In 1984 President Reagan declared July National Ice Cream Month, an honor long overdue. There are more myths about the origin of ice cream than there are flavors found in modern ice cream parlors, yet each story contains some truth.

Ice cream’s origins reach as far as the second century B.C., and some historians claim that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks; and during the time of the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavored with fruits and juices.

Most historians agree that Marco Polo returned to Italy from China in the 13th century with a recipe that closely resembles what is now called sherbet. It is believed this recipe and the know-how of freezing things by combining of ice and salt evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. Ice cream is defined as a frozen dessert, usually made from d...