“Kakigori” is shaved ice. It is served with a variety of syrups
Most of Japan is very hot and humid in summer, so we have many ways to cool ourselves down. “Kakigori” literally means “shaved ice”, and is one of the most popular dishes to help us feel refreshed. According to “Makurano-soushi”, an old book written in the Heian period (794-1185), kakigori was already been eaten during the summer by the time. It was a very precious and special dish only people of privileged class, as tons of ice had to been reserved in ice chambers since winter to make the kakigori.
Nowadays, thanks to freezers, even us common people are able to enjoy kakigori anytime we want. In the photo above, the green syrup is “maccha (green tea)”, and the brown small beans on top are called “kintoki.” This is the most typical type of kakigori. The sweat taste of the beans and the bitterness of the green tea go well with cold, thin shaved ice.
This red kakigori is called “Ichigo miruku (strawberry milk)” and is a popular kakigori flavor bought at Tosendou, Imabari, Ehime, Japan. The syrup is 100% hand made from fresh strawberries. Since it is full of a natural, sweet flavor, it became very famous among tourists to Shimanami islands and Shikoku. They make a long line in front of the shop during the summer. “Ichigo miruku” is available from June and is completely sold out by the end of the month.
