Pipikaula facts for kids

Pipikaula (say "pee-pee-KOW-lah") is a special Hawaiian food. It's made from beef that is salted and dried. Think of it like a type of beef jerky. Hawaiian paniolos, who were cowboys, loved to eat pipikaula. People often cooked it by broiling it before eating.

The Story of Pipikaula

Hawaiian Cowboys and Cattle

Long ago, in the 1800s, a man named John Parker brought cowboys from Mexico to Hawaii. These cowboys taught the Hawaiian people how to raise cattle on ranches. The Hawaiian cowboys from places like Kamuela and Kula became known as paniolos.

Raising cattle grew very popular in Hawaii for about 100 years. By 1960, a huge part of Hawaii's land was used for cattle ranches. The beef was even sent to other countries! The paniolos often chewed on pipikaula as a snack.

How Pipikaula is Made Today

Over time, ideas from Asian cooking came to Hawaii. Now, many people marinate the beef strips in soy sauce before drying them. This gives pipikaula a delicious, savory flavor.

When pipikaula is dried in the sun, people often use a special box with screens. This helps keep the meat clean and safe from dust or flies. You might find dried pipikaula served as a tasty snack or appetizer at a lū‘au. A lū‘au is a traditional Hawaiian feast with lots of food, music, and dancing!