Update on favourite product 2012

The race continues with the favourite product of 2012, as you all know the Marshmallow cone has been top of the league since the beginning and, today I can bring you some amazing information...
Today the marshmallow cone has broken a new record!!!
Not only is it currently the most popular Ice Cream from Roberts Ice Cream van but it has held the top position untouched for the longest time! Never before has a product spent so long without at least going to second place! So a big congrats to The Marshmallow cone!

The second place has been stolen once again thought by the Bubblegum cone, the Kids cant get enough of that bright blue colour and delicious flavour!

Sunday Sundae

We all love a Sunday and most of us love a Sundae as well. It is fact that Ice Cream is Favored on a Sunday. Is it because its the day of rest and an indulgence is the "cherry on the cake", or is it simply because we are indoors and an Ice cream adds a little excitement to a lazy day. Whatever your reason is the simple fact is this... We Love a Sunday Sundae!!! 

Any Season Any Reason - Really

When we say any season and reason we mean it!
Roberts Ices are out all year round serving fresh Whippy Ice cream and many other favourite products.

The "99 Flake" Your questions answered.

My first point about the "99 Flake" is simple, it is nothing to do with them costing 99p. Some traders in the past may have sold them for 99p to go with the name but Cadburys did not invent a RRP and thus traders can sell them for a price they seem worthy depending on amount of ice cream. In modern society with prices of Milk and sugar rising selling a "99 Cone" for 99p is nearly impossible, especially if the traders want to earn a living. 

A 99 Flake ice cream, or more commonly a 99, is an ice cream cone, usually made with Soft Serve ice cream rather than scooped ice cream, into which a Flake bar has been inserted, typically at an acute angle to the cone. The ice cream is usually vanilla flavoured. They are traditionally sold by Ice Cream Vans and Parlours. Variations include a 99 with two flakes - often referred to as a double 99 or "bunny's ears" - and a 99 with Strawberry or Raspberry topping sauce, sometimes known as Monkey's Blood.

HISTORY

 The Flake chocolate bar itself was developed in 1920. An employee of Cadburys noted that when the excess from the moulds used to create other chocolate bars was drained off, it fell off in a stream and created folded chocolate with flaking properties In 1930, Cadbury started producing a smaller version of the standard Flake bar especially for Ice Cream cones. These were marketed under the name 99 Flake and sold loose in boxes rather than individually wrapped like the traditional Flake. 

The origins of the name are uncertain. One claim is that the '99' was coined in Portobello, Scotland, in 1922, by the Arcari family, Rudi Arcari's father Stephen came up with the idea not long after opening the shop in 1922. He would break a large 'Flake" in half and stick it in an ice cream. A cadbury's rep asked Stephen if he could take this idea to his bosses at Cadbury's to which Stephen had no problem because in those days copyright was not something anyone ever considered. The rep asked Stephen what he called it and he gave it the name simply because the shop was sited at 99 Portobello High Street. The idea spread locally, then further afield.

There are other theories as to where the name came from but nothing is yet certain as many tried to claim the invention of the name. But even with that little mystery we can be sure that an Ice Cream is just not the same without a flake. 

Of course companies can't help but try to beat others by inventing the same product for cheaper. The same has been done by a company I am choosing to keep anonymous. Selling their version of "Flakes" to Ice Cream Traders via a blue or pink box. But, although cheaper than the real thing, they are nowhere near as good. A simple fact remains... You cant fake a flake! 

CSPI Attack Ben and Jerrys

Consumer watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is calling out popular ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's for using artificial and chemically-altered ingredients in its "All Natural" premium ice creams. According to CSPI at least 90 percent of the flavors used in "All Natural" Ben & Jerry's ice cream are not actually natural.

Some of these ingredients include corn syrup, alkalized cocoa, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, vanillin, maltodextrin and dextrose, all of which involve some type of chemical processing or are simply artificial. Alkalized cocoa, for instance, involves a chemical process that changes cocoa's natural flavor, texture and chemical structure, as well as eliminates some of its acidity and healthy antioxidant content. And vanillin is just an artificial version of vanilla.

"Ben & Jerry's sylvan labels notwithstanding, these ingredients come from the factory, not the farm. And slapping an 'all natural' label on the products certainly implies that the products are top quality and deserve to fetch a higher price," said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of CSPI. "It's a stretch to call any of [these ingredients] 'natural'."

CSPI has been after Ben & Jerry's, which is now part of the consumer product conglomerate Unilever, since 2002 over deceptive labeling. After bringing these problems to the attention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at that time, CSPI has watched the quality of Ben & Jerry's products get even worse

So now the group is now urging Ben & Jerry's to clean up its act and fix its deceptive labeling or else face legal charges to be brought before both the FDA and state attorneys general.

Did you Know this? Fun facts About Ice Cream

It takes about 50 licks to lick away one scoop of ice cream!

Of all the days of the week, most ice cream is bought on Sunday!

Kids aged 2-12 and adults over 45 eat the most ice cream!

More men (13%) admit to licking their ice cream bowl clean than women (8%)!

Vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip are the most popular ice cream flavors!

Chocolate syrup is the most popular ice cream topping!

5% of ice cream eaters share their ice cream with their pet!

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream was started in Vermont in an old gas station converted into an ice cream shop.  

It takes 12 pounds of milk to make 1 gallon of ice cream!

Between -5 and 0 degrees F is the best temperature for storing ice cream!

Between 6 and 10 degrees F is the best temperature for serving ice cream!

Air is an important ingredient in ice cream - it keeps the ice cream from freezing solid!

July is National Ice Cream Month!

The 3rd Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day!

Ice Cream Is Good Food - A Food Feel good Factor

Looking for good food? A treat, something sweet and possilby a little bit naughty?
Ice Cream delivers something most foods don't, and thats a feel good factor. A delicious Ice Cream can be just what you need if your trying to impress guests or just just impress your taste buds.
In our experience, especially with coorporate Hire, Weddings and Private Hire peoples faces light up knowing a Traditional Ice Cream is on the Menu.

Many play it safe and have the "99" and other are far more adventurous. How adventurous would you go? Sherbet Dipped waffle cones? Kickerbocker Glory? Boat Sundae? Or maybe an exotic fruity Sorbet?
Well if you fancy something Sweet, if you need a perk up, or just need to shut the kids up for ten minutes, Roberts Ices is always there with a smile :)