A summer tradition, the world of shaved ice! Introducing delicious recipes and recommended equipment
table of contents
Introduction
Cold shaved ice will make you miss on a hot summer day. The fluffy texture of ice melts on your tongue and the sweet syrup make it a truly summer tradition. However, the appeal of shaved ice is not simply "fluffy." It is actually a deep world where completely different flavors and ways of enjoying it can be created depending on how you cut the ice, the type of ice, and how you choose the syrup.
This time, we will unravel the history of shaved ice that has been around since the Heian period, and share all the charms of shaved ice, including the essential ice-making knowledge of delicious shaved ice, as well as shaved ice machines and authentic syrup that can be enjoyed at home. Why not try this exquisite, cool experience that has been loved for over a thousand years at home?
The history and cultural background of shaved ice
Elegant ice culture that continues from the Heian period
Shaved ice is older than you imagined, and by the middle Heian period, people of the upper class were already enjoying it. The oldest currently confirmed description of shaved ice can be found in the "Pillow Books" written by Sei Shonagon.
"It's something you'll need. (Omitted) Put it in the shaved ice and put it in a new golden bowl."
This sentence can be translated into modern Japanese as "an elegant thing. It is poured into shaved ice with sweeteners and placed in a new metal bowl." Sei Shonagon recorded finely shaved shaved ice with sweet nectar poured on it, making it a very elegant and elegant piece of shaved ice.
The ultimate luxury, the shaved ice of the Heian nobles
Ice back then was not as easy to get as it is today. The ice that has been frozen by natural cold air in a pond made from melted snow during the winter is transported to an underground storage called an ice-muro. It was a very laborious task, lined up ice on top of warabi ears and thatched, and then covered it all over and stored it.
These precious and high-class ice were brought to the nobles in the summer, where they were placed in the palm of their hands to enjoy the coolness, shaving them and eating them. During the mid-Heian period, sweet seasonings were also very valuable, and honey, starch syrup, and amazura were ingredients that only those of noble status could eat.
Shaved ice, which was eaten with precious nectar over high-grade ice, was a "requisite" that only a limited number of aristocrats of the time could enjoy.
The true nature of the phantom sweetener "amazura"
The "amazura" written by Sei Shonagon is thought to be the sap of vines or the juice of sweet tea vines, but it is still not known exactly which plant it actually refers to. For many years, many have wondered what the shaved ice with this mysterious sweetener tasted like.
In recent years, a leading expert in Japanese food culture research has reproduced the nectar from the time when using sweet tea vines. The nectar, made by crushing and boiling sweet tea vines, has a slight earthy aroma, but has a subtle, gentle sweetness. When eaten with ice, the unique aroma of root vegetables first spreads, and then the natural sweetness that will remain on your tongue forever is impressive.
The flavor was reproduced with a slightly stronger flavor so that it would be delicious even for modern people to eat, but it is believed that the food that the aristocrats of the time were even lighter. For the people of Heian, who had little opportunity to sip sweet things, it still felt sweet and rich enough.
Basic knowledge of ice making fluffy shaved ice
The difference in texture determined by the ice type
Choosing ice is the most important thing when making delicious shaved ice. It is difficult to achieve the ideal fluffy texture with rose ice made in a home ice maker. For authentic shaved ice, special ice is used, known as "natural ice" or "pure ice."
Characteristics and charms of natural ice Natural ice is made in an outdoor ice pond that takes advantage of the harsh winter environment. Slowly freeze over time under harsh conditions that are dependent on temperature and climate, creating dense, difficult-to-melting ice. This precious ice can truly be said to be the "blessing of winter", and the special flavor created by the effort and time is exceptional.
It takes a lot of time and effort to make natural ice. Because it depends on the cold of nature, it is difficult to maintain the same quality every year, as it may not be possible to provide sufficiently thick ice in warm winter years. However, that is why natural ice has a special feeling that you can't find anywhere else.
pure ice is attractive and practical , pure ice is made from pure water and is iced over a long period of 48 to 72 hours. The manufacturing method and time vary depending on the manufacturer, but it is generally considered to be 48 hours, and some of them take 60 or 72 hours to make.
Pure ice is easier to obtain than natural ice and has a stable quality, so pure ice is recommended when starting shaved ice at home. Both ices are dense and have a beautiful, clear look that is incomparable to regular ice.
What is the optimal ice condition?
The temperature of the ice is extremely important to make fluffy shaved ice. The crunchy, frozen ice that has just been taken out of the freezer will give it a crunchy texture when shaved. Also, be careful as it can damage the blades of shaved ice machines.
The ideal state is -5°C to -2°C, from semi-transparent to transparent. The ice appears to be a little cloudy in this temperature zone, and by shaving the surface into a strip of thin stripes, you can create shaved ice with a fluffy texture like snow.
Key points to buying and storing ice
When purchasing ice from an ice shop, it is common to order it in units called "Kanme." The kanmei ice is a rectangular shape of approximately 13 x 13 x 26 cm, and is usually used by splitting it in half along the groove with an ice pick.
| Ice types | size | weight | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanme Ice | 13 x 13 x 26 cm | Approximately 7.5kg | Basic size, split in half and use |
| Semi-nuru ice | 13 x 13 x 13 cm | Approximately 3.75kg | Easy to use size, perfect for home use |
The minimum order unit varies depending on the ice shop, but generally delivery is made in units of 3rd or 4th craft units. It is important to check the delivery area and minimum order quantity before purchasing.
Some manufacturers already offer ice packed in semi-enterprise units, so there is no need to crack it with an ice pick, and since it is individually wrapped, you can use it with confidence in terms of hygiene.
Enjoy the diversity of shaved ice
It's not just fluffy
In recent years, I've started to hear the term "gourmet shaved ice." This style has been gaining attention since 2011, and refers to shaved ice, which is made from extremely thin shaved high-quality ice, using syrup made from fresh fruit and high-quality ingredients, and is decorated to look beautiful.
Gourmet shaved ice has three elements: "Use delicious, high-quality ice to make the ice fluffy and thin," "Use raw fruit syrup, high-quality sugar and matcha ingredients," and "Make the appearance decorative." The beautiful presentation and the appearance of cream and espuma is very memorable and exciting.
However, the appeal of shaved ice is by no means just "fluffy." Rather, the true charm of shaved ice is that it allows you to enjoy a variety of textures and flavors depending on how the ice is shaved and the combination with syrup.
The role of shaved ice as a functional food
Originally, shave ice was a functional food designed to cool the body during the hot and humid Japanese summer. It started out in the middle of summer by eating ice crushed with a knife, and since it was crushed with a sword, the ice grains were naturally rough.
However, in the summer, in order to cool the bodies of the nobles wearing the twelve singles, they cannot cool them from inside without chewing and swallowing the rough ice. Although it didn't have the fluffy texture that is what it is today, it played an important role in preventing the heat.
A unique shaved ice culture for each region
"Bukkakushi Ice" loved at baseball stadiums "Bukkakushi Ice" is popular at summer stadiums, and is also an important part of the shaved ice culture. This ice can be sweetly seasoned with coarse ice to prevent it from melting quickly in the hot sun, and when eaten at a hot stadium, it gives off an indescribable deliciousness. The slightly coarsely shaved shaved ice that you eat in the hot summer sun is exceptionally refreshing to quench your thirst.
Smooth ice in Kyushu and Chugoku regions In Kyushu and Chugoku regions, a style of mixing ice that has been shaved into a smooth powdered snow is popular. The "Eating Milkshake," famous for local ice in the Nagasaki region, is served in a sorbet form, mixed with eggs, milk and sugar.
Since ice that cannot be dissolved even when mixed into the liquid must be scraped, fluffy ice will melt and become watery. The frozen ice must be shaved into a smooth, powdery, and this requires special skills.
Made for those who sweat a lot by going up and down the slopes every day in Nagasaki, this menu continues to be loved as a fast food that allows you to enjoy the cool ice and then drink it all up and go back to work.
The essence of shaved ice lies in the owner's skill
It's important to choose the nectar to match the smooth, fluffy, and crunchy ice, and how to feed them. And that's where the owner shows off his skills.
Even if you use the same syrup, the taste of the shaved ice will change depending on the owner's method of making it. The ice is very delicate and difficult to handle. The syrup made with fresh fruit is of course super tasty, but the sleet made with sugar and water, and the ice covered in the sparkling, old-fashioned coloured syrup also has a special charm.
Choosing a shaved ice machine at home
The appeal of electric type
If you want to enjoy shaved ice at home, we recommend an easy-to-use electric ice machine. The latest electric ice shave machines are designed to provide a fluffy texture even when made from home ice trays.
The advantage of the electric type is that it can scrape a large amount of ice in a short amount of time without using force. This is especially useful when making shaved ice for multiple people at homes with small children or parties. The latest models also support frozen fruits, and the appeal of this product is that they can easily enjoy fruit shaved ice.
The appeal of manual type
On the other hand, manual shaved ice machines have a different appeal than electric ones. You can control the speed of cutting yourself, so you can sharpen the product in the optimal way according to the condition of the ice.
The manual type does not require a power source, so it can be used outdoors such as camping and picnics. Another great feature is that it is quiet so you can use it even at night without worrying about your surroundings.
Tips for choosing a shaved ice machine
When choosing a shaved ice machine, it is important to consider the following points:
| item | Electric type | Manual type |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting speed | early | slowly |
| Adjusting the cutting condition | Depending on the model | Finely adjustable |
| Sound volume | A little big | quiet |
| power supply | need | No need |
| Price range | From 3,000 yen | From 1,000 yen |
Choose the most suitable type, taking into consideration the number of people in your family, frequency of use, and location.
Improve your taste with authentic syrup
The appeal of additive-free syrup
Ice isn't the only thing that determines the deliciousness of shaved ice. The quality of the syrup is also an important factor. In recent years, additive-free syrups made from natural fruits have become popular.
The appeal of additive-free syrup is that it allows you to enjoy the natural sweetness and aroma of the fruit. It does not contain artificial coloring or preservatives, so even small children can eat it with confidence.
Seasonal fruit syrup
Spring, summer, autumn, winter, each season has seasonal fruits. By choosing fruit syrup that suits the season, such as spring strawberries, summer mangoes and peaches, autumn grapes and pears, and winter mandarin oranges, you can enjoy shaved ice even more.
Enjoying Japanese-style syrup
Recently, Japanese-style syrups such as matcha, roasted tea, and black syrup kinako have also become popular. These syrups combine the cold ice with the Japanese flavor perfectly, allowing adults to enjoy an elegant taste that will satisfy them.
Shaved ice arrangement recipes that can be made at home
Fruit Shaved Ice
Shaved ice topped with fresh fruit is beautiful and tastes exceptionally beautiful. Simply place the cut fruit on ice and pour it with fruit syrup to give it a cafe-like finish.
Shaved ice in anmitsu style
Anmitsu style arrangements are popular as Japanese-style shaved ice. Topped with sweet azuki beans, shiratama dumplings, agar, fruit, etc., and pour black syrup into it to finish. The volume is attractive and satisfying your stomach.
Milk shaved ice
Milk-based shaved ice made with condensed milk and fresh cream is loved by everyone from children to adults. The combination of strawberry syrup and condensed milk is a classic and looks cute.
summary
Shaved ice is Japan's proud food culture, which has been loved for over 1,000 years from the Heian period to the present day. It began with a luxurious ice cream that Sei Shonagon wrote as "a trustworthy thing," and has now become a familiar item that can be easily enjoyed at home.
Shaved ice has endless ways to enjoy it depending on the type of ice, how to cut it, and how to choose the syrup. One of the attractions is that it not only has a fluffy texture, but also offers a variety of textures, such as crunchy and smooth.
Japan's summer heats up every year, so why not try enjoying the cool, delicious shaved ice?
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