

How are ice cream sandwiches made?

Ice cream sandwiches aren’t made from traditional bread as you would think. It is smooth and creamy ice cream sandwiched between different flavoured cookies to compliment your ice cream flavour, biscuits, wafers, Viennese whirls,

How does an ice cream machine work?

An ice cream and soft serve machines will be different depending on the type of ice cream you are making. A soft serve ice cream machine will pasteurise, mix and churn the raw ingredients and then freeze the mixture as part of its process.

How do ice cream makers work?

Good, professional and commercial ice cream makers will measure the ingredients and follow very specific times and processes to make making ice cream easy and quick and to produce a delicious ice cream product.

How ice cream was created?

The History of Ice Cream tells us that it first began with flavoured ice. The Chinese are generally talked about for creating the first ice creams, possibly as early as 3000 BC. Ice cream’s origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C. The Roman emperor Nero had servants go into the mountains to collect snow that was then used to make desserts flavoured with honey, nuts, and fruit toppings Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvesting. During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar (A.D. 54-86) frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavoured with fruits and juices Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what is now called sherbet and he is often cited for introducing these tasty flavours to Italy. Historians estimate that this recipe evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. The UK seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps even earlier than the Italians. “Cream Ice,” as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17th century France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry II of France. It wasn’t until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris. Ice cream became a moral symbol during World War II. Every branch of the military tried to outdo the others in serving ice cream to its troops. In 1945, the first “floating ice cream parlour” was built for sailors in the western Pacific. When the war ended, and dairy product rationing was lifted, America celebrated its victory with ice cream. Americans consumed over 20 quarts of ice cream per person in 1946 In the 1940s through to the ‘70s, ice cream production was relatively constant in the United States. As more prepackaged ice cream was sold in supermarkets, traditional ice cream parlours and soda fountains started to disappear. Ice cream stores, parlours and restaurants that feature ice cream have recently had a surge in popularity

Can ice cream cause diarrhoea?

Like with anything ice cream can cause diarrhoea if eaten in excess or if you have a sensitive stomach that could be irritated by the sweetness of ice cream.

Can ice cream go off?

The simple answer is yes, but it does take a long time and is normally from freezer burn. Freezer burn happens when moisture seeps out from the inside of the ice cream and up to the surface. As the surface moisture combines with the freezer air, it refreezes on the top of the ice cream. You may have experienced it when you open your ice cream tub and there are ice crystals covering the ice cream. You can try and scrape them away, however, the texture and creamy flavours have normally disappeared by this point.

Can ice cream be refrozen?

You can refreeze ice cream if it has only slightly melted and is still cold. If it has completely melted then it is unsafe to refreeze it as the Listeria bacteria can grow. Listeria outbreaks can occur in freezers when ice cream that melted is refrozen.

Can ice cream grow mould?

Mould cannot grow below freezing so you don’t ever get mould growing on ice cream as long as it’s kept in the freezer.

Can ice cream cause heartburn?

Ice cream can cause heartburn if you eat it in excess or you have a sensitive stomach. Its recommended not to eat ice cream if you are already suffering from heartburn.

Can ice cream cause acne?

There are some specialists that say that ice cream can not necessarily cause but it could aggravate acne. The hormones in milk can react with the testosterone in your own body, therefore, milk and ice cream have been associated with acne,

Can ice cream make you gain weight?

Some ice cream is high in fat, therefore, eating a lot of ice cream can contribute to you gaining weight.

Can ice cream be healthy?

Ice cream is probably not a food you would class as healthy, however, it is a great accompaniment to fruit and ice cream lovers will know that it definitely makes you happy and feel good. It is possible to create ice cream from recipes that are low in fat and sugar.

Can ice cream cause gout?

There are many schools of thought on ice cream and gout. Full-fat dairy products like whole milk and ice cream are often discouraged for people with gout, however, some studies have shown that increasing dairy in your diet may reduce your risk of developing gout. It is a very much try it and see if dairy in your diet increases or improves gout.

Can ice cream be harmful to dogs?

Ice cream can be harmful to your dog if given in excess. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhoea and other digestive problems for your dog so it may be something to avoid.

Can ice cream cause you to bloat?

Our bodies lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose so eating foods that contain milk or milk-based products can cause your stomach to bloat and impact your digestive system. Some people suffer and others don’t, so it really is a try it, and see scenario.

Can ice cream make you sick?

Ice cream could make you sick if you eat too much of it as it is creamy and sweet.

Can ice cream cause diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is where the body’s insulin-producing cells are destroyed and the pancreas no longer produces the insulin needed to break down the food that you eat and convert it to energy, therefore diabetes is not a result of eating ice cream or any other food in fact.

Type 2 diabetes is the result of both genetic and lifestyle factors and being overweight or obese does increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Can ice cream make you happy?

Its simple, yes, eating ice cream makes you happy. It is rich, sweet and creamy and it has been said by some experts that ice cream stimulates a hormone, called the hormone of happiness which helps to reduce stress levels in the body and make you feel good.

Carpigiani has over 70 years experience of supplying world renowned and leading ice cream machines and catering equipment. If you are considering a commercial ice cream machine for your business then contact us on 01432 817710 and one of our ice cream experts will be happy to help.