It seems a little fitting considering it is 81 degrees where I live with 68% humidity. It's hot, it's sticky, I'm not going to complain after our -50 degree days this past winter.
What is it about the Popsicle that's so classic and refreshing? Let's take a look at how the Popsicle was invented.
In 1905, eleven-year-old Frank Epperson from San Francisco, California invented the popular hot weather treat, the Popsicle as we know it today. However, the invention supposedly came about as a pure accident! According to the Popsicle company, one cold evening Frank left a mixture of powder flavored soda water with a stir stick in it on the porch. Because of the cold weather outside, he awoke to a frozen treat on a stick.
Seventeen years later, in 1922, Epperson served his ice lollipops at a Fireman’s ball and they were a huge hit. It didn’t take long then for Epperson to realize the commercial possibilities of his accidental invention. A year later, in 1923, he introduced the frozen pop on a stick to the public at Neptune Beach, an amusement park in Alameda, California. It was a big success. He soon after applied and received a patent for a “frozen confectionery”, in 1924, which he named the “Epsicle Ice Pop”. He began producing it in different fruit flavors on birch wood sticks.
Epperson and his partners set up a royalty arrangement with the Popsicle Corporation, but Mr. Epperson sold his patent to the Popsicle after 1925, to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. At the time, he was broke and had to liquidate all his assets to stay afloat. The Joe Lowe Company grew the brand as the Popsicle gained popularity, diversifying into similar frozen treats such as the twin Popsicle, Fudgsicle, Creamsicle and Dreamsicle. The Popsicle brand today belongs to Unilever’s Good Humor division, having been owned by a number of companies since its inception.
There are some sources that say this story is hog-wash, when has it ever been below freezing in San Francisco, CA? The lowest recorded temperature ever was 23 degrees so I suppose it could happen. I always remember having boxes full of Popsicles and that grape was always the flavor that we WOULDN'T eat. I did find this yummy looking recipe made from fresh grapes though that might tantalize some taste buds out there.
Fresh Grape Sorbet (Turned popsicle form)
About 1 quart (1L)
2 1/4-pounds (1kg) fresh, flavorful grapes (such as Muscat, Zinfandel, Concord or a wine-making variety), rinsed and stemmed
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1. In a large non-reactive pot, add the grapes along with the water. Cover, stirring from time to time, and cook until the grapes are soft.
2. Remove from heat and pass the grapes through a food mill with the attachment with the smallest holes. If you don’t have a food mill, press them through a fine-mesh strainer, which will take a bit of force. Different grapes will yield differing amounts of juice.
3. Add the sugar and corn syrup and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Chill thoroughly, pour into popsicle molds, and freeze!
Note: If you wish to omit the corn syrup, you can substitute an equal amount of mild-flavored honey or Golden Syrup, or an additional 3 tablespoons of sugar.
Recipe Courtesy of http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/09/fresh-grape-sherbet/
I found the idea to use this recipe in Popsicle molds from http://i-heart-baking.blogspot.com/2011/04/fresh-grape-popsicles.html who used the above recipe!
If you're wondering where to get Popsicle molds..I found some great ones on Amazon!
Popsicle’s are one of summertime’s favorite treats, for kids of all ages, and today honors one of the most popular flavors, GRAPE!
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