Magnum (ice cream)

Magnumis a brand ofice creamand the company's namesake, originally developed and produced byFriskoinAarhus, Denmark, a part of theAnglo-DutchcompanyUnilever.It is sold as part of theHeartbrandline of products, which is owned by Unilever in mostcountriesand is available in sticks, tubs and bites. InGreece, the Magnum brand name has been owned by theSwisscompanyNestlésince 2005-2006 following the acquisition of theDelta Ice Creamcompany, so the Unilever ice cream uses the nameMagic.
The ice cream today known as Magnum was developed inAarhus, Denmark, in the late 1980s by Mogens Vigh-Larsen (1935–2019), then technical director of Frisko, which is an ice cream maker.It was put into production in autumn 1988 and originally manufactured byFriskoinDenmark.The original Magnum (later rebranded as Magnum Classic) consisted of a thick bar ofvanillaice cream on a stick, with a chocolate coating. As there was no real chocolate that could stand the temperature of −40 degreesCelsius, anad hocchocolate had to be developed.The original Magnum had a weight of 86gramsand a volume of 120ml.TheAarhusfactory was converted into apartments, shops, and a fitness centre named "Friskohus" (The Frisko House) after the ice cream company brand.The Frisko brand is still used in Denmark.
The company also started selling Magnumice cream conesin 1994 and anice cream sandwichin 2002.
The actorRoger Moore, best known for his portrayal ofJames Bond, famously claimed to have come up with the idea of the Magnum, althoughWall'sdeny any knowledge of this, saying it is no more than "a brilliant story".
The Magnum name for a coated ice-cream on a stick is much older than this, however, as evidenced by a January 1960 photo of the refreshments kiosk of the local Odeon cinema in the archives of the Chorley Guardian newspaper. This version had a strawberry flavoured shell.
On March 19, 2024, Unilever announced it would divest its ice cream brands and cut 7,500 jobs in order to make "a simpler, more focused and higher performing Unilever." Included in the spin-off areBen & Jerry's,Cornetto, Magnum,Talenti, andWall's. The divestment is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Starting in 1992, the company added MagnumAlmond, Double Chocolate, and White amongst other flavours. In 2002, Magnum branched intofrozen yogurtwith itsraspberryfruit swirl covered inmilk chocolate. Moments were introduced which were bite-size ice cream treats withcaramel, chocolate, orhazelnutcentres, followed later in the year by "mini", "crunchy" (withalmonds), and "light". Late 2002 saw the launch of Magnum Intense, achocolate trufflecenter enveloped in ice cream and covered with chocolate, and the limited edition 7 Deadly Sins series of ice creams, whose flavours were named after theseven deadly sins. Sins were followed by another limited edition range in 2005 in which each flavour was named after one of the senses: Magnum Aroma, Magnum Touch, Magnum Sound, Magnum Taste, and Magnum Sight.
In 2003,Streets, the brand under which Magnum is sold in Australia and New Zealand, brought out a limited edition series of ice creams known as The Sixties Nine featuring sixties-related names:John Lemon,Wood Choc,Jami Hendrix,ChocWork Orange,Peace ManGO,Cinnaman on the Moon,Cherry Guevara,Candy WarholandGuava Lamp. Consumers who collected nine of these ice cream sticks could send them off to get a free Magnum T-shirt. The extreme popularity of the ChocWork Orange resulted in Streets selling it as the "Chocolate Orange" Magnum for some time after the remainder of the range was discontinued. Similarly, the Peppermint Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins range became "Peppermint" and is still available in Australia today.
In 2008, Magnum brought out new variants in the UK—Mayan Mystica, a chocolate ice cream Magnum blended with cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey flavours; and Magnum Minis available in a variety of flavours.
In 2020, Magnum brought new variants Rose Ruby and Salted Caramel. These are produced in a tub with a crackable outside chocolate layer.
ActressEva Longoriawas the face of Magnum in 2008. Also in 2008,Josh Holloway, from television'sLost, was selected as the first male spokesperson of Magnum in Turkey.Benicio del ToroandCaroline Correastarred in a television commercial for Magnum Gold, directed byBryan Singer.
In 2021, on the occasion of the 700th anniversary ofDante Alighieri's death, a new limited edition was launched that included three ice creams, each inspired by each of the three Cantiche of theDivine Comedy.To celebrate the anniversary, in partnership with theScuderie del Quirinale[it], a work was also commissioned to the Italian painterRoberto Ferri, who createdIl Bacio di Dante e Beatrice(The Kiss of Dante and Beatrice).The painting was exhibited at thePalazzo Firenze[it]inRome.
In 2009, Magnum Mini Moments were launched. They came in three types of chocolate: milk, white and dark all with five different flavours including almond and truffle.
In China, the Magnum name is retained; however, there are fewer varieties—as of 2009 there are only vanilla, cappuccino, and crunchy. Mint and double chocolate were introduced in 2006–7 but were pulled from the market in 2008 (or possibly before).
In 2011, Magnum ice cream was launched in the US and Canada with six varieties: Double Caramel, Double Chocolate, Classic, Almond, White, and Dark.
In March 2012, Malaysia introduced a flavor known as Choco-Cappucino.
In April 2013, Magnum ice cream was launched inIndiabyHindustan Unilever, starting with Chennai, and February the following year, it expanded to national distribution.It is distributed under the brand nameKwality Wall's(ice cream).
In 2014, The Philippines opened a "make-your-own" or "do-it-yourself" Magnumdessert bar/cafe called Magnum Manila, located at SM Aura's Sky Park, Taguig.
In 2018, Magnum launched its firstveganice creams in two flavours, Magnum Vegan Classic, and Magnum Vegan Almond. The new product was first released in Finland and Sweden followed by the UK.