Ice cool: Finding cold comfort

Iceblocks have refreshed New Zealanders on hot days since 1948. Picture / Martin Sykes

A series on those frozen delights of summerThe iceblock, in its original form, was accidentally invented in the United States in 1905 when fruit cordial was frozen on a cold night.

Eleven-year-old Frank Epperson left his fruit-flavoured drink outside on the porch with stirring sticks still in place.

In 1923, Epperson finally applied for a patent for a frozen ice on a stick called the Epsicle ice pop, which his children renamed Popsicle.

Stands to reason, too - most kids have at one time or another been enthusiastic about making their own iceblocks using toothpicks and cordial-flavoured ice cubes.

New Zealand's iceblock tradition began in 1948 when Tip Top started making the TT2 in lime, raspberry, orange and pineapple flavours. Oddly, there was never a product named TT1, or even plain old TT.

TT2 was renamed Popsicle in 1970, and Kiwi children have since grown up with the brand.

Later, in the same tradition as the Popsicle, came the more tropical flavours of the FruJu.

Marketing for the FruJu featuring young adults cavorting at the beach seemed to aim at an older demographic than the Popsicle. Many versions of the "Ooh-Aah-Ooh" advertising jingle were to follow.

In the 1970s for a short few years there was a brand of iceblock called Crazy Joe, with its main flavour being Cola.

Advertising for this product was based around a fictional, Depression-era character of the same name.

But the Popsicle rules as New Zealand's iceblock No 1. And, of course, tales of the Popsicle band are legend. They are, says the old jingle, the most refreshing, coolest band in the land.

The right puff

The arrival of the Popsicle started a wee tradition of unwrapping the iceblock.

Referred to by some as the inflation technique, it involves opening the pack, raising it to your mouth and blowing.

This frees the paper from the body of the iceblock and assists in its removal.