Sweet Spot: An Ice Cream Binge Across America by Amy Ettinger

For Amy Ettinger, ice cream is not just a delicious snack but a circumstance and a time of year—frozen forever in memory. As the youngest child and only girl, ice cream embodied unstructured summers, freedom from the tyranny of her classmates, and a comforting escape from her chaotic, demanding family. 

Now as an adult and journalist, her love of ice cream has led to a fascinating journey to understand ice cream’s evolution and enduring power, complete with insight into the surprising history behind America’s early obsession with ice cream and her experience in an immersive ice-cream boot camp to learn from the masters. From a visit to the one place in the United States that makes real frozen custard in a mammoth machine known as the Iron Lung, to the vicious competition among small ice-cream makers and the turf wars among ice-cream trucks, to extreme flavors like foie gras and oyster, Ettinger encounters larger-than-life characters and uncovers what’s really behind America’s favorite frozen treats.*

This is the perfect read for ice cream for ice cream lovers! Each chapter focuses on a different facet of ice cream whether it is about the ice cream truck or strange ice cream flavors. For me, the book balanced personal narrative and ice cream history well. There is even the added bonus of recipes that you can make yourself. This along with stories about well known ice cream stores and brands makes it for the perfect reference book for anyone who loves this sweet treat.

Kelsey Fitzgerald
Library Assistant

Available through the MVLC Catalog *Sweet Spot: An Ice Cream Binge Across America - Amazon