Who invented ice cream?

It’s hot.

It’s so warm that the Government has issued a level three amber heat alert.

In order to combat the heat many of us will turn to cold things, and there is no tastier cold thing than ice cream, but where did this moreish munch come from?

[Photo: Baidu]

A happy mistake or purposeful choice, ice cream is believed to have been invented in China circa 200BC, when a milk and rice mixture was frozen by packing it into snow.

However, although originating from China, it has taken almost 2000 years for the treat to truly take off there.

Now, one third of all ice cream bought globally is now consumed in China, which became the largest ice cream market in the world in 2014, beating the US by a lick with $11.4bn in sales compared with $11.2bn.

According to research conducted by Mintel, this change is due to changing consumer culture, as China enjoys a growing middle class with increased disposable income, while America becomes more health conscious with food choices.

Alex Beckett, food analyst at Mintel said: "The pace of development, coupled with the immensity of the population, is having an increasing impact on the Chinese ice cream market.”

She added: "However, the vast array of locally produced, low-price brands present a challenge for global ice cream giants looking to develop there."