Ice cream parlor facts for kids
Ice cream parlors are fun places where you can buy ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or frozen yogurt. You might know them as ice cream shops! They usually offer many different flavors and types of treats. You can often get your ice cream in a cone, a cup, or a dish. Some parlors also make special desserts like sundaes (ice cream with yummy toppings and whipped cream) or milkshakes. They might even blend different flavors together!
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History of Ice Cream Shops
People have enjoyed ice cream for a very long time, but the first ice cream shop as we know it probably started in France. In 1686, a man named Francesco Procopio del Coltelli opened a famous café in Paris called the Café Procope. This café was one of the first places to serve gelato to the public. Important guests would enjoy this sweet treat in fancy little bowls.
For a long time, ice cream was a special dessert mostly enjoyed by rich people. But things changed! Around 1800, people started using special insulated ice houses. Then, in 1851, the first ice cream factory opened in Pennsylvania, USA. Later, in the 1870s, new machines for keeping things cold (called industrial refrigeration) made it even easier to make and store ice cream.
Jacob Fussell, a milk seller, built the first ice cream factory. He bought milk from farmers and turned it into ice cream. Making ice cream in large amounts made it much cheaper. This meant more people could afford and enjoy this delicious dessert!
In the early 1800s, some places in the U.S. started selling ice cream along with other refreshments. One source says the very first ice cream parlor in the United States opened in New York City in 1790.
What You Can Find at an Ice Cream Shop
Gelato is a type of Italian ice cream. It uses more milk and less cream than regular American ice cream, making it often taste richer. Sorbet is a frozen treat made from fruit, syrup, and ice. It doesn't have any milk or cream. Frozen yogurt is a popular choice that's often lower in fat. It has a smooth texture, much like soft-serve ice cream.
All these frozen treats can be served in ice cream cones, cups, as sundaes, or in milkshakes. Some ice cream shops also sell ice cream cakes, ice cream bars, and other pre-packaged frozen desserts.
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An Italian ice cream shop with many kinds of gelato
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An English ice cream shop with different types of traditional ice cream
Different Kinds of Ice Cream Shops
Ice cream shops come in many sizes and styles. Some are small with just a window where you order and maybe some outdoor seats. Others are larger with indoor seating areas. You might even find some with drive-through windows, so you can get your treat without leaving your car!
Many ice cream shops in warmer places or cities stay open all year. But in colder areas, some shops only open during the warmer months, usually from spring to late fall. For example, some ice cream shops in Vienna, Austria, close during the winter.
Popular Ice Cream Shop Chains
You can find ice cream shops all over the world! Some are small, local businesses, while others are large chains with locations everywhere. Some well-known ice cream chains include Baskin-Robbins, Ben & Jerry's, Bruster's Ice Cream, Carvel, Cold Stone Creamery, Dairy Queen, Dippin' Dots, Friendly's, and Häagen-Dazs. For frozen yogurt, popular chains include Yogurtland, Yogen Früz, and sweetFrog.
Every July in the United States, people celebrate National Ice Cream Month. During this time, many popular magazines and websites share their lists of the best ice cream shops across the country. It's a fun way to find new places to try delicious ice cream!
See also
In Spanish: Heladería para niños
