Food

The Chinese Invented Ice Cream Nearly 3,000 Years Ago

Seventh-century Emperor Tang of Shang employed 94 ice men whose sole job was to create frozen desserts. They made an early form of ice cream by mixing milk and rice and packing it in snow, creating a treat that predates European ice cream by millennia.

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Long before gelato or sundaes existed in Europe, Chinese royalty enjoyed frozen treats. The earliest version was a mixture of milk, rice, and snow, packed together to create a refreshing dessert. Emperor Tang of Shang maintained a staff of 94 ice men who harvested ice in winter and stored it in underground pits for summer use. This luxury was reserved for the elite, as ice storage required significant resources and labor. The Chinese also developed fruit-flavored ices and snow-based desserts. Marco Polo reportedly encountered these frozen treats during his travels and may have brought the concept back to Europe, though the exact lineage of ice cream remains debated among food historians.