Ice Cream Time

Ice Cream History

100

This country is widely believed to have created the earliest version of ice cream.
 

 China — Around 200 BC, the Chinese combined milk and rice in snow for a frozen treat.
Fact: Canadian ice cream makers still borrow techniques from early Chinese frozen desserts.

200

Ice cream was introduced to North America by these immigrants in the 1700s.
 

 Quakers — They sold ice cream in major cities, including what is now Canada.
Fact: Early Canadian settlers enjoyed ice cream at special summer gatherings.

300

This US president helped popularize ice cream, and recipes spread to early Canadian cookbooks.
 

 Thomas Jefferson — His vanilla recipe inspired Canadian versions using maple sugar.
Fact: Maple ice cream remains a uniquely Canadian twist.

400

At the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, this serving style debuted, soon making its way into Canada.
 
 

Ice cream cone — Perfect for Canada’s summer fairs and festivals.
Fact: Waffle cones became a hit at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto.

500

This 19th-century invention made ice cream easier to produce in Canada’s cold winters.
 

 Hand-crank ice cream freezer — Invented by Nancy Johnson in 1843.
Fact: In Canada, families often made ice cream using snow from outside in winter.

ICE CREAM FLAVORS

100

The most popular ice cream flavor in Canada.
 

 Vanilla — Still number one across provinces.
Fact: Canadians love it in sundaes topped with maple syrup.

200

This cookie-flavored ice cream is especially loved in Canadian provinces with Oreo McFlurries.
 

 Cookies and cream — Oreo remains the top cookie choice.
Fact: The McFlurry was invented in 1995 in Bathurst, New Brunswick.

300

This fruity favorite is part of Neapolitan ice cream in Canada.
 

 Strawberry — Often made with Ontario strawberries.
Fact: Canadian strawberry season runs June–July.

400

This nut-flavored ice cream is popular in Italian-Canadian neighborhoods.
 

 Pistachio — Creamy with a subtle sweetness.
Fact: Authentic pistachio gelato is a draw at Toronto’s Little Italy festival.

500

This triple-flavored ice cream is found in nearly every Canadian grocery store.
 

 Neapolitan — Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
Fact: Canadian tubs are often slightly larger than US versions.

ICE CREAM AROUND THE WORLD

100

This Japanese dessert is ice cream wrapped in sweet rice dough.
 

 Mochi ice cream — Soft and chewy.
Fact: Found in many Canadian grocery stores like T&T and Loblaws.

200

This Italian frozen dessert is made mainly from fruit juice and sugar, with no dairy.
 

 Sorbetto — The Italian word for sorbet.
Fact: Often served in fine dining restaurants in Canada between courses.

300

In the Philippines, this purple yam ice cream is a national favorite.
 

 Ube ice cream — Sweet and vibrant purple.
Fact: Ube milkshakes are trending in Canadian dessert cafés.

400

In Thailand, this ice cream is made by spreading liquid base on a cold metal plate.
 

 Rolled ice cream — Then scraped into rolls.
Fact: You can try it at food fairs in Vancouver and Toronto.

500

This Middle Eastern ice cream is stretchy due to the addition of mastic.
 

 Booza — Chewy texture makes it unique.
 Toronto and Montreal both have shops that make it fresh.

FUN FACTS & RECORDS

100

This Canadian province consumes the most ice cream per person.
 

 Quebec — Especially popular in summer.
Fact: Quebec’s dairy industry helps keep ice cream affordable.

200

The McFlurry was invented in 1995 in this Canadian province.
 

The McFlurry was invented in 1995 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. It was created by Ron McLellan, a McDonald's Canada franchisee. The original McFlurry flavor was Oreo.
Fact: It’s now sold in over 100 countries.

300

This Canadian city holds the record for the largest ice cream sundae.
 

 Edmonton, Alberta .It was created on July 24, 1988, by Palm Dairies Ltd and weighed 24.91 tons , according to Guinness World Records. The sundae consisted of 20.27 tons of ice cream, 4.39 tons of syrup, and 243.7 kg of topping, according to Guinness World Records.  

400

This Canadian brand is known for its “Super Premium” ice cream and iconic yellow tubs.
 

Chapman’s — Based in Markdale, Ontario.
Fact: Founded in 1973, it’s now Canada’s largest independent ice cream maker.

500

In 2014, this Canadian province built the world’s largest ice cream cake.
 

 British Columbia — For Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day.
Fact: It weighed over 10 tons.

ICE CREAM IN POP CULTURE

100

This 1980s TV commercial jingle said “I scream, you scream, we all scream for…”
 

 Ice cream — A phrase still used today.
Fact: Variations have appeared in Canadian ads.

200

In the TV show “Friends,” this character famously doesn’t share food, including ice cream.
 

Joey Tribbiani — “Joey doesn’t share food!” became a classic sitcom line.

300

This classic Canadian TV ad showed kids running after a man ringing a bell for frozen treats.
 

The Popsicle Pete commercials — A summer staple in the 80s and 90s.

400

This Canadian children’s TV show from the 80s had a “Freeze” themed villain in its sketch comedy cast.
 

 The Hilarious House of Frightenstein – Mr. Freeze
Fact: The show was filmed in Hamilton, Ontario.

500

This famous ice cream brand was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978.
 

 Ben & Jerry’s — Now sold widely in Canada.
Fact: Canadian-exclusive flavors have included “Oh Canada!”