Can you imagine living without ice? That would imply drinking hot water, hot juices, and hot cocktails. It sounds pretty uncomfortable, doesn’t it? With India’s hot and humid weather, it seems hard to even imagine living without ice. Well, believe it or not, until an American company exported some, Indians were living without ice. As bizarre as it sounds, it is completely true. And even when it was first introduced in the country, it remained a luxury, only available for the rich, for the longest time.
The Ice King Introduced Ice To India
Let’s go back to the 1800s. The country’s warm climate prevented it from having access to natural ice sources. And because refrigeration technology had yet to be invented, there was no way for Indians to enjoy the ice. This deprivation caused a large demand, particularly in hot climates, for a variety of uses, including cooling beverages, preserving food, and fostering a comfortable environment.
On the other hand, America was blessed with ample natural sources of ice. At that time, especially in the northeastern states like New England, the rivers and lakes would freeze in winter, resulting in an abundant supply of ice. This demand was observed by businessmen like Frederic Tudor. Also known as the ‘Ice King’ he saw the commercial potential in exporting ice to warmer areas.
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It Was Transported From America To India On Ships
The Tudor Ice Company developed all the necessary methods for exporting ice over great distances. After removing chunks of ice from frozen lakes, they wrapped them in sawdust and loaded them onto specially constructed ships with ice chambers. These vessels would depart from America and travel to a number of locations, including India.
Since it took an extremely long time to travel from America to India, the ice had to withstand the tropical heat and humidity. On top of that, the difficulties of transportation and storage were also major hurdles. Even though the ships employed insulation methods, a sizeable amount of ice would still melt during the voyage.
In an era before the widespread use of refrigeration technology, the importation of ice from America allowed India to enjoy the luxury and convenience of ice. It became more widely available and less expensive with the passage of time thanks to technological developments like the creation of refrigeration and ice-making equipment.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons