147/365: National Grape Popsicle Day

There’s no need to be a stick in the mud: today’s food holiday is a tasty, delicious treat for both young and old alike. May 27 is National Grape Popsicle Day!

Popsicles were invented by accident in 1905 when 11 year old Frank Epperson of San Francisco left a mixture of powdered soda, water, and a stirring stick on his porch overnight. It was bitterly cold that evening, and the whole thing froze. Little Frankie called his frozen treat Epsicles. It became a hit with the neighborhood children and, later, his own kids, who would frequently ask for “Pop’s ‘sicles.” The name stuck and was eventually trademarked, but it’s one of those products that has become so popular the name is used to denote generic versions, as well. Much like aspirin. Epperson began selling his Popsicles at an amusement park in Alameda, California in 1923, where they became wildly popular. They were originally available in seven flavors and marketed as “a frozen drink on a stick.” In 1925 Frank sold his rights to the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York, because he was flat broke. Today, more than 2 billion Popsicles are sold every year, with the most popular flavors being cherry, orange, and grape.

We picked up a variety of Popsicles at the local grocery store. The box contained two grape – perfect! And they tasted great, even though they were sugar free.

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