99 Flake
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A 99 Flake is an ice cream cone with a Cadbury Flake chocolate bar inserted in it, typically at a 45-degree angle.
A 99 is traditionally sold by ice cream vans and parlours and is a typical holiday memory for most British people.
The classic 99 uses soft ice cream. Variations include a 99 with two flakes and a 99 with strawberry or raspberry topping sauce.
99_Flake_Strawberry.jpg
The 99 was invented by Cadbury's to increase chocolate sales. According to Cadbury the name came from Italy: "In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King has a specially chosen guard consisting of 99 men, and subsequently anything really special or first class was known as 99 — and that is how the 99 Flake came by its name". Although that story is fanciful, for a long, long time consumers were charged 99p for a regular 99 flake. Unfortunately, the price has since risen with inflation but the 99 has retained its name.
There are many references to 99s in British pop culture. Notably, the pop-electronica duo The KLF used ice cream van iconography and included the phrase "Make mine a 99" in their songs.