Mochi ice cream

Mochi ice cream is a delightful fusion of the chewy texture of Japanese mochi and the creamy richness of ice cream. This exquisite dessert was conceived by Frances Hashimoto, a Japanese-American businesswoman and activist.

But what exactly is mochi ice cream? It consists of a soft, sticky rice cake, known as mochi, enveloping a scoop of ice cream. While you can find it in classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, there are also distinctive options such as Kona coffee, green tea, and red bean. The concept is inspired by traditional Japanese sweets like daifuku and manjū, but with a modern twist to achieve the perfect texture.

Frances Hashimoto, who served as the president and CEO of Mikawaya, is credited with the creation of mochi ice cream. Her husband, Joel Friedman, originally envisioned the combination of ice cream with mochi. The concept was first realized by Lotte in 1981 under the name Yukimi Daifuku, using rice starch and rice milk. However, it wasn't until 1993 that Mikawaya began producing mochi ice cream in the United States, after years of refining their recipe.

In 1994, Mikawaya introduced seven flavors of mochi ice cream in Hawaii, quickly gaining popularity. Thanks to Frances Hashimoto’s dedication and innovation, mochi ice cream has become a beloved treat in the United States and around the world.