National Ice Cream Day is Coming!

July 19th is National Ice Cream Day! The history of ice cream is a long and storied one, with a probable origin as shaved ice with fruit juice (Alexander the Great “adored ice and snow flavored with nectar and honey”), and eventually developing into the rich creamy dessert we know and love today. But testing it to ensure product quality and consistency can be quite a challenge.

To test ice cream (or any of its variants - gelato, sherbet, sorbet, frozen yogurt), first we need to determine which broad type it is. Does it have a uniform texture, like chocolate or the classic vanilla? We recommend a long knife blade, like the TA-43. Or are there particulates - pieces of cookie dough, strawberries, frozen M&Ms? Consider a multiple puncture probe, like the TA-65, to offer increased reproducibility.

And then, of course, the obvious challenge is the temperature. How to test ice cream before it melts? Our thermal cabinets provide an accurately controlled temperature environment. Or, if you’re removing the sample from frozen storage just before testing, use a larger sample size with a longer probe for deeper penetration.

We can even test the cone! Our Crispy Cone Testing Rig can accommodate all cone varieties, including sugar, waffle, and flat-bottomed cones. Test crispiness, brittleness, and any other parameter you choose.

So take some time to enjoy this perennial favorite in your own preferred flavor (or flavors!), and think about the process of creation. What do you want to test next? Let us know!

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