Have you ever wondered how Mochi Ice Cream was created? (Hint: It came from a lightening bolt idea on a train from Tokyo to Nagoya.) Did you know there is a FLAVOR ROOM in the Mochi Ice Cream factory?

Mochi Ice Cream made an appearance on the airwaves of Southern California Pacific Radio (KPCC) recently. KPCC toured our Vernon factory, where more than 100,000 Mochi Ice Cream balls are made DAILY!

Joel Friedman and Frances Hashimoto, the team that brought Mochi Ice Cream into existence, told the story of how the creamy dessert came to be and how it has grown into a consumer favorite. Mr. Friedman said the idea struck him on a train: “What about inserting ice cream, the most American of treats, inside Mochi, the most Japanese of desserts, made of a sticky ball of sweet rice flour?”

Read more/hear the full story HERE.

Have you heard?

Mikawaya, the creator of Mochi Ice Cream, has achieved the OK Kosher Certification for its delicious Mochi Ice Cream and Mikawaya pastries. New packaging with the OK symbol will begin rolling out at grocery stores across the U.S. within the next few weeks.

The ice cream and pastry manufacturer is happy to respond to the rapid growth in demand for Kosher products, with more than 10 million U.S. consumers seeking Kosher food products in their favorite grocery stores everyday. More than 60 percent of Kosher food buyers purchase Kosher products for food quality purposes, according to a survey by research firm Mintel. Kosher food has a reputation of excellent inspection procedures and Mikawaya is pleased to follow these guidelines.

Kosher certification is achieved by using a list of Kosher-approved ingredients and engaging in a set of proper procedures to ensure that there is a strategic separation of Kosher and non-Kosher production at all times on all equipment at the manufacturing plant seeking Kosher certification. Finally, a rabbi inspects the facility to approve that the facility is maintaining proper Kosher standards.

Mikawaya employs strict guidelines at its facility to abide by state, Kosher, Halal and Federal certifications. For example, in consideration of consumers with nut allergies and in compliance with Mikawaya’s certifications, the facility thoroughly sanitizes the machines, piping and fillers after nut-containing products are made and the company shuts down production for the remainder of the day.