The History of Pistachio Ice Cream

Pistachio gelato has long been a favorite dessert in Italy, particularly in Sicily, where some of the world’s finest pistachios are grown. However, pistachio ice cream has a separate origin story in America. Credit for the invention of pistachio ice cream is generally given to a man named James Wood Parkinson, who reportedly created the frozen treat in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1940. While not much more is known about the origin of pistachio ice cream, we do know that it caught on quickly and became a menu staple at many creameries all across the United States. Interestingly, some sources claim that not all pistachio ice cream in America actually contains pistachios — some are flavored with almond paste and then tinted using green food coloring. Today, pistachio ice cream remains a staple offering at many creameries across the country and is also a popular flavor among freezer aisle brands, such as Häagen-Dazs.