Celebrity Dishes 
The Sweet Tale of the Ice Cream Scoop
When summer rolls around with its sweltering heat, one of my favorite pastimes is sharing a scoop (or three) of vegan ice cream with friends. But did you know that the ice cream scoop, as we know it today, was invented by an African-American gentleman named Alfred L. Cralle? In 1897, Cralle patented this handy device, which revolutionized how ice cream was served and forever ended the struggle with sticky and frozen spoons. His invention helped ice cream enthusiasts everywhere, allowing us to enjoy perfect scoops every time. I can’t help but think of Cralle when serving up my homemade avocado-banana ice cream to friends on my fire escape.
Cooking-Up the First Automatic Biscuit Cutter
Biscuits: those fluffy, delectable morsels that are the love language of Southern cooking. Thanks to Alexander P. Ashbourne, African-Americans played a significant part in their mass production. In 1875, Ashbourne patented the biscuit cutter, an innovative tool that helped transform biscuit production from a manual process to an automated one. As someone who loves making everything from scratch, my kitchen still benefits from Ashbourne’s ingenuity every time I bake my famous sweet potato biscuits (veganized, of course).
Peanut Butter’s Unsung Hero
Peanut butter has always been a pantry staple for quick bites, whether it’s smothered on toast or stirred into oatmeal. The creation of one of my favorite snacks was greatly influenced by Dr. George Washington Carver. While it’s a common misconception that he invented peanut butter, his revolutionary research elevated the peanut’s potential. Carver developed over 300 products from peanuts, including various food items! His innovation inspired generations and contributed heavily to the popularity of peanut products.
Revolutionizing the Meal with Freeze-Dried Coffee
Every morning is made better with a cup of coffee. Did you know it was an African-American, George Washington (not the president!), who patented the first successful process for making instant coffee in 1901? His invention made enjoying a java at a moment’s notice possible and became a staple during wartime due to its convenience. This same freeze-drying principle is why I can whip up dishes with rich dehydrated spices on my travels without the fear of spoilage, making his contribution invaluable to both caffeine lovers and globetrotters alike.
If you enjoyed this article or have suggestions on how we can improve it, please leave us a comment below. Also, make sure to check out other articles I’ve created or stories I’ve written about food culture – here.
