As the year goes by and summer approaches, the weather drastically changes in Dublin, California. From what once was a place of harsh winds and frigid temperatures became a place with humid winds and blazing sun rays. Although summer may mean it’s time to stop wearing cozy pajamas and drinking hot chocolate, it opens the opportunity for another sweet treat: ice cream! Ice cream is the perfect dessert to enjoy on a hot day. There are many different kinds of ice cream with distinct brands for people, such as popsicles, sandwiches, and even simple ice cream cones. However, a new controversy has emerged, doubting the quality of a famous ice cream cone, Drumsticks.
The controversy first started with a video that was posted on TikTok. In the video that received well over 20 million views, TikToker OliverBubs09 placed a Drumstick Cookies & Cream cone on a table and left it out for nearly 24 hours. Although some ice cream melted, most appeared to have remained solid—this shocked and confused many users on TikTok. The same TikToker then stated, “Just think. Your kids are eating this —-, I was eating it. But I will not eat it any longer. I will never eat these again.” He concluded that the solidity of the Drumstick meant that it wasn’t ice cream. The post has left viewers on Tiktok baffled and nervous regarding the incident.
The story of Drumsticks dates back to 1928, when they were first introduced as a delightful twist on the classic vanilla ice cream-topped sugar cones popular at county fairs. Nestle, which joined forces with Drumstick in 1991, traces the origin of Drumstick to a fateful incident. As the legend goes, founder I.C. Parker accidentally dropped his ice cream cone into a tub of chocolate, retrieved it, and placed it on a countertop coated in peanuts, thus creating the iconic Drumstick.
However, this story has been debated for a long time. As Yahoo Lifestyle in entertainment recalls, in reality, “the inventors of the Drumstick had difficulty getting the pre-packaged vanilla cones to hold up and not melt immediately. So, with the help of some food scientists, the company decided to add the hard-shell chocolate coating that is now a key part of the iconic Drumstick experience and a sprinkling of peanuts.”
Despite this, why aren’t Drumsticks considered to be an ice cream? The real reason is that Drumsticks were initially defined as a frozen dessert. For a long time, the packaging on Drumsticks has been labeled to be a “frozen dairy dessert.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), ice cream should have at least 10% of milk in it. However, Drumsticks doesn’t meet the qualifications. Drumsticks are made with plant-based oils like coconut, palm, and soybean oil. Dessert companies chose to use other fat ingredients due to the increasing price of the products. As Yahoo News states, “Sourcing dairy can be expensive and comes with strict regulations, so plant-based oils are often much easier to use. Plant-based oils also reduce the fat percentage, and thereby caloric content, which can make them more appealing to dieters and seen as a healthy alternative to real ice cream, “The plant-based oils are intended to be pleasing to consumers concerned about their health while eating ice cream. Because of the lack of dairy in the ice cream, Drumsticks doesn’t meet the standard for becoming an ice cream.
While the revelation that Drumsticks may not be classified as ice cream has left many in shock, they still remain a delicious frozen dessert, particularly suited for the summer heat. What’s more, drumsticks offer a health-conscious alternative to traditional ice cream. Their use of plant-based oils significantly reduces the fat content and caloric value, making them a guilt-free treat for those watching their diet.
Sources:
https://uk.style.yahoo.com/tiktok-freaking-shocking-discovery-drumstick-135700244.html
