Ice Cream, Iced Cream, & Porcelain
A History of the Dessert
While the precise origins of the dessert are unknown, the first recorded English use of the term "iced cream" was in 1671 when it appeared on a menu detailing what was served in a royal feast at Windsor Castle. In the 17th and 18th centuries, obtaining and preserving ice year-round was a huge undertaking. Ice was often obtained from icehouses, which were built deep in the ground near great estates. Because of the expense, iced food was typically enjoyed by the rich, who could afford to build icehouses and had servants or slaves who shaved the ice and prepared iced cream.
Making Iced Cream
Traditionally placed on the sideboard in the dining room, the base was filled with ice and salt, the liner filled with cream and occasionally cut fruit. Additional ice was placed on the high walled cover. The cream would freeze, and then at the end of the meal the Hostess would serve iced cream.
