Eds: in a parody of one of our favourite CBC Radio shows, “The Debaters“, Eva and Deanna take on the following question:
Is ice cream soda a VILE PUNISHMENT or a DELECTABLE TREAT?
[Eva posts first thing in the a.m. Come back later for Deanna’s reply, when she will defend the Ice Cream Soda after having one specially prepared for her at Devour.]
Eva: A vile punishment. We call it a “float” up here in Canada, by the way.
It’s the skungee foam on top that really gets me. I like ice cream. There’s a special place in my heart for it. You know I like “soda” or as we call it here in Canada, “pop” [aside: I was recently in the US and stopped at McDonald’s to use the washroom. Still had a long drive ahead so, noticing it was a “serve yourself” joint, I ordered a small “fountain pop” from the girl behind the counter. Her response: “huh”? Um, a small soda, please? Oops.]
Anyway.
When I was in Grade 3 (“third grade” to you Americans – Terina!), we had floats at our Hallowe’en party. Mine was orange vanilla. They were probably all orange vanilla, come to think of it. I remember staring in horror at the curdled milk bits adorning the bubbles at the top of my float. “I’m sure it’s not meant to look like this”, I thought to my wee self. And yet all of my friends’ floats looked the same, and they were gulping them with glee.
I have to admit, at the age of 8 in Grade 3, I was impressionable. I was willing to force myself through an orange float if that’s what my friends were doing.
I will forever be haunted by the bright orange splash of vomit against the pure white snow drift on the way home from school. Milk, cream, ice cream: never meant to be carbonated. Especially in Orange Fanta.
That’s all. Ice cream floats are gross. If you want to know the history, look it up yourself. Some things should not be celebrated.
Deanna: GO TEAM DELECTABLE TREAT!!
So… um, I thought I had this one in the bag.
As mentioned by Eva, I had arranged for the expert help of Miss A, the lovely assistant at Devour who makes all of their amazing homemade ice creams and savoury sodas. Think lavender & mint seltzer and strawberry balsamic ice cream. This was going to be the foodies version of a float – no chemically smelling grape pop here.
Alas, when I got to Devour, Miss A had already disappeared home, apparently suffering from a memory lapse brought on by [alleged] hangover. There were no floats to be found.
Which leaves me with but one point in rebuttal: Eva does not eat bacon – and in matters of food, can you really trust someone who isn’t a shameless bacon eater? Clearly her judgement is DEEPLY impaired. Case closed. Victory to Team [Hypothetical] Delectable Treat!!!
PS – the orange fanta you can get in Europe rocks my world.
8 comments
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June 30, 2010 at 12:14 PM
Andrea
My problem was always that I couldn’t understand it. I could never seem to figure out how to eat the ice cream with the straw before it melted into the pop…it’s an odd one…
June 30, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Terina
It will always be grade three to me but I’ve been forced to assimilate! I brought rootbeer floats for Bella’s baseball wind up and you’ve never seen so many happy kids (of course add the pony keg in the cooler and there were even happier parents)! Andrea, the beauty is it’s a drink and a treat! You take a few bites, take a few sips. I’m a fan! Just don’t look liquid, Eva, and taste the deliciousness!
June 30, 2010 at 3:10 PM
Eva
Gak. There is no deliciousness in carbonated milk products!
June 30, 2010 at 6:33 PM
Sage
Haha! You guys are hilarious!
Despite my insignificant sweet tooth, I have fond memories of rootbeer with vanilla ice cream. I can’t imagine any other combination, but even now I would happily eat a bite or two – just not a whole float!
June 30, 2010 at 6:39 PM
Karen
In Australia they call them a spider.
July 1, 2010 at 7:31 AM
Sarah
I too am a float fan, but I’ve only had root beer I think. Eva, get thee to A&W and try one again! Persevere my dear.
And the orange fanta in Europe is superb. Especially when watching Finding Nemo in Ireland and being the loudest ‘kids’ in the theatre.
July 1, 2010 at 9:40 AM
HAPPY CANADA DAY! « 365 Foods
[…] I’m pretty sure the women at Devour have it covered with their Strawberry Balsamic Ice Cream (mentioned yesterday by Dea in the great Ice Cream Soda / Float / “Spider” (thanks, Karen!) […]
August 6, 2010 at 8:51 AM
National Rootbeer Float Day « 365 Foods
[…] National Rootbeer Float Day. If you’re a regular reader of 365foods, you’ll recall that Eva already throughly canvased the evils of icecream floats, and (I tried to) rebutt. Regular readers will also know that my ability to truly do some gastromonic research on ice-cream […]