Kakigori (かき氷) is a shaved ice dessert that is very popular at beaches, festivals, events, and cafes in the summer. It is also common for families in Japan to have an ice shaver and make homemade Kakigori.
Kakigori, a refreshing Japanese dessert, is typically sweetened with colored sugar syrups and condensed milk. In exceptional cases, it can be enhanced with traditional ingredients such as "Kinako" (roasted and ground whole soybean flour) or anko (sweet red bean paste, known as azuki).
This delicacy has remained practically unchanged over the past 50 years, evoking a unique nostalgic sensation. With an infinite variety of flavors, from fruit syrups to sweet and colorless options, Kakigori offers a refreshing and tasty experience that spans generations.
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The Origin of Kakigori
Kakigori dates back to the Heian period, around the 11th century, when ice was carefully shaved by hand and served in metal bowls, accompanied by syrups and various flavored syrups. In that era, this dessert was considered a luxury, as the ice used came from the mountains.
During the Meiji period, around the 19th century, Kakigori became more accessible to the public, although it still had a high price due to the importation of ice from the United States. It was only with the initiative of the entrepreneur Kahe Nakagawa, from the food industry, that Hokkaido ice began to be used in Kakigori in Yokohama.
The first store dedicated exclusively to Kakigori was opened by Nakagawa in 1872, in the Bashamichi area in Kanagawa. The ice shaving machine was invented around 1930, boosting the popularity of Kakigori as one of the most beloved and consumed desserts in Japan.
Kakigori videos
Maquina - Hanbaiki de kakigori em Ação
A Kawaii video of 2 Kids using a Hello Kitty kakigori machine