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Let’s take a look at the information about the location preferences of the Bay Area community, Uji Time Dessert
of Uji Time Dessert – California. The report “Most Diverse struck a balance that resonated with customers. This
States” published by Wise Voter said that California is the authenticity not only attracted customers seeking genuine
second most diverse state in the United States, where has experiences but also celebrated the cultural heritage be-
a population of 39 million people, with a racial and ethnic hind the dessert.
diversity percentage of 69.75%. The ice cream market here As well as giving back to the campus, Uji Time Des-
is also a real objective. Data released by Statista in April sert also helps the students to do different types of activ-
2022 shows California leading the way in hard ice cream ities on campus.
production in the 10-year period stretching from 2011 to In a world where cultural exchange and understand-
2021. It churned out a stunning 77,000 gallons of ice cream ing are more important than ever, Uji Time Dessert serves
on its own, compared to about 475,800 thousand gallons as a shining example of how a simple dessert can become
by all other U.S. states combined. a powerful symbol of multiculturalism. Through their
Aside from the location advantage, the success of commitment to celebrating diversity, embracing authen-
Uji Time Dessert can be attributed to its founder, Sharon ticity, and creating a space that brings people together,
Ku, and her inspiring story. Sharon was raised in Hong Sharon Ku and her team have shown that ice cream can
Kong, and when she moved to Berkeley, California, to transcend its role as a sweet treat and become a catalyst
pursue her education at the University of California at for unity and cultural appreciation.
Berkeley, she was immediately captivated by the multi- As we continue to navigate an increasingly intercon-
cultural community that surrounded her. It was the nected world, let us remember the lessons learned from
vibrant and diverse atmosphere of the university that Uji Time Dessert. Let us cherish the power of food to
opened her eyes to the beauty of different cultures bridge divides and foster understanding. Just like Shang-
coming together under one roof. hai, the city has learned from and absorbed various foreign
The community that had embraced Sharon and her cultures, fused and inherited them to form the unique
friends warmly motivated them to give back after gradu- Shanghai culture – Haipai culture, and has also brought
ation. This is when Uji Time Dessert was born. By com- together cuisines from all over the world. Let us savor
bining their passion for ice cream and their desire to every scoop of ice cream as a reminder that, no matter
celebrate multiculturalism, they set out to create a space our background or beliefs, we can all find common ground
where people could come together and enjoy delicious in the joy of shared experiences and delicious desserts.
treats while embracing diversity.
Ice cream, in this context, became a symbol of
multiculturalism. Uji Time Dessert’s innovative taiyaki
soft serve, with its fusion of Asian flavors, represented
the coming together of different cultures in a harmoni-
ous and delicious way. According to Uji Time Dessert,
they want to use a variety of Asian-inspired fusion
flavors, to talk about various Asian cultures, and be a
place for many Asian students in Berkeley when they
miss their home cuisine. The dessert store became a
gathering place for people from all sorts of backgrounds,
fostering conversations and connections that transcend-
ed language and cultural barriers.
The popularity of Uji Time Dessert and its unique Conversations
approach to ice cream served as a testament to the pow-
er of food in promoting unity and understanding. spark, memories are
Through their innovative creations, Sharon and her team
showcased the rich diversity of flavors and ingredients shared, and connec-
from around the world, introducing customers to new
tastes and experiences. tions are made over a
The success of Uji Time Dessert also highlighted the
importance of authenticity in multiculturalism. By staying shared love for this
true to the traditional techniques and flavors of taiyaki, frozen delight.
while incorporating local ingredients and catering to the

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