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Taste the fun side of life!
Mention ice cream and most people in Ireland think HB. The nation’s number one ice cream brand has brought you a number of much-loved classics over the years: from the seduction of a Magnum or Cornetto, to the refreshing taste of Solero or a slice of HB Hazelbrook farm or Viennetta after dinner. As one of Unilever’s leading brands, it has always been the HB mission to add vitality to your life – while being responsible about good nutrition. That’s why we’re constantly adjusting our range to keep up with changing needs. Lighter versions are available for those watching the calories, smaller sizes for smaller appetites and old favourites for those nostalgia lovers – there’s something for everyone.
How it all started
In 1898 William and Margaret Hughes built their new Hazelbrook farmhouse in Rathfarnham. In 1924, their three sons, James, George and William established Ireland’s first dairy factory at Hazelbrook Farm.
In 1926, in order to use up the surplus milk and cream that was produced during the spring and summer, the three Hughes Brothers took another momentous decision – they began to manufacture Ice Cream. From this small, family run operation, Ireland’s favourite ice cream brand, HB, was born.
Although Hughes Brothers was acquired by W.R. Grace and Co., New York in 1964 and subsequently by Unilever in 1973, William W Hughes, son of James, one of the founding brothers, remained an influential board member until his retirement in 1982.
Today, HB Ice Cream divides its manufacturing in two parts: The In Home and Out of Home ranges. The In Home range consists of HB’s famous Hazelbrook Farm family tubs and bricks, the Viennetta range of ice cream desserts, premium Carte D’Or tubs and our very successful Multipacks. The Out of Home range is a HB success story and includes brands like Magnum, Solero, Cornetto, Kids and Classics. The kids range is specially formulated for little taste buds with favourites such as Loop the Loop, Twister and Calippo. The Classics range is our most popular with the biggest selling Ice Creams in Ireland such as Ice Berger, Maxi Twist and Brunch.
Did you know?
Although the Irish population of the 1920s lived in relative poverty with the average wage being less than €3.20 per week, it became a tradition to purchase a HB 1 Pint Brick of Ice Cream to be consumed after mass with Sunday lunch.
Apart from using modern colours and an ice cream product shot, the HB 1 pint vanilla brick is still sold in a similar cardboard pack to that which was used in the 1920s – why change when you are on to a winning formula?
HB has an 80% share in the ice cream market, with an 83% share of the Out of Home range – the highest in the entire industry.
Ice cream is made from milk, fat and sugar. These are cooled as they are mixed, then whipped to create a light, airy texture. Flavourings, fruit or chocolate are added then the whole mixture is frozen again before packaging.
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