The ancient Greeks in Athens mixed snow with fruits, honey and nectar as a frozen dessert treat known as Granita. Alexander the Great was fond of Macedonie (a mixed iced fruit confection).
Different Granita Flavors in Greece
- Pagotó Elaeolado me syko (Olive Oil Granita) with figs drizzled with sweet balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with sea salt flakes.
- Pagotó Kataifi (Kataifi Granita) which features kataifi pastry flakes formed into thin, spaghetti-like “noodles” with toppings.
- Mastic Granita made with resin from an evergreen tree mixed with sugar that becomes chewy like caramel.
- Salepi Ice Cream made of pulverized orchid tubers combined with milk, sugar, cinnamon and ginger. (Considered an ice cream instead of a granite since it contained milk, but also not a gelato because it did not contain egg.)
While the Greeks supposed the universe was made of 4 elements (fire, water, earth, and Æther), by 1685 Italian biologist Francesco Redi n his poem Arianna Inferma wrote that “snow was the 5th element” needed for the best drink”.
The History of Ice Cream | PAPAFiLiPOU.COM
National Ice Cream Day: The History of Greek Ice Cream - Krasi (krasiboston.com)
Alexander The Great and All Ancient Greeks Loved Ice Cream (greekreporter.com)
Get to Know Greek Ice Cream - MyParea, A Family of Friends
Ice cream history – Ancient times – ICE CREAM NATION
Ice cream, a short history. All the facts, flavours and who invented them (lifegate.com)
Alexander the Great was an ice cream addict | Ahval (ahvalnews.com)
Other Gelato Containers throughout CP Hadley Park with Bonus Info:
Mesopotamia 3000 BC - Origins of Ice Cream (GCA79WQ)
Egyptian Pharaohs 2500 BC: Sorbet (GCA79WW)
China 200 BC: Rice Cream (GCA79WX)
Roman 0 AD: Volcano Snow (GCA79X1)
Turkey 1000 AD: Dondurma - Stretchy Ice Cream (GCA79X7)
Inca 1400 AD: Ice Cream (GCA79X5)
India 1500 AD: Kulfi (GCA79X3)
Spanish Ice Cream 1500 AD: Ice Cream Demon (GCA79X6)
Mexico 1500 AD: Volcanic Sorbet rise to Chocolate (GCA79X8)
Solve these Mysteries:
Coney Island, New York 1919: Frozen Custard (GCA79XC)
Talenti 1565: Gelato (GCA79XB)