Close your eyes and imagine a taste that makes you smile - chances are, it’s ice cream!

It may be hard to believe, but ice cream has a history spanning over 2,000 years. Even in ancient China, people enjoyed a dessert made from snow, fruit, and honey. In ancient Rome, nobles paired ice cream with fruit juices. However, the ice cream we know today only appeared in the 17th century in Italy and France.

Since then, it has likely become the flavor of summer and one of childhood’s sweetest memories. It’s impossible not to smile when you remember running around the yard with a waffle cone in hand. For some, ice cream brings memories of popsicles on sticks; for others, it’s three scoops of vanilla in a metal cup, covered with chocolate, bursting with happiness. And for many, the image of a cone-shaped ice cream wrapped in white paper, with a thin chocolate shell, immediately comes to mind.

Smiling yet?  Then keep reading!

Scientists have found that the combination of sweet and cold directly stimulates the brain’s pleasure center, known as the hedonic center.

A study conducted by a London institute found that eating ice cream activates the part of the brain responsible for happiness, emotional satisfaction, and pleasure.

From a psychological perspective, ice cream is often associated with safety and a caring environment. It creates what psychologists call “emotional imprinting,” especially if, as a child, ice cream was linked to rewards, pleasant walks, or summer adventures.

Even if we aren’t fully aware of it…

When we eat ice cream, we don’t just enjoy its flavor - psychologically, we return to a time when everything was simple, sunny, and sweet.

Some fun statistics:

87% of Americans say ice cream is the first thing they remember from childhood memories.

A study in Japan found that eating ice cream in the morning improves attention and reaction speed.

In Finland, there’s a term “jäätelöhetki,” meaning “ice cream moment,” traditionally used to signify a moment of emotional encouragement or a break.

A little nutrition, a little cold texture, lots of memories, and a huge dopamine boost - that’s why we love ice cream.

And no, it’s not about the sugar or tradition. It’s about that small, inner smile we feel from the very first bite.

Georgians love ice cream too, as shown by its high demand. It’s cherished not only as a dessert but as an emotional experience, an inseparable part of summer, and a taste of childhood joy. Favorite flavors include strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla - classics that never go out of style. Equally popular are crème brûlée, pistachio, and stracciatella, indulgent flavors rich in Italian inspiration.

One of Georgia’s ice cream producers, Paloma, has been crafting top-quality ice cream for over 15 years using premium European ingredients. Beyond classic and premium flavors, Paloma offers sugar-free ice cream, perfect for those avoiding sugar but unwilling to compromise on enjoyment. These ice creams contain no added sugar and prove once again that healthy can also be delicious. Paloma ice creams are made with high-quality European ingredients and cream butter, giving them a refined, exceptional taste.