What makes ice cream so addictive?
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(CNN) -
It's hot and we just think of ways to cool off, or find any excuse to eat more ice cream.
National Ice Cream Day in the United States is this Sunday and we have a scoop for you.
Here's everything you need to know about this holiday and the places where you can cool off with a summer delight (at a discount).
Do you prefer classic or exotic flavors when choosing your ice cream?
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Where does the ice cream come from?
Our love of ice cream dates back a long, long time.
Thousands of years ago, people around the world realized that cold + sweet = a delicious combination.
Records show that some of the most famous leaders in history enjoyed cold delicacies, from the Roman Emperor Nero to Alexander the Great.
Even King Solomon was fond of "a snow-cold drink at harvest time," according to some translations of the Bible.
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Historians believe that the ancient Chinese were the first to develop a fresh, creamy delicacy that resembles what we enjoy today.
In the 16th century, ice cream began to spread throughout Europe, although at first only aristocrats could afford it.
No one knows for sure when the ice cream arrived in the United States, but at least we know that some of the Fathers of the Nation were amateurs.
Thomas Jefferson wrote 18-step instructions, the first known ice cream recipe ever to be recorded by an American.
And George Washington is said to have spent $ 200 in a single summer to get his fix of ice cream.
In today's dollars, that's a lot of money.
When was National Ice Cream Day created in the United States?
Thanks to President Ronald Reagan, National Ice Cream Day is a reality.
In 1984, he signed a proclamation declaring July as National Ice Cream Month.
The third Sunday of that month, which is July 18 this year, became officially known as National Ice Cream Day.
The proclamation (number 5219, to be exact) describes "a nutritious and healthy food, enjoyed by more than 90% of the people of the United States."
Although we can't vouch for his stats, he does sound pretty accurate.
Truth?
Sales of ice cream go up and deodorant sales go down during the pandemic.
This is the explanation
What is the most popular ice cream flavor in America?
From Neapolitan to cookie dough, there is no shortage of flavors.
But that is not all.
They can also be made with nitrogen, hand rolled or with charcoal.
Ice cream can even be made without the help of cows.
The biotech company Perfect Day introduced a laboratory-grown ice cream that uses genetic engineering to recreate the proteins commonly found in cow's milk.
However, the best taste in America?
Vanilla, according to the International Dairy Food Association.
Where can I get good deals this weekend?
Baskin-Robbins
With any purchase of $ 10 or more, this Sunday's customers can get free kinetic sand scented with chocolate mint or strawberry banana ice cream.
You can also get $ 5 off a purchase of $ 20 or more when you order Baskin-Robbins through Uber Eats, DoorDash or Postmates July 18-24.
Brusters
Any day, kids under 40 inches get a free baby cone, and if you bring your dog, they can get a free doggie ice cream too!
You can also get a $ 3 reward for joining the Brusters Sweet Rewards program.
Burger King
Sign up and with any $ 1 purchase, you'll get a free vanilla ice cream cone or glass this month.
Carvel
Visit Carvel this Sunday and try one of their new churros products, and you'll get a prize the next time you visit.
Or use this coupon to get a $ 3 discount on your products at a grocery store.
You can also enter to win free ice cream for one year.
Cold Stone Creamery
The ice cream chain says it will reveal its own offer this Sunday.
Check back on their social networks to find out.
Dairy Queen
Download the Dairy Queen app and get $ 1 off any size of covered cones, not including children's cones.
Be sure to visit a participating Dairy Queen store to get the offer.
DoorDash
As of this Sunday, DoorDash is giving away a million servings of ice cream.
You only have to use the code ICECREAM on orders of US $ 20 or more.
Friendly's
Buy your favorite Friendly's ice cream at any store that has it, upload your receipt and they will give you $ 5 back in Venmo.
Insomnia Cookies
Get a free scoop of ice cream with your purchase until this Sunday in the store or with the code ICECREAMDAY online for local delivery.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's has partnered with custom inflatable maker Minnidip to create Jeni's ice cream themed pool floats.
Until this Sunday 18, orders have an 18% discount.
Marble Slab Creamery
The chain promises a "sweet surprise" this Sunday for those who have downloaded its Slab Happy Rewards app.
In addition, throughout the month, users of the application get US $ 5 discount on ice cream kits.
Monkey Joe's
Kids can get free ice cream at any Monkey Joe's store this Sunday.
Whole Foods
Get a 35% discount on any ice cream at Whole Foods until July 20.
7-Eleven
Join the store's loyalty program to get a free Slurpee anytime this month.
So, this weekend, don't think of your sweet tooth as a guilty pleasure, but as a patriotic duty.
CNN's Maddie Burakoff and Saeed Ahmed contributed to this report.
National Ice Cream Day