Whipped cream is a beloved topping for everything from pumpkin pie to hot chocolate.
Its light, airy texture and sweet flavor make it a delicious addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
But who first created this versatile ingredient that we know and love today?
The Earliest Known Versions of Whipped Cream
The earliest written recipes featuring whipped cream date back to the 16th century in Europe. Whipped cream was often called "milk snow" or "cream snow" in these early recipes.
In 1549, an Italian recipe by Cristoforo di Messisbugo called for a dessert topped with "neve di latte servita con zuccaro sopra" or "milk snow with sugar on top." This is likely the first written recipe using something resembling modern whipped cream.
Around the same time in 1604, the Italian chef Bartolomeo Scappi also published a recipe book featuring "neve di latte." Scappi served the sweetened whipped cream over pies and other desserts for the Vatican.
In France, the earliest known recipe for whipped cream comes from Lancelot de Casteau in 1604. De Casteau was the master chef for three prince-bishops in Liège, Belgium. His recipe for "neige de crème" or "cream snow" instructs cooks to whisk cream until frothy and serve it over fruit or other desserts.
So while whipped cream was not called by its modern name until much later, these early recipes show it already being used as a light, sweet topping. The basic concept was there, even if the techniques and ingredients have evolved over time.
The Evolution of Whipping Methods
In these early centuries, cream was whipped by hand using branches from willow, rush, or other trees. Cooks would whip the cream in a bowl with the branches until the whey separated and foam formed on top. This foam was skimmed off and served - a process that took at least an hour!
The French term "crème fouettée" meaning "whipped cream" first appeared in writing in 1629, showing that whipping methods were evolving. But hand-whipping still remained common through the 1700s.
It was not until the late 1800s that most cooks switched to using whisks and mechanized whisks to reduce the effort and time required. The industrial revolution brought more advanced kitchen tools that allowed faster whipping.
So while early whipped cream required immense effort and time, thankfully technology has made creating this fluffy topping much simpler for modern home cooks!
The Possible Role of Catherine de' Medici
According to legend, the Italian noblewoman Catherine de' Medici introduced whipped cream to the French court when she married King Henry II in 1533.
As the wife of the king, she is said to have brought Italian chefs and recipes with her to France. Her chefs supposedly whipped cream and served the new delicacy at court.
However, there is no concrete evidence that de' Medici herself brought whipped cream to France. The earliest French recipes post-date her time by several decades.
But it is certainly possible that the fashion for whipped cream spread from Italy to France during this cultural exchange. De' Medici exposed the French nobility to many Italian cuisine trends, so whipped cream may have been among them.
François Vatel and Chantilly Cream
The French palace Château de Chantilly has been closely associated with whipped cream, known as "Chantilly cream" in English. But the famous Maître d'Hôtel François Vatel did not invent this specialty cream, despite legend claiming so.
Vatel worked as the master of ceremonies and entertainments for Louis II de Bourbon in the mid-1600s. He was in charge of spectacular feasts and events at the Chantilly palace.
The myth holds that Vatel invented Chantilly cream when he whipped small amounts of cream into a greater volume to serve important guests. But historians agree this legend is false for several reasons:
- Vatel was not even a cook, just the majordomo in charge of hosting.
- No recipes from the time period feature Chantilly cream or mention Vatel inventing it.
- Vatel died in 1671, but Chantilly cream did not appear in cookbooks until around 1750.
So while Vatel exemplified French hospitality and service, he unfortunately cannot be credited with creating Chantilly cream.
The Emergence of Chantilly Cream
The first known recipe for the thicker, richer whipped cream we now call Chantilly cream appeared in 1750. The recipe for "Fromage à la Chantilly" or "Chantilly-style cheese" comes from the cookbook La Science du Maître d'Hôtel Cuisinier by François Menon.
Menon's recipe instructs readers to whip the cream with ice to create a thicker consistency that can be molded and sliced. This early frozen Chantilly cream resembles modern ice cream.
Food historian Pierre Leclercq argues that Chantilly cream has its roots in Sicilian gelato. He points to the famous Parisian café owner Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, who was known for his velvety gelato.
When the Prince of Condé visited Chantilly in 1722, Procopio specially prepared ice cream topped with Chantilly cream for the royal guest. The dairy at Chantilly most likely then adopted Procopio's recipe to create the thicker whipped cream that became famous.
Either way, we have Procopio and Menon to thank for recording the first recipes for the rich Chantilly cream we recognize today. Their innovations elevated simple whipped cream into the prestige delicacy still associated with Chantilly.
The Evolution of Industrial Production
Once new kitchen technologies like whisks and electric mixers became available in the late 1800s, whipping cream became much faster and easier. This allowed chefs to easily serve whipped cream in restaurants, cafes, and homes.
But it was the aerosol can that revolutionized whipped cream in the 1930s and 1940s. American inventors created practical ways to aerate and dispense whipped cream using nitrous oxide gas.
In 1934, Charles Getz patented the first aerosol whipped cream canister, using gas to aerate the cream just before dispensing. Other American inventors like Marshall Reinecke and Aaron Lapin soon followed with improved gas-infusion canister designs.
Reddi-wip launched the first commercial whipped cream in a can in 1948. The convenient, instantly whipped cream in an aerosol can was a huge hit. This technology quickly spread whipped cream's popularity worldwide as an easy dessert topping.
Thanks to modern food science, we can now enjoy whipped cream with barely any effort - a far cry from the hour-long hand whipping of the past!
Key Innovations That Shaped Whipped Cream
- 1600s: Sweetened whipped cream served as "milk snow" or "cream snow" in Italy and France
- 1629: Earliest known use of the French term "crème fouettée" (whipped cream)
- 1750s: Chantilly-style whipped cream is invented and popularized
- Late 1800s: Whisks and electric mixers allow faster whipping
- 1930s: Aerosol canisters are invented for dispensing freshly whipped cream
FAQs
Who invented whipped cream?
There is no single definitive inventor of whipped cream. Recipes for sweetened, whipped cream appeared across multiple countries in the 16th and 17th centuries. The techniques evolved gradually over centuries.
When was whipped cream invented?
The earliest written recipes for something resembling whipped cream date back to 1549 in Italy. But it was not called "whipped cream" until the late 1600s.
Is whipped cream Italian or French?
Whipped cream recipes appeared independently in both Italian and French cookbooks from the 1500s and 1600s. So both cultures likely invented their own versions.
Did Catherine de' Medici invent whipped cream?
There is no solid evidence that Catherine de' Medici brought whipped cream from Italy to France. But she did introduce many Italian cuisine styles to France. So it is possible whipped cream spread to France during this cultural exchange.
Did François Vatel invent Chantilly cream?
No, François Vatel did not invent Chantilly cream, despite the popular myth. Chantilly cream did not appear until long after Vatel's lifetime in the mid-1600s.
When was Chantilly cream invented?
The first known recipe for the richer whipped cream we recognize as Chantilly cream appeared around 1750. It was likely developed earlier by Italian gelato makers.
Conclusion
While its exact origins remain shrouded in mystery, whipped cream has been around for centuries in many cultures. The basic technique of whipping air into cream to create a light, sweet topping has not changed dramatically - even if our methods have.
This delicious, versatile ingredient remains a staple in pantries and bakeries worldwide. Next time you top a cake or cocoa with whipped cream, take a moment to appreciate the long history behind this airy confection!