[Sca-cooks] Re: Period Ices/Sorbets/Cold Treats?

[Druighad at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/31/01 2:52:15 PM Central Daylight Time,
alysk at ix.netcom.com writes:

<<
 But... prior to 1600?  I sure would trust Elizabeth David's
 scholarship over a culinary magazine, for example.  Or over the
 beliefs of the Ice Cream Council.  Last Sunday our local newspaper
 printed an "authoritative" timeline.  It states:
 1200: Flavored water ices were known in Asia for centuries. Venetian
 adventurer Marco Polo brings back to Italy recipes for making these
 treats.
 1600: Early colonists bring ice cream recipes to America.

 Their sources include Dreyers web site, an ice cream magazine,
 International Dairy Foods Association, etc.  That 1600 assertion
 that colonists bring recipes starts warning sirens in my head.  I
 have not seen any references to ice cream prior to 1600 and you
 can't tell me that the colonists just happened to have some
 confectioner's secret recipe.  Elizabeth David makes  frequent
 references to words that look like modern words but had a different
 meaning in an earlier time.  Specifically, the Turkish sorbet.
 Anyone else out there up to reading this book?  Finnebhir?? >>

I'll be up to reading some new material after Pennsic, when I actually have
some time on my hands again, but I still can't find that reference....


Just found it. What is actually being discussed is the process for making
frozen desserts and it is from " the Magia Naturalis" 1589, Giambattista
della Porta, Italy. A 13th century Arab treatise is also mentioned, but not
named or detailed. Also, the article mentions that "by 1600's, Sicilian ice
cream makers were famous throughout Italy, creating granitas(and such) for
aristocratic households" Some starting points could be other texts that were
quoted from. Not SCA period, but maybe a jumping point to earlier texts?

"A Tour Through Sicily and Malta" Patrick Brydone- 1773

"Picturesque Voyage to Sicily" Jean Houel-1784

"A Tour in Italy and Sicily" L. Simond-1828


Sorry couldn't be more help. Where can I get a copy of Elizabeth David's book
thaqt deals with ices?

Finnebhir