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Flavors of Summer: A Deep Dive into Kakigori, Japan's Shaved Ice Delight
With the arrival of summer comes the need to cool off with the right dessert. In Japan, nothing helps beat the heat better than kakigori. You’ll find the shaved ice dessert everywhere in the country.
What makes kakigori so special and how is it any different from Western-style shaved ice? Find out all of that and more in this post. Happy reading!
Introduction: The Allure of Kakigori
Kakigori is the Japanese version of a shaved ice dessert topped with syrup and a sweetener. This sweetener is typically made from condensed milk. The thin shavings of ice used in kakigori create a light, fluffy dessert. Japanese shaved ice is not only pleasant to look at but also sweet and fruity.
Typically eaten with a spoon, this sweet treat is perfect for cooling down in the summer heat. It also provides the body with healthy nutrients like vitamins, calcium, and iron. You’ll find it in every part of Japan, including convenience stores, specialty shops, restaurants, and summer festival stands.
Kakigori also comes in a wide variety of sweet flavors, ranging from green tea powder to red bean. In some cases, people add solid ingredients like jelly and small fruits.
The History of Kakigori in Japan
Kakigori is a very old dessert originating in the Heian period (794–1185). The people living in that era would save ice blocks in the winter. In the summer, they would shave off part of the blocks, mix it with sweet syrup, and serve it to nobles. At the time, finding ice in the summer was quite rare and only the Japanese aristocracy had them because of their access to ice storage houses.
However, all of that changed in the 19th century as summertime ice became common. Everyone could make their own kakigori. It didn’t take long for people to start selling them to the public. The first ever kakigori store was opened in Yokohama around 1869. Since then, more stores have opened all over the country. In fact, shaved ice desserts are so popular in the country that July 25 is Kakigori Day in Japan.
Traditional vs. Modern Kakigori
Like any dessert that has existed for centuries, kakigori has evolved from its original traditional version into a more modern dessert. Some homemade and street kakigori still use traditional flavors and preparation methods. However, the versions served at specialty cafes use more innovative flavor combinations.
The traditional method of preparing kakigori utilizes a special hand-cranked machine to spin ice blocks over a sharp blade. Modern kakigori is often made with an electric shaver. It also uses flavored ice, unlike the traditional version, which uses pure ice sourced from natural springs.
Traditional syrup flavors include green tea, red bean, mango, cherry, strawberry, yuzu, and melon. Modern kakigori contains more complex flavors such as coffee, “Blue Hawaii” (coconut and pineapple blend), pumpkin cream, and blue raspberry.
How Kakigori is Made
Don’t be deterred. You too can make delicious kakigori at home using the simple process we’ll reveal in this section. All you need are the three main components:
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A block of pure ice
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Main syrup ingredient (such as matcha or fruit)
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Condensed milk
The first step is to prepare the syrup. Mix the culinary-grade matcha paste or blended fruit with sugar in a small bowl. Add a cup of boiling water to the mixture and continue mixing. Allow the mixture to cool off before transferring it to the refrigerator.
The next step is to shave the ice. Don’t panic if you don’t have a kakigori or shaved ice machine. There are several other ways to shave ice perfectly and get the texture. Use any of the following techniques:
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Crush: Partially fill a ziplock bag with ice and pound it with a mallet continuously until all the ice is thoroughly crushed.
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Grate: Use a grater to scrub one side of an ice block.
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Scrape: Place a rectangular block of ice on a clean piece of cloth and scrape one side of the block with a sharp knife.
Pour the plain shaved ice into a bowl and drizzle condensed milk and syrup on it. You can also garnish with red beans or fruit pieces. If you have left-over syrup and toppings, freeze additional ice blocks and repeat the process.
Must-Try Kakigori Flavors
The most popular Kakigori flavors enjoyed around the world are fruity. These include strawberry, mango, melon, orange, and yuzu. Others, like matcha syrup, kuromitsu (Japanese sugar syrup), and kinako (roasted soybean flour), are indigenous to Japan. Seasonal flavors also exist, such as kiwi and zunda.
A lot of these flavors are combined as flavored shavings, syrups, or toppings. The most popular kakigori flavor combo is strawberry, matcha (green tea) syrup, azuki beans, and condensed milk.
Kakigori Syrups and Toppings
The syrups and toppings used in kakigori are responsible for the burst of flavor you taste with each spoonful. Syrups are the liquids used to garnish the ice shavings of kakigori. The different types include: melon, yuzu, matcha, yuzu, banana, peach, mango, plum, and sakura.
Toppings are the solid (or semi-liquid) ingredients added to the iced shavings and syrup. The traditional topping for kakigori is sweetened condensed milk, which provides creamy thickness. However, yogurt is a common alternative. Other types of toppings include anko (red bean paste), canned fruits, jams, ice cream, mochi, and dango. These syrups and toppings can be added individually or as part of a combo. For example, shaved ice desserts topped with ice cream are called kakigori sundae.
Famous Kakigori Shops in Japan
Let’s explore some of the best places in Japan to enjoy authentic and creatively crafted Kakigori. The following shops are known for serving exquisite shaved ice desserts:
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Uehara Shokudo (Tokyo): This shop became the latest kakigori hot spot in Tokyo when it opened in June 2023. Since then, it has warmed its way into the hearts of shaved ice lovers in the city. Uehara Shokudo is popular for updating its menu with fresh flavors every few weeks.
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Gion Koishi Gion Honten (Kyoto): If you want the best kakigori in Kyoto, Gion Koishi is the place to visit. You can treat yourself to Kyoto’s indigenous Ujikintoki, a kakigori sundae topped with anko, matcha green tea, ice cream, and mochi.
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Bono Bakery (Osaka): This is one of the most famous bread bakeries in Osaka City. However, it also sells unique kakigori, including its bestselling “Dongari Ice Strawberry” kakigori, which has a pointed tip.
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Tenmonkan Mujaki (Kagoshima): There is a popular type of kakigori in Kagoshima City known as Shirokuma. It contains condensed milk, fruit, anko, and mochi. Tenmonkan Mujaki is a local shop that’s famous for making arguably the best shirokuma in the city.
Healthier Indulgence: Exploring Kakigori's Nutritional Aspects
It’s a significantly healthier practice to eat kakigori than to eat many of the other common desserts, such as ice cream, cheesecake, and puddings. Its base of fluffy, shaved ice offers a lighter alternative to other desserts and helps with hydration in hot weather. Also, different toppings can influence its nutritional content. Fruits provide vitamins, fiber, and potassium, while flour-based toppings like mochi bring carbohydrates and minerals.
Kakigori and Japanese Festivals
Summertime is filled with different kinds of festivals and fairs in Japan. Kakigori is often served at matsuri and summer parties, where eating shaved ice brings relief from the heat. It not only helps to hydrate the people on the streets but also sets the tone for the event with seasonal flavors. Kakigori is often served alongside street foods at stands and stalls during these events. June 25 is Kakigori Day and serves as a way to acknowledge the dessert as the national symbol for summer in Japan.
The Global Spread of Kakigori.
Granted, countries around the world have their own shaved ice cream variations. These variations include Hawaiian shaved ice, Taiwanese shaved ice, Korean shaved ice, and Mexican shaved ice. However, the Japanese version is still one of the best out there, appearing in dessert cafes around the world. It has also influenced global dessert trends, as shops overseas use matcha, anko, and other traditional Japanese flavors in their own recipes.
Conclusion:
Kakigori has an unwavering status as a quintessential summer treat in Japan. It’s lighter, healthier, and less complicated than other common desserts, making it the perfect match for the average Japanese palette. Next time you visit Japan, be sure to explore the rich flavors and refreshing experience of the Japanese shaved ice dessert.
Bring the spirit of Japanese summer to your loved ones. Visit Bokksu Boutique to find the ideal gift for any summer occasion. We have amazing gifts for all seasons!
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