Tag Archives: Ice cream

Sunday Sundae

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A real Soda Jerk (Image by Wikipedia)

A trio of people claim they invented the ice cream soda. But the good money (Wikipedia) says it was Philadelphia native Robert Green who in 1874 came up with the idea in order to steal customers away from a nearby vendor who had a bigger, fancier soda fountain.

Green mixed a scoop of vanilla with soda water and offered customers a choice of 16 different flavored syrups. They loved ‘em and over-night every self-respecting soda fountain had them on their menus.

But here is the weird thing. Soda was considered a miracle cure by many and so, was subject to control just like alcohol. In some places, dour conservatives managed to ban selling sodas entirely or at least on holy days. Not to be denied profit, the creative soda fountains owners came up with the soda-less ice cream sundae.

I love this story. It is triumph of Suh-weet over Sour.

Zoku

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I CONFESS,  I bought a small electric appliance that only does One thing on the very eve of Earth Day. So crucify me.

(Oh, c’mon — just kiddin’.) 

It came today via Big Brown.

It’s a Zoku pop maker, and yes,  I do plan to “explore an entire world of delicious frosty treats that will magically freeze before my eyes.”

The Zoku is filled with the same kind of liquid found in ice cream makers. Freeze the base, insert popsicle sticks , pour in the ingredients and wait for a short time for a freeze.  

Use some kind of sweet liquid, juice-based, kool-aid or what-have-you,  add some fruit and you’re done. Look at these results. It’s this picture that convinced me that I had to have it. 

I do admit– it doesn’t make a lot, three at a time, so it’s best to plan ahead so you have enough.   

I plan to experiment. I plan to make this a very well used appliance. Maybe even  a Zoku blog. Let me know if you buy one — we’ll chat about it.