A nationwide shortage of the popular canned whipped cream brand Reddi-wip, caused by a nitrous oxide manufacturing accident, may be no laughing matter to area bakers. Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas” when used as a dental anesthetic, is the key propellant in canned whipped cream products.
Reddi-wip’s maker, Conagra Foods, said supplies of the holiday staple would be limited until February when the company is set to be back in full production. Although nitrous oxide is not combustible on its own, it does enhance combustion of other substances. In August, an explosion in a gas holding tank at Airgas, the nation’s largest nitrous oxide supplier in Florida, killed one person and severely limited canned whipped cream production by not only Reddi-wip, but also other whipped topping manufacturers that rely on nitrous oxide to make their products. Airgas also supplies to medical customers that will now get priority of the gas over Conagra. So if Reddi-wip is your whipped topping of choice, the company says you “better stock up.”
Reddi-wip dates back to 1948, when Aaron S. “Bunny” Lapin invented it. Lapin had previously invented Sta-Whip as a whipped cream substitute using vegetable oil to address cream shortages resulting from WWII. Reddi-wip used real cream and propellant gases for easy dispensing from a can. Reddi-wip is the second most popular whipped topping — after Cool Whip, which comes in a tub. Cool Whip was introduced in 1966. Its key advantage is that is uses no propellants and can be shipped frozen. Lapin’s company was sold in 1963 to former Malibu resident Norton Simon’s company.
In 1965, Malibu resident Herb Alpert released “Whipped Cream & Other Delights,” the cover of which features model Dolores Erickson covered in nothing but chiffon and whipped cream. Two little-known facts are that the model was three months pregnant at the time of the photo shoot and, because of the hot lights used for the shoot, the only real whipped cream used was just a dollop on Erickson’s hair. The rest was actually shaving cream that wouldn’t melt under the hot photographic lights.
“Whipped Cream & Other Delights,” featuring the hit “A Taste of Honey” and two instrumentals, “Whipped Cream” and “Lollipops and Roses” — which served as musical interludes for the hit 1960s-70s game show “The Dating Game” — sold more than six million copies. The album also featured a then 23-year-old Leon Russell on piano. The musical legend died just last month at the age of 74.
The cover art on “Whipped Cream & Other Delights” is so iconic that it has been parodied numerous times on various albums over the years including Pat Cooper’s 1966 comedy album “Spaghetti Sauce & Other Delights” and Soul Asylum’s 1989 album “Clam Dip & Other Delights.” Prior to playing the song “Whipped Cream,” Alpert would apologetically tell 1960s audiences, “Sorry, we can’t play the cover for you.” The album remained on the Billboard Top 10 list for 61 weeks and stayed on the charts for more than three years.
The Malibu Times checked with Ralphs and Pavillions here in town about the supply of Reddi-wip and both reported that there were cans on the shelf, although Pavillions claimed its smaller cans were out of stock and one variety appeared sold out at Ralphs. However, both grocery stores reported new shipments were scheduled to arrive this week. If you are shut out of whipped topping over the holidays, there’s always the old-fashioned way of making whipped cream.
Recipe as follows:
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
Directions:
Place metal mixing bowl and metal whisks in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
Place sugar into mixing bowl and add the whipping cream. Whisk by hand or with electric mixer just until the cream forms stiff peaks. Store any unused portion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 hours. When ready to use, rewhisk for 10 to 15 seconds. Enjoy.