HB

As one of Unilever Ireland'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. 

Ice Cream is better than you think

Ice cream is made from ice (water), pure Irish milk and cream, fat sugar and natural flavours and colours.   All of these ingredients are necessary for you in your diet to lead an active lifestyle.   From these ingredients you get protein that helps build body tissue, carbohydrates and fats which give you energy and essential vitamins and minerals like calcium that help to strengthen bones and teeth.

And you will be surprised how low in fat HB ice cream is – all of the products in the Hazelbrook Farm range contain less than 5g Fat per 100 ml serving.

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, the late 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.
• Today, HB’s famous Hazelbrook Farm range of tubs and bricks is made in Killeshandra, Co Cavan.   Other brands within the portfolio include Carte D’Or, Viennetta, Romantica and our very successful Mulitpacks.
• Our impulse range has Irelands leading ice pops within its portfolio, including Magnum, Solero, Cornetto, Loop, Ice Berger, Twister, Brunch, Choc Ice, Split…..all our favourite ice cream that we grew up with and still love.         

Did You Know?

• Ireland has the 3^rd highest ice cream consumption in Europe – who says you need sunshine to eat ice cream?
• Irish people eat on average 9 litres of ice cream per annum, the average consumption in Europe is around 6 litres per person
• It takes over 1,000 cows to make over 3 million litres of HB ice cream every year
• HB ice cream is made from 100% pure Irish milk, unlike some of our competitors who use artificial milk substitutes instead of real milk
• The average number of licks to finish off a single ice pop is 50
• Ice cream is the only food you eat frozen and offers a unique sensory experience
• HB Vanilla has less than 4 grams of fat and only 89 calories per 100ml serving. HB ice cream is a better treat to give your kids - one portion of HB ice cream contains less fat than a chocolate bar or a packet of crisps.        

Ice Cream makes you happy – its official!

HB carried out scientific research which shows that ice cream actually makes you happy. The study was carried out using FMRI brain scanners, and showed that eating HB has an immediate effect on the part of the brain that is activated when someone is really enjoying themselves – the pleasure areas.

So we now have scientific evidence to prove what we all already knew, that ice cream really does make you happy!

Happy cows = healthy ice cream

HB is currently carrying our research in Northern Ireland which shows that cows who graze on fresh pasture and have a diet enriched with rapeseed oil, produce ice cream that is low in unsaturated fatty acids. Our happy cows are being monitored throughout the summer for good health and well being such as social interaction. Watch this space for our happy herd update!

For more information please call our careline on 1850 444424

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