Do you still remember the very first ice cream cone that you had as a child? I can hardly remember it, but from the moment after my first lick, I knew that it won’t be my last. There are practical reasons that justify the ergonomics of the cone that holds your two scoops of blackberry and hazelnut flavours, but for some of us (you know who you are), it is hard to eat ice cream in our hand without making a mess.
But as messy as it can be, we seem to enjoy indulging our favourite flavours dripping from the edge of our ice cream cone. Thanks to this marvellous invention, we can savour not only a variety of ice cream flavours but also the different types of cone such as waffle style, pretzel, chocolate coated, wafer, sugar and many more.
Today (22 Sept 2019) as we observe National Ice Cream Cone Day, it is only right that we get to know the history behind this important, yet often overlooked invention. The true origin of ice cream cone, its edible wafer or waffle and its shape is unclear.
While there are some contentions as to who invented the ice cream cone, one of its earliest mentions appeared in French cooking books dated back to 1825 when Julien Archambault described how one could roll a cone from “little waffles”.
The very first ice cream cone was commercially produced in 1896 by Italo Marchiony, an Italian immigrant living in America. He invented the cone in New York City and applied for his patent on September 22, 1903, the day that we celebrate ice cream cone, like today.
If you are an avid ice cream lover, grab this chance to try as many combinations of flavours as money can buy. As there are numerous flavours out there, choosing the right combination can be a challenge.
If you are a creative person with a kaleidoscopic taste, you can try to choose the combination solely based on the colour of the flavours. It may sound childish, but if it pleases your eyes, then half of your craving is already fulfilled.
To help with your dilemma, here are some of the combinations that you can try.
- Chocolate and Vanilla
This is the yin and yang of ice cream flavours combination, whereby the whole is greater than the part.
- Mocha and Vanilla
If you take your Mocha Frappuccino with a shot of vanilla, then this combination shall give you a similar flavour.
- Chocolate and Pistachio
The subtle and nutty flavour of pistachio is the perfect blend for a bittersweet chocolate ice cream.
- Chocolate Fudge and Caramel
Just like a glass of hot chocolate with caramel topping, make sure you put the caramel on top of the chocolate scoop.
- Blackberry and Hazelnut
The nutty taste of hazelnut really brings out the sweet, slightly tart and earthy undertones flavour of blackberry. If you have never tried this, then you are truly missing out.
- Coffee and Cookie Dough
Whether it is a hot cup or a cold scoop, good coffee is always better with some cookies on the side.
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter
If you like it spread on a slice of bread, then you will like it scooped on your ice cream cone. This is a classic that you must try, at least once in your life.
- Cheesecake and Cookie Dough
If you are a cheesecake fanatic, adding some cookie dough ice cream is not a bad idea after all.
- Chocolate and Coconut
The combination of chocolate and coconut will make your ice cream tastes exactly like a Bounty chocolate bar.
- Coffee and Oreo
When you mix people’s favourite drink with people’s favourite cookie, it is hard for anybody to say no to it.
Now that you are ready with a list of flavour combinations, it is time to plan how you are going to observe this auspicious day. If you are spontaneous, here are two suggestions.
Roll your own cone.
Rolling ice cream cones are not as hard as it seems. If you have never tried it, take this opportunity to roll and decorate some ice cream cones with your children or loved ones. Here is a list of ingredients that you will need. Now, get to it!
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup of white sugar
- ¼ cup of butter, melted and cooled
- 3 tbsp. milk
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 3 tbsp. vegetable oil, or as needed.
Directions:
- Whisk together the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until frothy.
- Add in the butter, milk and vanilla and continues to whisk.
- Gradually whisk in the all-purpose flour and salt until smooth. Make sure the batter is thin, and you may stir in more milk if needed.
- Heat a small non-stick frying pan over medium heat and brush it lightly with vegetable oil.
- Pour about ¼ cup of the batter onto the pan and spread it out into a thin circle.
- When the underside is golden brown, flip over and cook until golden on the other side.
- Once cooked, remove from the pan and form into a cone while it is hot, squeezing the end to seal.
- Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
Go out and find some ice cream.
There is nothing more satisfying than indulging in an ice cream cone under the hot Malaysian sun. Treat yourself or your family with a variety of ice cream flavours, as if it is your cheat day.
Feeling lovey-dovey? Go out on an ice cream date with your other half. If two scoops of ice cream are sharing the same cone, then you should not indulge them alone.If you are feeling nostalgic and happen to live in a taman perumahan, then make yourself available from 3pm onwards and wait for that famous uncle who sells ice cream on a motorbike.
There is something about buying an ice cream cone from an ice cream seller riding on a motorcycle, something very Malaysian lah.Celebrate National Ice Cream Cone Day with sweetness in mind and discover more ice cream parlour nearby you on foodpanda.