Penny lick: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:09, 15 February 2025

Penny Lick[edit]

The penny lick was a small glass used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for serving ice cream. It was named for its cost, a penny, and the manner in which the ice cream was consumed, by licking it directly from the glass. The penny lick was a popular street food item in Victorian era London and other urban areas.

Design[edit]

The penny lick glass was typically made of thick glass with a shallow depression at the top to hold a small amount of ice cream. The design was simple and utilitarian, allowing vendors to serve ice cream quickly to customers. The thick glass made the portion of ice cream appear larger than it actually was, which was a clever marketing tactic.

Hygiene Concerns[edit]

The use of penny licks raised significant hygiene concerns. Since the glasses were reused without proper washing, they became a vector for the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. The practice of sharing these glasses among multiple customers without adequate sanitation led to public health issues.

Discontinuation[edit]

Due to the health risks associated with penny licks, they were eventually banned in many areas. In the early 20th century, they were replaced by more hygienic alternatives such as the ice cream cone, which was disposable and did not require washing. The introduction of the ice cream cone marked the end of the penny lick era.

Legacy[edit]

Despite their discontinuation, penny licks remain a part of culinary history and are sometimes collected as antiques. They serve as a reminder of the evolution of food safety standards and the impact of public health on food service practices.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Penny lick''' was a type of glass used for serving ice cream in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was small, typically holding less than an ounce of ice cream, which cost one penny.
+== Penny Lick ==
-==History==
+[[File:Penny_Lick_Glasses_009.jpg|thumb|right|A collection of penny lick glasses]]
-The [[Penny lick|penny lick]] originated in [[Victorian era|Victorian]] England and was popular throughout the 19th century. The glass was designed to be licked clean by the customer and then returned to the vendor, who would reuse it for the next customer. This practice was eventually banned in many places due to health concerns.
-==Design==
+The '''penny lick''' was a small glass used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for serving ice cream. It was named for its cost, a penny, and the manner in which the ice cream was consumed, by licking it directly from the glass. The penny lick was a popular street food item in [[Victorian era]] [[London]] and other urban areas.
-The [[Penny lick|penny lick]] was typically a small, fluted glass that held a small amount of ice cream. The glass was designed to be small enough to be easily held in one hand, and the fluted design made it easy to lick the ice cream out of the glass.
-==Health concerns and ban==
+== Design ==
-In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, health officials began to raise concerns about the sanitary conditions of penny licks. Because the glasses were reused without being washed, they were a potential source of disease transmission. In response to these concerns, many cities and towns banned the use of penny licks. This led to the development of the [[ice cream cone]], which could be eaten along with the ice cream and did not need to be returned to the vendor.
-==Legacy==
+The penny lick glass was typically made of thick glass with a shallow depression at the top to hold a small amount of ice cream. The design was simple and utilitarian, allowing vendors to serve ice cream quickly to customers. The thick glass made the portion of ice cream appear larger than it actually was, which was a clever marketing tactic.
-Despite its eventual ban, the penny lick has left a lasting legacy. It is often cited as an example of the unsanitary conditions of the Victorian era, and it played a role in the development of the ice cream cone. Today, penny licks are collectible items, sought after by collectors of antique glassware and ice cream memorabilia.
+== Hygiene Concerns ==
+[[File:Penny_Lick_Glasses_009.jpg|thumb|left|Close-up of a penny lick glass]]
+The use of penny licks raised significant hygiene concerns. Since the glasses were reused without proper washing, they became a vector for the spread of diseases such as [[tuberculosis]] and other infectious diseases. The practice of sharing these glasses among multiple customers without adequate sanitation led to public health issues.
+== Discontinuation ==
+Due to the health risks associated with penny licks, they were eventually banned in many areas. In the early 20th century, they were replaced by more hygienic alternatives such as the [[ice cream cone]], which was disposable and did not require washing. The introduction of the ice cream cone marked the end of the penny lick era.
+== Legacy ==
+Despite their discontinuation, penny licks remain a part of culinary history and are sometimes collected as antiques. They serve as a reminder of the evolution of food safety standards and the impact of public health on food service practices.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Ice cream cone]]
+* [[Victorian era]]
+* [[Public health]]
-[[Category:Food utensils]]
 [[Category:Ice cream]]
 [[Category:Victorian era]]
-[[Category:19th century in England]]
+[[Category:Food history]]
-{{food-stub}}