Wafer Cones |
The first ice cream cone was produced in 1896 by Italo Marchiony, who
emigrated from Italy in the late 1800s and invented his ice cream cone in New
York City. He was granted a patent in December 1903, although July 23, 1904, is
credited as the day and year the cone was invented.
Waffle Cone |
A similar creation was independently introduced in 1904 at St. Louis
World's Fair by Ernest A. Hamwi, a Syrian concessionaire. Hamwi was selling a
crisp, waffle-like pastry called zalabis, in a booth right next to an ice cream
vendor. When the ice cream vendor ran out of dishes, Hamwi saw an easy solution
to the problem. He rolled one of his wafer-like waffles in the shape of a cone,
or cornucopia, and gave it to the ice cream vendor. The cone cooled in a few
seconds. The ice cream vendor loaded it with ice cream. The customers were
happy. And the idea of an edible cone came into existence as part of our staple
desserts in America.
Soon thereafter, ice cream cone businesses and factories sprung up creating
all types of cones from the rolled cone which was baked as a waffle to the batter-made molded ones.
What followed next were the many, many flavors of ice
cream created to fill those wonderful, walk-around, funnel-like inventions. So
when you buy or fill a cone with your favorite ice cream this summer, you’re eating a piece of history
dating back over a century ago.
I have to admit, vanilla is still my favorite flavor of ice cream,
followed by butter pecan—heaped in a sugar waffle cone. When you’re trying to
beat the summer heat, do you have a favorite flavor and a special kind of cone
you like the best?
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