Delightful Dairy Desserts

Mark Twain, after his visit to the Orient, declared: "Although there are 365 days in a year, India has 366 festivals." And each of these festivals, one may add, is celebrated with dairy desserts galore! Indians have a sweet tooth. And who can blame them? The delicious variety available is extremely difficult to resist. The delectable desserts, comprising mostly of dairy products, are tempting treats that are irresistible. The demand for these desserts has increased over the years. Ashok Malkani finds that packaged sweets have become more popular since the outbreak of Covid-19 and the pandemic.

- Ashok Malkani

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Yes, ice cream is one of the most loved dairy desserts, irrespective of age and season. In fact, thanks to U.S. president, Ronald Reagan, every third Sunday in July is celebrated as National Ice Cream Day. This was mainly because he wanted to commemorate the treat enjoyed by over 90 per cent of the U.S. population. This, in 1984, he decreed a day for ice cream.

But this frozen dessert is not just a favourite of Americans. It is equally cherished in India. As per a market survey conducted by IMARC group titled "Ice Cream Market in India: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027," ice cream market in India reached a value of Rs. 165.2 Billion in 2021 and would reach Rs. 436.2 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 17.69% during 2022-2027.

Ice cream market has been going through evolution wherein it has grown in shape as well as form. What was formerly perceived, by the customers, as an indulgence is now perceived as a snacking option. Today, besides companies like Amul, Mother Dairy, Kwality, Vadilal, and Ceam Bell there are several regional players.

So what is the history of this cherished dessert? There is no known inventor for this delectable dessert. However, ice cream history can be said to be as rich as gelato. It is believed that ice cream, like food, was first consumed in China sometime between 618-97 AD. It was made from buffalo milk, flour, and camphor. About a thousand years later, Marco Polo, who had returned to Italy from the Far East, had brought a recipe for sherbet, which ultimately, according to historians, evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century.