An Adventure to Babcock Hall

Determined to satisfy our cravings while at the same time seeing where all the magic happens, we traveled to the far end of campus to visit the plant that produces Babcock ice cream and distributes it all throughout campus. We learned a lot about the history and other fascinating facts. For example, we discovered that there are approximately 84 dairy cows located on campus that are needed in order to supply the Madison community with their ice cream fix. At The Dairy Store located in Babcock Hall, they serve the most flavors of anywhere on campus and arguably the freshest due to the proximity to the creation. Overall it was a great experience to see first hand the source of our bliss.

Peppermint Stick Flavor Review

Winter is coming, snow is falling, and the next new seasonal flavor of Babcock Ice Cream has arrived! Peppermint stick ice cream is exactly as it sounds. It is a flavor of ice cream that not only looks like a candy cane, but also tastes just like the christmasy treat. The flavor even contains little bits of actual candy canes. Stop in and try the next great seasonal flavor of Babcock before leaving for winter break!

The results are in!

After conducting our own research, the results are in. English 100's preferences at UW-Madison are distributed as follows:

Chocolate: 5%

Vanilla: 5%

Cookies and Cream: 47%

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: 35%

Union Utopia: 5%

Ice Cream = Problem Solver

Never eat ice cream alone when you're in a funk. That's when you look to your friends.  Eating ice cream with people who make you happy automatically can lift your spirits.  It brings you together and bonds you on a whole new level.  Ice cream leads to jolly conversations and laughter.  It's hard to be sad with a big bowl of happiness in front of you.

This semester we have turned to ice cream as a therapy of sorts.  It can solve anything and also satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ice Cream Addition:

Ice cream + finished exam = bliss

Ice cream + studying = bliss

Ice cream + break-ups = bliss

Ice cream + homesickness = bliss

5 Facts you should know about Babcock Ice Cream

Sure, everyone knows the tantalizing taste and texture of Babcock's beloved frozen treat, but here are some fun facts you most likely didn't know:

1. Every once in a while, a new strange or creative flavor is released, garnering the attention and critique of the Madison community. But some new flavors didn't quite hit the spot in the publics opinion and were taken out of commission once dissatisfaction was evident. A few of these flavors include Root Beer, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Honey and Graham Cracker and a "Christmas Special" (with the "special" surprise being mincemeat).

2. The top three flavors that have survived the shuffling of consumer interests and desires are Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Cookies and Cream.

3. Included in that shuffle is the seasonal favorites, the "limited edition" flavors. Some of the most anticipated seasonal arrivals include Caramel Apple, Irish Cream, Bo's Express (vanilla and chocolate flakes and raspberry swirl), and Peppermint Stick.

4. One doesn't have to sacrifice Babcock ice cream in order to safely steer away from that dreaded holiday weight gain. When comparing a half-cup of vanilla, the calories are distributed as follows: Häagen-Dazs: 270, Ben & Jerry’s: 200, Babcock Hall: 150. Think about that the next time you spontaneously indulge in Babcock rather than Ben & Jerry's. 

5. If you ever leave the nest and take up residence somewhere outside of the Madison area, don't fret. You can still satisfy your Babcock cravings by ordering and sending Babcock ice cream anywhere in the United States. Try searching for "Babcock Hall" on www.wisconsinmade.com or www.icecreamsource.com. You're welcome.

Source: 
"Fun Facts about Babcock Hall Ice Cream." Grow Wisconsins Magazine for the Life Sciences RSS. UW-Madison CALS Communication Program, Summer 2012. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

A History of Education in Dairy Sciences at UW Madison

1.     It is important to remember that Babcock Hall is not only where ice cream and other dairy treats are made, but also where UW Madison dairy science students have gone to get their education for years. The world acclaimed UW Madison Food Science Department dates back to 1890 when Stephen M. Babcock announced his invention of the butterfat test. The interest surrounding the dairy industry’s changing invention inspired Babcock to instruct others in a “Course on Dairying”, which would become the university’s dairy school, the first such school in the entire nation. Shortly afterwards, Hiram Smith Hall opened in 1892, and the University Creamery began operations a year later, producing over 600,000 pounds of butter per year. Hiram Smith Hall housed the dairy school for nearly 60 years, with a couple additions and renovations.

In early 1940 state dairy farmers, their associations and dairy organizations began meeting with state legislators concerning the building of a new dairy building. After a delay in negotiations during World War Two, the meetings resumed and in 1951, the dairy plant began operating in the new Babcock Hall, with classes beginning a month afterwards.

For over 60 years Babcock Hall has been the spot where dairy science undergrads have studied their trade. In addition to the research and teaching done at Babcock Hall, the dairy department also keeps close contact with a wide variety of companies in the dairy field.

-Brett Hutchison

                        Source:

Oncken, John F. "Babcock Hall- 60 Years Old and Still Going Strong". N.p. 2013. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

Making Ice Cream at Babcock Hall Dairy

Two short videos of the dairy plant in action!

Fall Flavor Review

1    Pumpkin Pie Flavor Review

Fall is ending fast, and soon students will flock back to their homes to celebrate Thanksgiving, the last true special fall event. In honor of the special fall holiday, Babcock has created their special pumpkin pie flavored ice cream to commemorate the staple fall dessert. This seasonal delight shares all the same great flavors as a typical pumpkin pie with the added frozen delight that ice cream naturally brings along to the table (or bowl really, I guess). It even features wonderful texture enhancing bits of real pie crust, and lets face it, that is definitely the best part of any pie. So hurry up and enjoy this festive treat in a bowl, waffle cone or whatever tickles your fancy. Just make to catch it while you still can to celebrate the last couple days of fall.
-Brett Hutchison

The Man Behind the Name; Stephen M. Babcock

Stephen M. Babcock

Every University of Wisconsin - Madison student has heard the name Babcock.  Even the students who don't like ice cream have probably drank the milk or walked on Babcock Drive.  The name appears everywhere, but who is this guy?

Stephen M. Babcock is a local celebrity.  He is famous for creating "The Babcock Test." In 1889, William Henry, the dean of the university's College of Agriculture asked Mr. Babcock is design a method to cheaply and effectively measure the amount of butterfat found in a sample of milk.  At that time, the cream separator had recently been invented and butter was beginning to be made in factories.  When butter was just made on farms, it did not matter whether the milk was tested or not.  But in order to pay the farmers appropriately, it was necessary to know how rich a sample of milk was.  The method used for determining the value of milk at that time was much too expensive.  A new method was needed and Mr. Babcock was the guy set to accomplish the task.

"The Babcock Test" is an easy and inexpensive way to test buttermilk content.  It was revolutionary at the time.  And the most impressive thing is Dr. Babcock did not patent his invention.  This means he would not make people pay to use it.  Giving up a patent meant giving up a fortune. This is just who Dr. Babcock was.  He was once described as "a white haired man with a merry laugh" (Henderson).
Today it's been said that Dr. Babcock's milk tester is "one of the world's most important helps to man" (Henderson).  No dairy is complete without one of Mr. Babcock's milk tester.  So next time a University-Student hears the name Babcock, they can think of the profound man behind the title; maybe while also enjoying a delicious scoop of the famous ice cream. :)

Source: 

Hendersen, Margaret G. "A Fortune Given Away." WER:. N.p., 1949. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.     <http://www.library.wisc.edu/etext/wireader/WER0659-1.html>.