When I see shave ice and a Fujimarca MC709SE,I have to share.
https://www.wardvillage.com/articles/th ... -shave-ice
With its bright swatches of color and perfectly chipped ice, there are few things in this world more delightful than digging into a mouth-watering shave ice on a hot Hawaiian afternoon.
And while a plethora of cultures have created their own take on flavored ice, Hawai'i's variant has a unique and rich history that's as bold as any of the flavors you'll find on your favorite bowl of the frosty goodness.
Unlike other forms of flavored icy treats, shave ice (shave, not shaved, ice) is made by literally shaving small bits of ice from a large block. In other versions, commonly known as snow cones, the ice is crushed and syrup is simply poured over - but that doesn't fly in the islands. By shaving the ice from the block—as opposed to simply crushing it—the syrups are better absorbed by the ice. The result is a fluffy, snowflake-like, melt-in-your-mouth, texture that's unrivaled in its deliciousness.
The process of shaving the ice can be traced back to Japanese plantation workers who immigrated to the islands in the 19 th century. In Japan, shave ice is referred to as kakigori and dates back nearly 1,000 years to the Heian Period. When the plantation workers arrived in Hawai'i, they brought their taste for the delectable treat with them and some reports have even suggested that Japanese heirloom swords were originally used to finely shave the ice. Proof of the hard-working culture that dominated plantation life, shave ice was originally sold only on Sundays, the sole day of the week plantation workers didn't have to work the fields. Soon, and understandably so, shave ice took root in the islands. By the 1920s, shops selling the snowy treat had popped up all over the state.
Not only is the way we slice our ice unique in the islands, but the toppings we choose for our shave ice is reflective of the many cultures that have forged our collective identity. Take for instance azuki beans and ice cream, both traditional accoutrements in Hawaiian shave ice. Azuki bean paste and a scoop of ice cream is often found at the base of this slushy dish. Li-hing mui, a salty and dried plum with a very distinct flavor that traces its origins back to China, is also a commonly added topping.
While everyone has their favorite shave ice vendor (including President Obama, who's often spotted digging into one while back home on O'ahu) in Town, the award-winning Waiola Shave Ice, is the locals' pick. With three locations on the island and one housed here in Ward Village, Waiola has built an enormous following of hungry locals craving the sweet and refreshing taste year round.
With our rich history, warm climate, and collective appreciation for exotic flavors, it's clear that Hawai'i just can't get enough shave ice. In fact, we're so enthralled with this popular treat that we decided to get our very own shave ice cart for use at Ward Village (and WV sponsored) events.
Want to get a hold of our fun flavors like guava, lychee and Hawaiian Punch? Follow us on Instagram at @wardvillage to learn where our Shave Ice cart will be next!
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