Ice Cream Etiquette and History

Ice cream in the gilded age was a delicious treat which called for either ice cream forks, for ice creams served with fruits or nuts in them, or, ice cream spoons, for creamier versions of the iced treats, sans any fruit or nuts bits and pieces.
Ice cream served at the dining table should be eaten slowly and savored. Never should ice cream be gulped or eaten in a rushed manner, especially at a dinner party.vIf one, however, is enjoying ice cream out in the summer heat, etiquette dictates and good manners are obvious; The frozen treat should be eaten quickly, before it winds up all over one’s clothes, hands or face!
Above, four gilded age ice cream spoons from 1880 – The ornate spoons with gilt bowls were made in sterling silver by the Whiting Manufacturing Company.

Ice cream is widely regarded as America's favorite dessert, and adds a happy, festive note to any occasion. In fact, ice cream and entertaining have been closely tied for centuries.

Since the origin of ice cream in 62 A.D., when the great feasts of Roman Emperors included snow flavored with fruit juices and honey, ice cream has been a favorite dessert for parties and entertaining. Subsequent anecdotes have been recorded throughout history.

In 1533 Catherine de Medici ordered a different ice cream flavor for each of the 34 days of festivities for her marriage to King Henry II.

Under Louis XIV's chef, Vatel, who was known for his creation of exotic dishes, creamy frozen desserts served at banquets reached a pinnacle of perfection.

By the end of the 18th century, the bombe glacée (ice cream molded in spherical shapes) had become the indispensable dessert at formal French banquets.

In our country, both Mrs. Alexander Hamilton and Dolly Madison helped popularize ice cream in high political circles. Strawberry ice cream was the highlight of James Madison's second inaugural ball. – National City Star News, 1986

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia