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The Slurpee at 40

Posted by Zonk on from the venerable-drink dept.

theodp writes "Oh Thank Heaven for 7-Eleven! Slate reports on the 40th birthday of the Slurpee, which has frozen an estimated 6 billion brains and arguably provided the inspiration for Starbucks' Frappuccino, Dunkin' Donuts' Coolatta and Kwik-E-Mart's Squishee. Wikipedia has more Slurpee facts and links."

5 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Random Slurpee Facts by cente · · Score: 5, Informative

    Canadians purchase over 30 million Slurpees every year
    The average Slurpee drinker age is 29 years
    Manitoba is the "Slurpee Capital" of the world for the fifth year in a row (2003)! The 7-Eleven stores in Manitoba sell an average of 8,300 Slurpee drinks per store each month, compared to the national monthly rate of 5,900 and provincial rate of 7,200,which makes this Province the world leader in Slurpee sales.
    The top five Slurpee cities are:
                1. Winnipeg
                2. Calgary
                3. Regina
                4. Detroit
                5. Edmonton
    The frozen carbonated beverage was first invented in 1959 by a Kansas hamburger stand owner. Using an automobile air conditioner, he created a sophisticated piece of equipment that would freeze a carbonated soft drink and serve it in a sherbet-like form that could be sipped through a straw.
    To get that uniquely Slurpee consistency, each Slurpee machine has a compact refrigeration system that mixes syrup, carbon dioxide and water under pressure in a freezing chamber.
    Slurpees are served at -3C (or 28F)
    7-Eleven(r) began selling Slurpee, then called Icee, in its stores in the United States in 1965

    Credit to http://www.myslurpeecup.com/facts.html

  2. As a former employee at local 7-11 store by layer3switch · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hate you, Slurpee. I hate you with all my blisters you gave me from mopping that tar of you, people spilled all over the floor.

    Although it was useful mouse/cockroach trap (a sweet death, oh what irony!), you surely leave a long trail of spills from one corner of the store to the door.

    Be the 40th birthday your last! I hate you, Slurpee!!!

    SLURPEEE!!!!

    ps: yes, i'm seeking professional help.

    --
    "Don't let fools fool you. They are the clever ones."
  3. I'm Disappointed in Fellow Contributors by Apple+Acolyte · · Score: 5, Insightful

    By now I would have expected to see at least one thread on the unsanitary conditions Slurpees are likely in at time of purchase due to the general environment (7/11) and said store's average patrons. 7/11 is the only class of food establishment to have received a C health inspection rating (in So. Cal) without being shut down. And there's always something mildly disturbing to me about the fact that most of the "counter space" in 7/11 food aisles consist of the tops of waste receptacles. So am I truly more of a germaphobe than most?

    --
    Part of the hardcore faithful who believed in Apple long before it was cool again to do so
  4. Disgusting slurpee flavors by commodoresloat · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Perhaps you'd like to try an experimental flavour of my own concoction. A delicious chutney squishy...You can really tasted the chutney!"
    --Apu

  5. ICEEs are older, better, and help you get girls by AngryNick · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Where I grew up, they were called ICEEs (say Ice-E) even at the 7-11. Anyone who called it a Slurpee was a pansy.

    The ICEE has been around more than 45 years and the first ICEE machine was sold in 1960. The Kansas City Starhas a good history on the Frizz/ICEE/Slurpee and its inventor, Omar Knedlik:

    ..."A pre-mix of most any flavor is placed inside the machine. There it is put under pressure. Any liquid increases in density when pressurized. Release of the pressure causes it to freeze. So when the liquid pours from the machine it freezes as it hits the cup."

    I suspect someone at 7-11 HQ has been screwing around with the settings, because a Slurpee is more liquidy than a ICEE. This appears to allow for faster consumption, which results in more brain freezing, which provides for a less enjoyable experience.

    As far as helping you hookup, the official ICEE cup is predominately blue and red. Time and again science has proven that women are attracted to blue and men are attracted to pink and red. Combine the higher brain freeze rate of the Slurpee and there's no lovin' tonight for Johnny.

    So there. Now stop calling it Slurpee! It's ICEE! It's pissing me off.

    --
    Today's anger level: Yellow - Irritated for no reason