One of the things I enjoy most about New England is visiting the many different shops that sell homemade ice cream. Usually, I judge ice cream according to its creaminess, sweetness, and flavor. But, last week, I tasted ice cream from Island Cow Ice Cream Co., in Stonington, Maine, that defied previous ways of perceiving the frozen milky delectable. The ice cream was amazingly milky. Understanding the milk used to make this ice cream seemed key to knowing what made it stand apart from previous ice creams I've tried.

When comparing ice cream from different shops, I never thought about the quality of the milk determining the end-result. Island Cow Ice Cream Co. has a small sign by their stand stating that they use milk from cows that are not injected with any steroids or hormones. Apparently, the 32 cows all have names and fall asleep to the music of Bach. After having worked in the cheese business for two years, I'm used to asking questions about the quality of the cows' diet and their milk. However, this is a new way of looking at ice cream.

If you're traveling to Maine, I highly recommend Island Cow Ice Cream Co. What are some fascinating ice cream shops you've been to this summer?

Gallery: Island Cow Ice Cream Co.

Ice cream is the great equalizer. Every person from every walk of life loves ice cream. (Except for lactose intolerant people, but they're obviously being punished by God.)

While it's perfectly acceptable to march into Baskin-Robbins and demand a triple cone of Jamoca Almond Fudge (you weirdos), or dive head-first into the Haagen-Dazs freezer for a pint of Sticky Toffee Pudding (you English people), wouldn't it feel exponentially more gratifying to make your own?

With a little bit of patience (or an ice cream maker), you can stop begrudging that Sesame, Soybean and Dried Kelp Ice Cream that you couldn't afford to have dry-frozen and shipped from Japan - and just make your own!

Here, eight ice cream recipes worth a whip:

1. Thomas Keller's Red Beet Ice Cream
2. Fig & Rosewater Ice-Cream with Crushed Pistachios & Dark Chocolate
3. Candied Bacon Ice Cream
4. Fennel Ice Cream
5. Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
6. Cherry Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips
7. Tamarind Coconut Ice Cream
8. Roasted Peach Ice Cream

An informal poll: Whether homemade, store bought, or imaginary, what is your ultimate ice cream flavor?

Quick: who designated July as National Ice Cream Month?

If you thought some ice cream council or dairy association or Ben or Jerry, you're wrong. It was actually President Ronald Reagan, who did it in 1984.

So, to celebrate, after the jump are a bunch of ice cream-related links: recipes, the history of ice cream, and more.

For some reason, I have a craving for ice cream. It could be the heat, but the urge is more than likely just a side effect of viewing this wonderful piece of food porn from Chubby Hubby. These lovely little cones are filled with decadent Pear-Caramel Swirl Ice Cream. The recipe comes from A Passion for Desserts from Emily Luchetti (who has a new book dedicated to ice cream out now) and has soft, poached pears, a generous amount of vanilla salted caramel sauce and lots of cream and egg yolks for added richness. The bottle in the back of the picture is some Eau de Poire, or pear liquor, which was added to further enhance the pear flavor of the ice cream. Adding a bit of alcohol to any ice cream will lower the freezing point slightly, so it will be softer straight out of the freezer than it might otherwise be - a good tip to keep in mind for anyone who makes ice cream at home.

There are lots of fancy schmancy (also: expensive) machines out there that you can use at home to make your own ice cream. The only thing fancy about this ice cream making ball from L.L. Bean is the cool crystal colors on the exterior.

Since it's from L.L. Bean, it's meant to be taken camping so you can make ice cream out in the woods (which I'm sure every camper is dying to do), but it's just as good to use at home with the kids. You simply add ice and rock salt to the cooling chamber, add the ice cream ingredients inside the ball, close it up, then roll, toss, and shake. After 20 minutes of playing, you'll have ice cream!

The ice cream ball is available at L.L. Bean for $29, in multiple colors, and comes with recipes.