The Maker Speaks
Chou-ice
Ice Cream Puffs for Summertime?
Ice Cream Puffs for Summertime?
In 1964 March, Hirota began to sell Chou-ice at their shop. I suppose most have known nothing about what Hirota is. And almost nobody can explain about Chou-ice.
First, what is Hirota? It is a confectionery manufacturer originally established in 1924 Osaka. The temporary peace times between the two world wars. In those days, Japanese people struggled to catch up the advanced countries. Why? The Western nations kept invading the backward at the time. Then, Japan was upset. Becoming a part of advanced countries, or getting invaded before long. In order to be a part of the advanced, Japan worked hard to get Westernized. Hirota played a part of the enormous change called Modernization, started to manufacture some Western confectionery in 1924.
In 1935, they began to manufacture their cream puffs (chou à la crème). And it became their special. Their cream puffs were loved so much by many, not just Osaka people. Needless to say, chou à la crème is a popular confectionery of France. It was brought to Japan in the middle of the 19th century, and Japan's people were already familiar with chou à la crème (cream puffs) when Hirota released their puffs.
Cream puffs didn't hit in summer, however. Most people desired something cold to drink, they hardly longed for sweets when it was hot. Then, Hirota had to think hard to survive thru summer. In 1964, they showed the answer. Chou-ice was it. What was Chou-ice? They put ice cream into the puffs instead of cream. The ice cream puffs were naturally so cold that many people were fond when it was hot.
First, what is Hirota? It is a confectionery manufacturer originally established in 1924 Osaka. The temporary peace times between the two world wars. In those days, Japanese people struggled to catch up the advanced countries. Why? The Western nations kept invading the backward at the time. Then, Japan was upset. Becoming a part of advanced countries, or getting invaded before long. In order to be a part of the advanced, Japan worked hard to get Westernized. Hirota played a part of the enormous change called Modernization, started to manufacture some Western confectionery in 1924.
In 1935, they began to manufacture their cream puffs (chou à la crème). And it became their special. Their cream puffs were loved so much by many, not just Osaka people. Needless to say, chou à la crème is a popular confectionery of France. It was brought to Japan in the middle of the 19th century, and Japan's people were already familiar with chou à la crème (cream puffs) when Hirota released their puffs.
Cream puffs didn't hit in summer, however. Most people desired something cold to drink, they hardly longed for sweets when it was hot. Then, Hirota had to think hard to survive thru summer. In 1964, they showed the answer. Chou-ice was it. What was Chou-ice? They put ice cream into the puffs instead of cream. The ice cream puffs were naturally so cold that many people were fond when it was hot.
・Hirota (Japanese)
