In a cozy house in a small village, Eloy always eagerly awaits the arrival of his grandchildren. Every evening, by a crackling fireplace and with a mischievous smile, he starts his stories by saying, "Did you know that when I was young, I traveled to the Renaissance and helped an alchemist turn lead into popcorn? But that’s not the story I want to tell you today."
"Today, I’ll tell you about a wonderful and warm time, in the ancient lands of Mesopotamia. It was there, without even knowing it, that I invented the first ice cream in the world."
It all began on a day so hot that even the camels wore hats to protect themselves from the sun. I was a curious young man, always looking for new adventures, and had decided to visit the city of Ur, one of the most bustling and lively places of the time. The streets were full of life, with merchants selling exotic fabrics, fragrant spices, and gleaming jewels. The adobe houses and brick temples rose majestically under the burning Mesopotamian sun.
In the market of Ur, there was a constant buzz. Vendors shouted, offering their goods, from barley grains to exquisite ceramic pots. Goats roamed freely, and children were running around with puppies wearing tiny hats made of palm leaves. Imagine a place where mobile phones didn’t exist, and instead, people talked face to face—and the goats didn’t have to worry about getting their picture taken!
The merchants sold things that would seem curious to us today. For example, there was a man selling sandals made of crocodile skin, and right next to him, a woman was offering makeup made from ground beetle powder. I always wondered how they kept those beetles so happy to produce such shiny powder.
When I arrived, I found a festival in full swing. The streets were filled with people enjoying music, dancing, and endless delicious treats. Drums echoed, flutes played joyful melodies, and people danced with overflowing energy. I joined the crowd and soon discovered that the king of Ur, the great Shulgi, had a sweet tooth. I decided it was the perfect time to share a new creation I had been dreaming up during my long walks in the desert: a cold and refreshing dessert!
I gathered some basic ingredients: goat’s milk, honey, and fresh fruits. The goat’s milk was thick and creamy, the honey was golden and fragrant, and the fruits, juicy and vibrant, were a delight for the senses. But how could I cool them down in such heat? I remembered a story some shepherds had told me about a nearby cave where ice would collect during the winter and, with luck, there might still be some left.
I set out on a journey to the nearby mountains, and after much effort and several wrong turns, I found the cave. The entrance was half-hidden by vines and bushes, but once inside, the air was cool, and there were blocks of ice gleaming in the dim light. Carefully, I broke off some chunks and carried them back to the city, where I began my experiment.
The journey back was an adventure in itself. Imagine, dear grandchildren, carrying blocks of ice under the scorching Mesopotamian sun. I had to stop frequently to rest in the shade of a palm tree, and to keep the ice from melting, I built a little hat for it out of palm leaves. Don’t laugh, but I think I invented the first portable cooler in history.
Back in Ur, I mixed the goat’s milk with honey and fruit, then added the crushed ice. I stirred the mixture vigorously until it became creamy and cold. The result was amazing: a delicious and refreshing treat that had never existed before in Mesopotamia.
I brought my creation to the festival and offered it to King Shulgi. When he tasted it, his eyes lit up with joy, and he proclaimed that this dessert would be known as the "Food of the Gods." And so, without realizing it, I invented the first ice cream in history.
That night, the entire city of Ur celebrated and enjoyed the new dessert. Children ran around with shells filled with ice cream, women laughed as they tasted the delight, and men toasted to the new invention. And I, Eloy, became a legend among the people of Mesopotamia for bringing such a wonderful treat to their lives.
It wasn’t easy at first. I had to convince the skeptics that a cold dessert in a hot climate was a good idea. Some elders said milk should be drunk warm to be healthy, but one bite of the ice cream was enough to change their minds. The news spread quickly, and soon visitors from other cities came just to taste the famous ice cream of Ur.
King Shulgi was so pleased that he named me Master of Desserts and gave me access to the royal kitchen. There, with the help of the best cooks in Mesopotamia, I perfected the recipe. We added nuts, exotic spices, and even edible flowers to give it new flavors and textures. Every day, new versions of the ice cream appeared, and people couldn’t wait to try them.
But the real adventure began when the ice cream crossed the borders of Ur. Merchants and travelers took the recipe to other kingdoms, and soon ice cream became a sensation. From Babylon to Persia, everyone wanted to try the cold treat created by a strange traveler in Ur.
And that, with a bit of curiosity and a lot of ice, is how I invented the first ice cream in the world and brought it from Mesopotamia to all corners of the ancient Middle East.
"And so, dear grandchildren, this story comes to an end. Now, off to bed! Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the time I taught the Etruscans how to make mosaics out of candy. Good night and sweet dreams."