Last year, my travels led me to Norway, where I discovered an intriguing “ice farm.” I documented that adventure for Vinepair and, while my final article ended up a bit longer than expected, I’m excited to share some fascinating tidbits that didn’t make the cut over the next few days.
For now, you can check out the full article here.
Historical Context
Flashback to the early 1800s in America: refreshing beverages like juleps and cobblers gained new popularity thanks to the increasing availability of ice year-round.
In the chill of winter, laborers would harvest massive blocks of ice from lakes and ponds in Massachusetts and Maine.
They sold this ice locally or shipped it overseas in specially designed insulated containers.
Before long, the trend of ice-chilled cocktails made its way across the Atlantic, enchanting drinkers in the United Kingdom.
Publications such as Charlie Paul’s “Recipes of American and other Iced Drinks” inspired ice delivery services in London, whose operators donned uniforms embellished with eagle buttons to showcase the American connection.
Ice, once considered a luxury, found its main supplier in the Wenham Lake Ice Company from Massachusetts.
However, the market soon got flooded with counterfeit ice, tarnishing its initial appeal.
The Rise of Ice in the UK
By the 1870s, ice consumption in the U.K. had surged notably over the previous twenty years, but it still hadn’t reached the status of a household essential that it enjoyed in America.
At that time, Norway emerged as a major source of ice for British consumers, building on its long history of ice and fish exports.
Tapping into this lucrative opportunity, one Norwegian company even renamed a local body of water from Lake Oppegård to Wenham Lake, aiming to connect their ice to the revered American brand.
Continuing the Exploration
Feeling curious about this frosty renaissance? Continue your exploration here.
Source: Alcademics