Hokey pokey (ice cream)

Hokey pokey is a popular flavour of ice cream in New Zealand, consisting of plain vanilla ice cream with small, solid lumps of honeycomb toffee.

The name "hokey pokey" is believed to have originated as a general term for ice cream in New Zealand, possibly derived from the calls of street vendors in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, its contemporary usage almost exclusively refers to the honeycomb and vanilla flavour combination.

The defining characteristic of hokey pokey ice cream is the honeycomb toffee, which provides a contrasting crunchy texture and a distinctive sweet, caramel-like flavour. The toffee is typically made with baking soda, which creates air bubbles within the candy, giving it a light and porous structure. The vanilla ice cream serves as a smooth and creamy base, complementing the sweetness and texture of the honeycomb.

Hokey pokey is considered a quintessential New Zealand ice cream flavour and is widely available throughout the country in various forms, including pre-packaged tubs, cones, and scoops from ice cream parlours. It is also commonly used in other dessert applications, such as milkshakes and sundaes. Variations exist, often involving the size and distribution of the honeycomb pieces within the ice cream.