The International Dairy Foods Association celebrates - July 23 is National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. So if you love vanilla, get ready to celebrate the occassion.
Although no one has been credited with the invention of ice cream, we do know that its origins date as far back as the second century B.C. Today, ice cream is a more than $21 billion industry in the U.S.
Want the "scoop" on vanilla ice cream? Here are five fun facts:
1. 12 pounds of milk is needed to make one gallon of ice cream.
2. Vanilla ice cream was served to immigrants arriving at Ellis Island as part of their "Welcome to America" meal.
3. Madagascar grows 80 percent of the vanilla beans used in ice cream production around the world.
4. The difference between French vanilla and traditional vanilla ice cream? French vanilla contains egg yolks, which is why it has a more yellow appearance than traditional vanilla.
5. Carvel Ice Cream in Vernon, Shady Glen in Manchester, The Dairy Bar in Windsor, and The Collins Creamery in Enfield all serve vanilla ice cream. The UConn Dairy Bar and Dzen's on Ellington are also popular ice cream stops.