Of Ice and Cream, to Sell it!

Looking back from where we are, it is hard to believe that in the 19th century, one of the most coveted imports from the United States was ice and an enterprising American even made a huge fortune selling it to India! This businessman from Boston, Frederic Tudor (1783-1864), also incidentally introduced another staple – ice cream – which was basically brought in to ensure that there was more demand for his ice. The story is riveting!

You may ask why was India, home to the snow-capped Himalayas, importing ice all the way from the United States, in the first place? The answer can be found in the not so well known history of the ice trade in India.