Cooling down in Waikiki with Shave Ice
When you think of summer, a vacation would probably be the first thing that will pop into your head which is completely understandable. This is when most people spend time planning for a relaxing and fun-filled summer adventure, and if you are looking for a place where you can enjoy and destress from a busy life, Hawaii is the perfect vacation spot for you.
Hawaii is known for its tropical climate, which many tourists love. This is why this paradise is a perfect home to several beaches and tourist attractions. Many beach lovers flock around the islands all year round to enjoy basking under the sun’s warmth or experience the thrill of surfing. Apart from all these exhilarating adventures, there is one famous frozen treat that every tourist should never miss- Hawaiian shaved ice.
History of Shave Ice
If you are familiar with halo-halo from the Philippines or Korea’s patbingsu, then you probably know Hawaiian shave ice. The roots of this frozen dessert can be traced back to Japanese immigrants via Hawaii’s storied plantation past. The settlers from Japan had to work in the sugar and pineapple plantations of Hawaii in the mid-1800s. As a way to cool off, the Japanese workers used their tools to shave flakes off large blocks of ice before coating them with sugar or fruit juice. This frozen dessert was called kakigori. But in the Pidgin vernacular of the Hawaiian islands, it is called shave ice or ice shave.
As years passed, the popularity of shave ice skyrocketed, which prompted the opening of several shave ice shops. Among those shops, Matsumoto’s Shave Ice is one of the most popular ones. This particular shop opened in 1951 and later on became a renowned shave ice place in Oahu, and up until this day, Matsumoto’s Shave Ice is still popular among the locals and tourists.
The Flavors of Shave Ice
If there is one thing that is so special about shave ice, it is the fact that it is versatile. This dessert can go well with any flavor, and it will still taste delicious and refreshing. Traditional syrups are made of sugar, flavoring extracts, and additional coloring elements with acid to enhance its preservation. Eventually, new different flavors were incorporated and used to create the syrup.
Cherry, blue raspberry, watermelon, and grape are just some flavors that both kids and adults usually enjoy. But if you want to try a unique flavor, you can try the tiger’s blood, ume, coffee brew, melona, pickled mango, green river, Pepsi, and more.
In conclusion, Hawaii is truly a home to clean beaches, magnificent tourist spots, and a variety of mouthwatering dishes, delicacies, and desserts. Spending your free time in the beautiful islands of Hawaii will never be a regretful decision. Especially if you book with a tour operator who has experience of Hawaiian life first hand, and that is who Go Hawaii Tours is.