Sweet winter tradition or unhygienic treat? The debate over homemade American snow ice cream

If you're willing to give this a shot, be sure to collect some fresh snow because it'll serve as the main ingredient for the frosty treat. A handful of other components are required to successfully recreate this popular American dessert. While the idea might seem odd to Europeans, it's a beloved family activity in the US. The recipe and detailed instructions are provided below for your convenience.

Various videos showcasing how American mothers create their homemade frozen dessert using freshly-collected snow, have been circulating on social media recently. This tradition was a part of their childhood, and now many continue it with their own children. Remember, for the best tasting ice cream, only use snow that is fresh, fluffy, and white. Combined with the right ingredients you'll get a velvety dessert that literally melts in your mouth.

Wondering how to make homemade snow ice cream? First, ensure you have the necessary ingredients on hand. You'll need one can of condensed milk, a liquid flavoring (like vanilla), sugar or a sweetener, and a selection of sweet toppings for a touch of indulgence. The foundation of the ice cream will be the fluffy snow from your yard. The process is straightforward. Pour the condensed milk into a bowl of snow and include a few drops of vanilla. Stir the mixture, sweetening it to your preference. Top it off with your tasty additions and consume immediately, as the snow won't stay frozen for long.

As you can imagine, opinions are split about this special treat. A segment of people is absolutely entranced, enthusiastically sharing their experiences of creating the ice cream. We can surmise most of these are American residents, where this practice is widely accepted and has been passed down for generations. Those who have tried snow ice cream generally report no negative side effects.

People in other countries, however, express disgust. Their argument lies in the purity of the snow stating it teems with impurities and is unsanitary. Microscopic examination of snow, they argue, would deter anyone from using it in food. Some comments openly criticize the social media creators, with one particular post accusing a woman of using organic coconut sugar while using polluted snow. Now that you've read about this polarizing-ish, what is your view on the subject?