Flight Ice Cream
Flight ice cream, also known as astronaut ice cream, is a unique freeze-dried ice cream created for the space program. It's known for its light, crunchy texture and the fun experience of eating ice cream in an unusual form. Let's take a closer look at the history, science, taste, and future of flight ice cream.
The Origins of Flight Ice Cream
Flight ice cream was originally developed by food scientist William A. Mitchell for the Apollo space missions in the late 1960s. Mitchell worked for the Whirlpool Corporation, which was contracted by NASA to create suitable foods for astronauts to eat in space.
Regular ice cream was clearly unsuitable for space travel due to it melting and making a messy clean-up impossible on spaceships. So Mitchell found a way to remove almost all the water content from ice cream through a freeze drying process. This created a lightweight, crunchy, easy-to-store version ideal for zero gravity.
It's unclear if astronauts ever actually ate flight ice cream in space during Apollo missions. But the novelty product took off with the public, representing the futuristic appeal of space travel. Whirlpool and other brands started selling freeze-dried Neapolitan ice cream in gift shops, especially near NASA sites.
How Flight Ice Cream Is Made
Flight ice cream gets its unique properties through a process known as freeze drying. This involves:
- Mixing milk, cream, sugar and flavorings to create a soft ice cream base.
- Freezing the ice cream very fast at temperatures below -10°F solidify it.
- Putting the frozen ice cream in a vacuum chamber and lowering the pressure to turn moisture in the ice cream directly from solid ice to water vapor through sublimation.
- Capturing the water vapor on condenser coils in the chamber so the ice cream layers don't melt.
- Packaging the freeze-dried ice cream in foil pouches to prevent absorption of moisture.
This entire process removes up to 97% of the water that makes ice cream smooth and creamy. What's left behind is a delicate, airy matrix that maintains the ice cream structure.
Texture and Taste
The highly unusual texture and taste is what makes flight ice cream such a novelty. Since almost all the water is removed, it lacks the cold, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth feel of regular ice cream. The texture is:
- Dry and crumbly
- Extremely lightweight and porous
- Crunchy
When eaten, the freeze-dried matrix quickly absorbs moisture from the mouth and partially reconstitutes into something resembling whipped cream for a short time before dissolving away completely.
The taste is sweet and milky, but lacking in richness due to the very low fat and milk content. It is mildly creamy and vanilla-flavored. The crunchy texture combined with the hint of creaminess makes for an unusual but fun eating experience!
Variations
While classic flight ice cream comes in Neapolitan layers of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, many other flavors and styles exist. Popular varieties include:
- Cookies and cream
- Mint chocolate chip
- Chocolate fudge
- Strawberry cheesecake
- Banana split
- Neapolitan with sprinkles
There are also chocolate and candy coated versions for extra crunch. While traditional flight ice cream has a soft, almost chewy texture, some modern versions use extra air puffing to create an extremely crisp, brittle meringue-like consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Due to the low fat and water content, flight ice cream is lower in calories and richer in carbs than regular ice cream. A 1 ounce serving contains:
- 100 calories
- 0 g fat
- 24 g carbs
- 2 g protein
It offers minimal nutritional value beyond some calcium and carbohydrate energy. It can be safely consumed by those with lactose intolerance because the milk proteins and fat are so greatly reduced. But it does contain milk ingredients, so it is not vegan.
Storage and Shelf Life
One advantage of flight ice cream is its long shelf life. Kept sealed in its foil pouch, it can last 1-2 years at room temperature without deteriorating in quality.
Once opened, it is important to reseal the package tightly to prevent moisture absorption. Eat within a few days once opened for best texture and taste.
If the ice cream does end up absorbing some humidity, it may become sticky, stiff, or melt into a syrupy liquid. Simply place it in a very low oven or dehydrator for an hour or so to revive the crunchy texture.
Where to Buy Flight Ice Cream
Flight ice cream can be purchased online through retailers like Amazon or direct from manufacturers like Cosmic Candy. It's also stocked as a novelty item in some candy and novelty gift stores, especially near science museums and airports.
Look for individually wrapped 1-2 ounce pouches. Prices range from about $1 to $3 per pouch. Buying in bulk packages offers a lower per-unit price.
Flight Ice Cream in Pop Culture
This space age treat has made it's way into pop culture due to it's futuristic origins:
- Flight ice cream was featured in the hit TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory when the characters go to NASA.
- It has been incorporated into artistic photo shoots and gallery shows with space themes.
- Music groups have written quirky songs about flight ice cream.
- It's frequently mentioned in books and media about astronaut food innovations.
It adds a touch of intergalactic fun to any space-themed party. Serving flight ice cream makes a great conversation starter about space food history.
The Future of Flight Ice Cream
While flight ice cream has been around for decades, new interest and innovations keep it fresh. Trends include:
- New flavors - Brands are getting creative with flavors like salted caramel, cookies and cream, and chocolate mint.
- Vegan versions - Some brands use plant-based ingredients to create non-dairy flight ice cream suitable for vegans.
- Candy coatings - Coatings made of puffed rice, chocolate, or freeze-dried fruits add extra crunch appeal.
- Private spaceflight - As private space tourism ramps up, flight ice cream may once again actually make it to space!
While no food can match the sublime experience of real ice cream, the novelty of flight ice cream endures. This crunchy treat lets you boldly go where no creamy dessert can!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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