Iran’s frozen secret
Falooda, the flavored milk delicacy with vermicelli and ice cream is traditionally associated with Navroz. Faloodeh, a traditional ice cream in ancient Iran, has given rise to speculation that Iran can claim to be the birthplace of ice cream, according to a video on "The world’s oldest ice cream?” produced by BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) Travel. The traditional ice cream had milk, sugar, saffron, starch and rose water. Sheep’s milk was supposed to give it a better flavor.
Yakhchal in Persia: birthplace of ice cream? Photos courtesy BBC Travel
"For thousands of years the people of Iran have been making and enjoying sweet frozen desserts made possible by an ancient and ingenious form of refrigeration,” explained the video. Yakhchal, a cone shaped structure with an underground chamber in the desert area of ancient Persia, was used for storage around 400 BC. This may well be "Iran’s frozen secret.” The heat resistant construction material helps to preserve ice cream around the year.
Prior to the import of ice cream making machines, a small pot of milk would be placed in a larger pot of ice. The cold transferred from the ice to the milk by a rotational movement led to the formation of ice crystals and subsequently ice cream. This being a time consuming and laborious process, it gradually disappeared from Iran and was modified for use in Italy.
Iranians prefer sweet and fatty ice cream as compared to the Europeans who like theirs with less sugar and fat, as per the BBC video.