Spumoni is an Italian ice cream that’s often made with three layers, usually consisting of a chocolate layer, a cherry layer, and a pistachio layer. Of course, each of the layers in spumoni doesn’t just have those flavors; there are usually other ingredients added as well, which can include chocolate chunks, pistachio nuts, and maybe even whole pieces of cherries. This ice cream has become increasingly popular—which is why it even has its own holiday on August 21st. This holiday is naturally called National Spumoni Day.

The History Of Spumoni Ice Cream

Much to our chagrin, we were unable to find out who invented National Spumoni Day or when it was invented. So, we decided to instead focus on finding out who invented spumoni ice cream and when they invented it. That set us on an epic ice cream quest that we wouldn’t soon forget.

According to most food historians, spumoni was invented sometime during the 19th century in Naples, Italy. During the 1870s, it was brought to the U.S. and became known as Neapolitan ice cream. This ice cream’s main three flavors were chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. That is the type of spumoni that became popular in the U.S. Italian spumoni continued to be enjoyed throughout Europe, and several different flavor combinations became popular. In the U.S., the version that is made of pistachio ice cream, chocolate ice cream, and cherry ice cream is more commonly known as spumoni, while the vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry version is widely known as Neapolitan ice cream.

Tasty Facts About Spumoni

Want some sweet facts about spumoni? If you do, then we’ve gathered together some great facts that we think will complement your spumoni ice cream. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

• The most common spumoni flavor simulates the Italian flag (red, white, and green).
• Neapolitan was created as a more American-friendly spumoni flavor.
• Some types of spumoni use candied fruits and/or nuts.
• Spumoni is always supposed to be sliced, never scooped like American ice cream.
• Spumoni is popular in places with large Italian immigrant populations, such as the U.S. and Argentina.
• In Canada, November 13th is National Spumoni Day.

Observing National Spumoni Day

Pull up a bowl of spumoni ice cream and grab a spoon if you want to celebrate National Spumoni Day. The end of August is the perfect time to cool down with some Italian ice cream, so be sure to find a cool place and have a taste. While you’re eating ice cream on this day, don’t forget to give a shoutout on the Internet using the hashtag #NationalSpumoniDay.