The Intense Discussion Surrounding the Significance of Banana Splits

The banana split, a dessert as iconic as apple pie in America, has a rich and intriguing history. This delicious treat, with its colourful toppings and creamy ice cream, has captured the hearts of many since its inception.

At the turn of the 20th century, the banana was a novelty fruit, and people were unsure of how to use it beyond eating it raw. However, the popularity of the ice cream sundae played a significant role in popularizing the banana as a dessert topping.

The banana split, as we know it today, was first created in 1904, not by E.R. Hazard from Wilmington, Ohio, as commonly believed, but by David Strickler, a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacy clerk in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Strickler, who enjoyed inventing sundaes, charged twice as much (10 cents) for his banana-based creation, which was a natural extension of the ice cream sundae.

However, the origins of the banana split are disputed. E.R. Hazard, Strickler's cousin, also claimed to have invented the dessert in 1907. Hazard, a pharmacist in Wilmington, Ohio, wanted to create a unique dessert to attract more customers to his pharmacy. Soda shops and pharmacies were typically housed in the same store during this time.

Despite the disputes over its origins, the banana split is a well-known dessert found on the menus of old-fashioned soda shops and ice cream stores. It consists of three scoops of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) served in a long dish (called a boat) between a banana split in half. Toppings for a banana split include chocolate, strawberry, and pineapple toppings, crushed nuts, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry.

The banana split is loved by many and is a dessert that remains popular. However, its high calorie content remains a challenge to overcome. Nevertheless, on a hot summer day, there's nothing quite like the refreshing and fun experience of enjoying a banana split.