Ice Cream
冰激凌

The meaning of “ice cream” varies from one country to another. Phrases such as “frozen custard”“frozen yogurt” “sorbet” “gelato” and others are used to distinguish different varieties and styles. Generally “ice cream” refers to a frozen food made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavors. The finished product is a smoothly textured semi-solid foam that is malleable and can be scooped. Most ice creams contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners. For people who are lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy protein, or vegan, analogues made from dairy alternatives, such as goat's or sheep's milk, or milk substitutes are available.
“冰激凌”一词在不同国家有不同的解读。人们使用各种叫法，如“软质奶油冰激凌” “酸奶冰激凌” “果汁冰糕” “意式冰激凌”等，来区分不同种类和形式的冰激凌。冰激凌一般指用牛奶或奶油等奶制品制成的冷冻食品，常加入水果或其他配料和香料。其成品是一种滑嫩的半固体奶油，具有延展性，可以用容器舀出制成各种形状。冰激凌大多含糖，尽管有时也使用其他增甜剂。对于患有乳糖不耐症的人、对牛奶蛋白质过敏的人或严格的素食主义者来说，他们可以选择用牛奶替代品（如羊奶或代乳品）制成的类冰激凌。

Ice cream's origins can reach back as far as the second century B.C. Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavored with fruits and juices. Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo saw ice cream being made on his trip to China, and introduced ice cream to Italy on his return. France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry Ⅱ of France. It wasn't until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public.
冰激凌的起源可以追溯到公元前二世纪。亚历山大大帝喜爱在冰雪中加入蜂蜜和花蜜享用。罗马帝国时代，尼禄·克劳狄乌斯·恺撒时常派人到深山中寻找积雪，然后加入水果和果汁调味。一千多年后，马可·波罗在前往中国的途中发现人们在制作冰激凌，并将冰激凌带回意大利。1553年，意大利公主凯瑟琳·德·梅迪茜嫁给法国国王亨利二世时，将冰激凌带到了法国。直到1660年普通大众才能吃得上冰激凌。