Summer is here and the perennial favourite ice cream is on all minds, young and old. But when was ice cream first sold in Hong Kong?
I tried Google AI and got this answer:
Ice cream was first sold in Hong Kong in 1921 by On Lok Yuen, a Western-style cafe chain that established the city's first ice cream factory, according to the South China Morning Post. They imported ingredients like skimmed milk powder and canned butter from Australia to make their ice cream.
In more detail:
On Lok Yuen's Pioneering Effort:
In 1921, Cheung Kat Shing, the founder of On Lok Yuen, established a factory to produce ice cream, marking the first time this frozen treat was formally manufactured in Hong Kong, according to Industrial History of Hong Kong.
Imported Ingredients:
Due to the scarcity of fresh milk and cream in Hong Kong at the time, Cheung imported ingredients like skimmed milk powder and canned butter from Australia to create American-style ice cream.
Early Popularity:
On Lok Yuen's ice cream, especially the strawberry and vanilla flavors, became very popular, enjoyed by many Hong Kong residents at their network of restaurants.
Dairy Farm's Entry:
While On Lok Yuen was the first, another major player, Dairy Farm, also entered the ice cream business in 1928.
I tried ChatGPT and got this answer:
Ice cream was first sold in Hong Kong in the early 20th century, around the 1920s. It was introduced by foreign traders and became popular among locals, especially during the warmer months. The ice cream was often sold from street vendors or small shops, and at that time, it was mostly Western-style ice cream, which would have been quite a novelty for the people there.
In the years that followed, the popularity of ice cream grew rapidly, and local flavors and adaptations began to emerge, blending traditional Chinese ingredients with Western styles. Do you have a particular interest in Hong Kong's ice cream history?
This question was prompted by this advertisement I came across in 1911:
Was that ice cream as we know it today? What would qualify as 'ice cream'?
Interesting to see if anyone can come up with any answers...
Early ice cream in HK
The Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cream says that "In 1769 Domenico Negri, an Italian confectioner, founded a business in Berkeley Square London which would become famous for its ice creams." So the ice creams we'd recognise would have been well known in 19th century Hong Kong.
An early example of ice cream for sale appeared on p. 3 of The China Mail, 1879-09-10:
THE ICE CREAM MAN AGAIN.
Daniel Robinson was charged with disturbing the peace on the night of the 9th inst., at eleven o'clock, in No. 5 district. He had been calling out his ice cream for sale.
Defendant admitted the charge and said he did not know it was against the law. The Court imposed a fine of fifty cents and instructed Robinson to take out a licence as a hawker, also telling him that he must not go about the streets disturbing people by his cries.
Defendant wished to know how he could make an honest living, if he were not allowed to call out what he had for sale.
His Worship said he must make an honest living without breaking the law.
Defendant paid the fine and left the court.