The History of Vanilla Ice Cream

In Honor of National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, we are taking a look at the history behind this classic summertime treat. Interestingly, the story starts with President Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the first recorded recipe for ice cream in America. Jefferson served as American minister to France in the 1780s, and it’s thought that he brought the recipe for vanilla ice cream back with him. When he returned to the United States, Jefferson struggled to find vanilla, which was a rare and exotic ingredient back then. He had to use his contacts in Paris and beyond to get vanilla beans! The recipe he wrote is now in the Library of Congress and vanilla ice cream is one of the most popular flavors in America today.