The Real Scoop on a Delightful Dessert

Looking back as far as the fifth century BC, the ancient Greeks were refreshing themselves with “ices,” known to be desserts made of ice or snow, and sometimes flavored with honey or fruit. It is hard to be certain when real iream using milk, ice and salt was made, but according to “History Today,” the first ice cream recipe book describing the process dates to 1768, and the first hand-cranked freezer was invented in 1843. Technology has certainly made ice cream what it is today. By the middle of the 20th century, ice cream had become — and remains — a big business. 

Ice cream production and reported sales are extraordinary. Latest figures provided by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), report that over 6.4 billion pounds of ice cream and frozen yogurt are produced annually here in the United States, and an average American eats 22 pounds of the creamy treat throughout the year. The IDFA also reports the ice cream industry has a $13.1 billion impact on the U.S. economy, supports 28,800 direct jobs, and generates over $1.8 billion in direct wages. Many U.S. ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers have been in business for more than 50 years — a good percentage of them family-owned businesses. 

And why do we so love ice cream? Neuroscientists at the University of Sussex in England, discovered that vanilla ice cream activates the pleasure center of our brains. And it is no surprise that Instacart, a popular grocery delivery company, reports that vanilla is the nation’s favorite flavor bought at grocery stores. Rocky road, green tea, coffee and birthday cake battle it out for the nation’s second top spot. Interestingly, Instacart reported the favorite store-bought flavor in Kansas was rainbow sherbet ice cream. But when 20,000 Americans were surveyed about their favorite flavor, wherever they buy it, chocolate was No. 1, and in a similar state-to-state survey, Google reported that chocolate won the hearts of Kansans. 

Whatever the flavor and whether it is served in a cone or bowl, dipped or sprinkled, homemade or store bought, the best celebrations and gatherings with friends and family will likely serve up ice cream. Most of us do not need much encouragement to enjoy this cool, tasty, creamy treat, but we do have President Reagan to thank for declaring July National Ice Cream Month. We encourage all Wichitans to step out this month, try a new flavor, and even visit one of our local one-of-a-kind ice cream shops! Enjoy July and every flavor you find.

Favorite Scoop Shops

ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD

Frozen custard cones, cups, sundaes, splits

BASKIN-ROBBINS

31 flavors of ice cream, plus seasonal flavors

BRAUM’S

Ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, splits, floats

COLD STONE CREAMERY

Ice cream, yogurt, sorbet, shakes, smoothies

CHURN & BURN

Combined ice cream and coffee specialties

COCOA DOLCE

Gelato and other cold treats, chocolates

DAIRY QUEEN

Regular and dip cones, sundaes, Dilly Bars, Blizzards

FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD & STEAKBURGERS

Frozen custard cones, sundaes, shakes, malts

FREEZING MOO

Thai-fried ice cream rolls, dairy-free and vegan options

FROST

Homemade desserts and ice cream

OLD MILL TASTY SHOP

Old-fashioned malts, floats, sundaes, sodas

PAPA’S GENERAL STORE

Craft floats, ice cream, shakes

PALETERIA LA REYNA

Homemade ice cream, popsicles

PEACHWAVE

Self-serve frozen yogurt and gelato 

SPANGLES

Lactose free shakes, soft-serve desserts

SWEETPOPS

Shave ice cream, smoothies, yogurts, boba

YO-B YOGURT

Over 200 flavors of yogurt, custard, gelato

Have Ice Cream, Will Travel

Written by SPLURGE! Staff

Wichitan Shelby Gallardo says eating ice cream in the summertime is a family tradition that goes way back, and one that she’s happy to continue with her new ice cream cart business. Gallardo’s treat-filled cart, complete with pink-and-white striped umbrella, is available to book for any event, and especially apropos for birthday parties, weddings, and church gatherings.

Gallardo, who works full time in corporate marketing, calls her cool venture Addie M’s Ice Cream. “Addie was my great-grandma’s name, and the M is for Miranda, which was her middle name and is mine, too,” she said. “My mom grew up making homemade ice cream with her grandma, and my mom and I would go get ice cream every evening in the summer. We’ve done it my whole life, and now I do it with my son.”

Addie M’s offers prepackaged novelty ice cream treats, but Gallardo would like to eventually expand into scooped ice cream. Visit addiemsicecream.com for more information.