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The Krembo (Hebrew: במבה) is a confection popular in Israel marketed solely during the Winter months. Usually wrapped in thin aluminum foil, it consists of a round biscuit base covered with a dollop of egg-foam and coated in chocolate. The egg-foam may be any number of flavors, the most popular being vanilla, followed by mocha. The word Krembo is a combination of the Hebrew words krem (cream) and bo (in it). The average Krembo weighs 25 grams (0.882 ounces) and has 115 calories.
Krembos Around the World
The forerunner of the Krembo was created about 200 years ago in Denmark. It was subsequently manufactured in various Northern European countries under names like "Nigger" in the United Kingdom, "Negro's Kiss" in Germany and many other countries, or some variant thereof. Most of these names have since been changed. But in the Netherlands such candies are still sold under the name "Negerzoen" ("Negro's kisses"). In Austria, they are called "Schwedenbomben" (swedish bombs). It is also similar to the South American candy, Alfajor, and the American mallomar. In Finland a similar candy is manufactured by Brunberg Oy. Its name was changed in 1998 from "Neekerin suukko," "Negro's kiss," to "Brunbergin suukko" ("Brunberg's kiss").
The sweet was introduced to Israel in 1966 by the Whitman Company, who first bestowed the name Krembo. In 1967 they introduced the coffee flavor. In 1979 the Whitman Company was acquired by the Strauss Company (mostly owned by Unilever's Heartbrand). Now Strauss controls 54% of the Krembo market in Israel.
Krembo in Israel
In Israel, Krembos are not produced all year long. They are only made from October to February ("Krembo season"). Despite its short season, some 50 million Krembos are sold each year—an average of 9 per person. It weighs 25 grams and has 115 calories.
According to a study funded by Strauss, Israel's leading Krembo producer, 69% of Israelis prefer to eat the Krembo from the top down (starting with the cream), and only 10% start with the biscuit at the bottom; the rest had no preference.
Krembo in popular culture
In the Hebrew translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Dumbledore's favorite sweet is a Krembo, instead of a sherbet lemon. Translator Gili Bar-Hillel has been alternately mocked and complimented for this decision.
Links
- Picture of a partially-eaten Krembo
- Article - 'Ten Things you don't know about a Krembo' (Hebrew)
- Strauss Company official Israel website
- Brunberg Oy website
