Cone-a-versary and a Giveaway!

There are many stories about the invention of the ice cream cone, but we like the one that causes the 108th anniversary to be today!

From the Library of Congress Today in History: On "July 23, 1904, according to some accounts, Charles E. Menches conceived the idea of filling a pastry cone with two scoops of ice-cream and thereby invented the ice-cream cone."

As you know, I love the smell (and taste!) of Ben & Jerry's cones. To celebrate this anniversary and such a great cone, we are giving away a copy of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book as well as a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream! (Although you'll have to forgive the fact that the book does not actually share Ben & Jerry's recipe for their cones!)

Leave a comment about your favorite cone by Friday, July 27 for a chance to win! Email MUST be included with your comment (in the comment field) -- otherwise we will be unable to contact you!

Sweet dreams of ice cream!

Way too cute! This reminds me of my daughter who has to have her ice cream before bedtime no matter how sleepy.  Sweet dreams of ice cream!

Happy 4th of July!

Stand tall and salute all the men and women who serve our country. Happy fourth of July!

(Just in case this photo inspires you here is the recipe to make these cute ice cream inspired cupcakes )

It's all in the Ice Cream Lick

For me, its in a dish with a spoon. I guess its my OCD tendencies that lead me to the dish for fear I might actually get some ice cream on my face or the fear of not being able to outlick the melting. But apparently ice cream really does taste better licked from a cone instead of spooned out of a dish. Well after these findings I may just have to think twice the next time I direct the scooper to put it in a dish.

According to Kay McMath, a sensory scientist and judge for an international Ice Cream Awards, "Flavour in ice cream is released when it's warmed in the mouth to at least body temperature."

"During licking, the tongue is coated with a thin layer of ice cream where it is more quickly warmed, and the flavour is detected by the large surface area of the taste buds present on the tongue."

"By comparison, the spoon provides insulation to keep the ice cream colder when put into the mouth. Once in the mouth the tongue pushes the ice cream to the roof of the mouth to melt before swallowing. A smaller surface area is therefore involved in warming the ice cream to release the flavours," she said.

Mrs McMath said that when licked from a cone ice cream was eaten in smaller amounts therefore the full flavour release occurred with every lick. So the longer the ice cream licking, the greater the taste and enjoyment.

Sorry to get all scientific on you but that is pretty interesting. There are definitely times when I long for a cone but I'm primarily a dish girl!

Oh and in case you are on the lick side and your wrist hurts from twisting that cone to save the drips then you might want one of these genius motorized cones. It's tagline.... "Takes a licking -- keeps ice cream from dripping!"

(Seriously the cone is the size of her head!)