Is it just me or has it been really, really hot this summer? I’m sure it is nothing out of the ordinary with temperatures in the 90s in late July in Salem County, but boy, it seems extraordinarily hot this year! We don’t even want to go into the pool because it’s warm as bathwater!
Fortunately for me, Salem County is a haven for one of my favorite hot weather remedies — ice cream!
Mentions of the first “ice cream” dessert are reported to trace back to 200 BC when Roman Emperor Nero topped ice brought from mountains with fruit. Over the years, the dessert evolved and evoked the necessity for America’s first ice cream parlor said to have opened in 1776 in New York City.
Here are some other interesting facts from various ice cream resources:
• July is National Ice Cream Month as designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
• The most popular flavor of ice cream in the United States is vanilla followed by chocolate, strawberry and butter pecan.
• More ice cream is sold on Sunday than any other day.
• Children ages 2 through 12 and adults age 45-plus eat the most ice cream per person.
• The average number of licks to polish off a single-scoop ice cream cone is approximately 50. I’m thinking most in my family could challenge this one.
What is it about ice cream that makes it so fun? It could be the endless possibilities — from flavors to toppings to cones or bowls. Maybe it is its cooling effects during a hot summer day that really soothes our boiling souls. It could be the fact that it usually involves the whole family, bring it together for at least a half an hour of delicious fun.
That could also explain the popularity of one of the Salem County Fair’s newer attractions, the homemade ice cream making contest. Being held this year on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m., this is one event at the fair that is sure to draw a crowd, particularly if the temperatures are typical of those during the fair — sizzling!
According to the Salem County Fair Association rules, all of the ice cream must be made in a hand crank ice cream freezer. The team, which is made up of four people, must bring its own ingredients, the recipe and a willingness to share their creations.
There are three categories for awards: Best tasting, most unique and best presentation. The judging criteria for best tasting and most unique is 34 percent flavor and 33 percent each for texture and presentation. The best part? After the contest, the extra ice cream will be sold by the bowl and the money donated to charity.
If you don’t think you’re ready for the competition yet, why don’t you start practicing at home with the kids? There are many online resources to get you started on the technical process and you can tap your imagination for the creative side. Just think of all the flavor combinations out there that are just waiting to exist.
For me, when it comes to ice cream, I prefer to layer simplicity into a complex concoction that brings stars to my eyes. Right now, with Jersey Fresh peaches at their peak, I know what my first attempt at making ice cream is going to be: a peach ice cream with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon with a vanilla cake and brown sugar crumble on top. Wish me luck!