BENSON'S OLDEST ICE CREAM PARLOUR

During our time in Arizona last summer, we luckily got the chance to stop through a lovely little town called Benson en route to Tombstone. Never did I realise I'd be stopping at the most delicious little ice cream parlour in the town! The staff were all so welcoming and helpful in guiding us around their extensive and special menu, from sundaes to glaciers, to parfaits, they really have every option you could imagine and then some. Eventually after the worlds longest pause, I went for the season favourite of pumpkin pie ice cream with some dark chocolate chips....and it was...scrumptious!

The first official account of ice cream in the New World comes from a letter written in 1744 by a guest of Maryland Governor William Bladen. The first advertisement for ice cream in this country appeared in the New York Gazette on May 12, 1777, when confectioner Philip Lenzi announced that ice cream was available "almost every day." - International Dairy Foods Association

I recommend not doing what I always do with food and let it sit beyond its best form though! This ice cream is so amazing, but just like me (and other ice creams), isn't resistant to the luscious Arizona rays. So eat it as fast as the pace you're going to arrive here with!

I find it fascinating to think that the concept of ice cream has historical traces all the way back to 4000 B.C, according to History.com who mention:

"Snow, likely used to cool wine, was sold in the streets of Athens in the fifth century B.C., while the Roman emperor Nero (A.D. 37–67) enjoyed iced refreshments laced with honey. Sources from the Tang dynasty in China describe a sweet drink made from iced, camphor-laced water buffalo milk." - History.com - who invented Ice Cream?

Of all things, buffalo milk definitely wouldn't have been my first guess! While I'm curious and would try it, I am glad for all the varieties and flavours we're able to enjoy today. If you want to drool over more delicious pictures from the Old Benson Ice Cream Stop, have a look at their facebook page here! But if you happen to be passing through on a historical jaunt, make sure you throw them a visit!

What's your flavour?

• Classic Cone
• Sundae Girl/Boy
• Ice Cream Floater

Happy historical eating! T x