There’s nothing better than enjoying an ice pop/popsicle/creamsicle on a hot day! Now that’s a lot of names, but these frozen treats do use these interchangeably. Despite some of these terms being real brand names, people have grown to use it to call these creamy and fruity treats on a stick!
The most original creamsicle contains vanilla ice cream on an ice lolly stick coated by iced orange juice! And from this citrusy flavor, other fruits have been used as variations such as blueberry, grapes, and this entry’s focus, strawberry!
Strawberry Creamsicle Trivia
- Creamsicles are said to be invented back in 1905 by an 11-year-old named Frank Epperson.
- August 14th is the National Creamsicle Day! Right in the middle of summer!
- Though creamsicle is an ice pop brand, this craze has invaded other food markets as well, like cupcakes, cocktails, smoothies, sodas, and more!
- The United States is said to be the world’s largest producer of strawberries, with California, Florida, and Oregon as the top-producing states. This fruit can be grown in every state in the US, as well as in almost every country in the world!
Strawberry Creamsicle Buying Guide
Strawberry creamsicles are easily accessible to the general public all-year-round through the big brands commercially producing these frozen treats. They are generally available in groceries, supermarkets or convenience stores.
Creamsicles are initially known to feature fruit flavors such as orange and strawberry. But they have also been developed to contain chocolate-flavored pops, or ice milk!
Strawberry Creamsicle Production & Farming in Texas
Texas is home to local producers and farms that grow and harvest strawberries. And having farm-fresh strawberries at their disposal, a whole horde of strawberry products are created, including the strawberry creamsicle.
Artisan producers and specialty confectionaries, dessert shops or the local producers making the best of their harvests can easily create homemade and wholesome versions of this frozen treat!
Preservatives, Additives, and Chemicals
Commercially made creamsicles do contain a lot of ingredients, many of which are artificial flavorings, sweeteners and preservatives. These ingredients do help these treats become so tasty, but moderation is the key! And of course, it would be better to look for producers of preservative and additive-free and wholesome creamsicles! Tasty and healthy! Now, here are some of the ingredients you might see on some creamsicle packs:
- Maltodextrin – a polysaccharide that is commonly added to packaged foods to improve its flavor, thickness, and shelf life. This white powdery substance is derived from corn, rice, potato starch, or wheat, however, it is highly processed, using acids or enzymes. Maltodextrin is considered by the US FDA to be a safe food additive and is counted in the total carbohydrate count in the food’s nutritional value. There are warnings that the maltodextrin may have a high glycemic index and might pose an issue for those with diabetes. But this substance is usually present in small amounts in food and therefore won’t have that much significant effect if taken moderately.
- Guar Gum – This is a polysaccharide that is used as a food additive in processed foods and can be derived from legumes called guar beans. It is used to thicken and bind food products, as it is soluble and can absorb water. The FDA recognizes this as safe for consumption in specific amounts. It has said to have some benefits like improving digestive health and decrease blood sugar and blood cholesterol, however, it may also trigger an allergic reaction, or cause gas and bloating.
- Carrageenan – This food additive can be derived from red seaweeds as well as in other vegan products. With it being derived from a plant, this is one of the manufacturer’s substitutes to replace gelatin which can be obtained from animals. However, there were some reports of side-effects of carrageenan such as inflammation, bloating, glucose intolerance, colon cancer, food allergies, and some more. And in 2016, the National Organic Standards Board ruled that food with carrageenan in its ingredients should not be labeled as “USDA organic.”
- Monoglycerides, Diglycerides – These are forms of fatty acids and are often used as emulsifiers, which help oil and water to blend. It is commonly added to packaged and frozen foods to help extend the shelf life, prevent oil from separating from the product, and to improve its texture and stability. They can be derived from plant-based oils or animal fats, but since concentrations are usually low, these are then sourced through chemical processes. These substances are said to contain trans fat, the artificial form of which is banned by the U.S. FDA from all foods as it has been linked to an increased risk of heart diseases and stroke. But it is said that the FDA ban does not apply to mono or diglycerides since they only contain small amounts of trans fat and are classified as emulsifiers, instead of lipids. These are also perceived as low-cost alternatives to trans fat.
Packaging
Strawberry Creamsicles or Creamsicles in general are usually packed in sealed transparent plastics to showcase the colorful treat, making it more visually enticing! Plastics are also preferred over paper as it can contain the creamsicle even on its melted, liquid state.
Enjoying Strawberry Creamsicles
Eat strawberry creamsicles, fresh from the freezer, to cool down on a hot day, or as a dessert even during colder times. Grab it with a friend, or as a treat for yourself! There’s no limit to how you can enjoy these!
These are also handy to store in the freezer, however, it is also important to take note that eating a lot of strawberry creamsicles, or even other flavors, will raise your sugar consumption. This is important to take note of, especially when buying the commercially made creamsicles. So consume moderately and look for healthier, wholesome versions, which use real strawberries, milk and sugar, instead of artificial flavors and sweeteners.
Storage
Strawberry creamsicles are best stored in the freezer, in sealed pouches or containers. For homemade creamsicles, if just left on the popsicle mold, it may pick the other freezer odors and get freezer burn. And that’s not a good thing for this sweet dessert!
It is also better to keep the creamsicles wrapped individually so it wouldn’t stick together.
It is said that popsicles, in general, can last for about 6 to 8 months as long as these are properly packed and stored in the freezer. It is also best to follow the “Best By” date on the packaging for store-bought variations.
Homemade Strawberry Creamsicles
Here’s a super-easy way and healthy version of strawberry creamsicles, as published by the website, superhealthykids.com! With just 2 ingredients and with artistic suggestions, kids and even adults can enjoy this treat!
Ingredients:
- 12 medium strawberries
- 1 cup – plain Greek yogurt
Instructions:
- Rinse and remove the greens from the strawberries.
- Pop the strawberries into the blender and blend them into a puree.
- You can add the yogurt to the puree then pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Or layer the strawberry puree and yogurt into the popsicle molds! Now you’ll have these red and white striped creamsicles!
- Freeze and enjoy!
