Shave ice

Not to be confused with shaved ice.

Shave ice

Li-Hing & Lychee ice shave from crack seed shop in Hilo, Hawai'i
Details
Type	Frozen dessert
Main ingredient(s)	Ice, syrup, condensed milk (common variant)

Shave ice or Hawaiian shave ice is an ice-based dessert made by shaving a block of ice. While the product can resemble a snow cone, snow cones are made with crushed, rather than shaved, ice. Even though it is made with shaved ice, it is called "shave ice", not "shaved ice" in Hawai'i. On the Big Island of Hawai'i, it is also referred to as 'ice shave', though both terms (ice shave and shave ice) are used by locals.

Shaving produces a very fine ice that appears snow-like. Flavored syrups are added to the ice, which are absorbed by the ice instead of surrounding it. A properly made shave ice product rarely requires a straw, since the flavors are in the ice and not at the bottom of the cup. Although the traditional American flavors are common, shave ice in Hawai'i is often flavored with local ingredients such as guava, pineapple, coconut cream, passion fruit, li hing mui, lychee, kiwi fruit and mango. Hawaiian shave ice is traditionally served in a conical paper or plastic cup with multiple flavors and with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or azuki bean paste at the bottom of the cup. Sweetened condensed milk drizzled over the top is sometimes called a "snow cap." This style of shave ice is common on the north shore of O'ahu, as well as on Maui and the Big Island of Hawai'i (where it is called "Japanese style").

History

Shave ice traces its history to Japan, where it is known as kakigōri and dates back to the Heian Period. "Shave ice enjoyed world-wide popularity after Japanese plantation workers immigrated to the Hawaiian islands and took their traditional dessert with them, creating shave ice from large blocks of ice and using Japanese swords which were family heirlooms."

In 1934 New Orleans, inventor Ernest Hansen designed an "ice block shaver" in that became a local variation known as the Sno-ball.

In other countries

"Snow ice"—cream, milk, water, sugar and fruit, frozen and then shaved and served in cones—is popular in Taiwan and Indonesia and making inroads into the United States.

• Brazil - Raspadinha
• Bangladesh - Gola
• Colombia - Raspado
• Costa Rica - Copos and also called Granizado
• Cuba - Granizados
• Dominican Republic - Frío Frío and also in some parts of the country they are called Yun Yun
• El Salvador - Minuta
• Guatemala - Granizada but in other parts of the country they are also called Raspado
• Haïti - Fresco
• Italy - Granita, Grattachecca
• India - Gola barf
• Taiwan - Baobing There is also a version known as snow flake ice which uses shaved frozen milk and other flavors.
• Japan - Kakigori
• Korea - Patbingsu
• Mexico - Raspado, Yuki (only in northern Mexico
• Nicaragua - Raspado
• Peru - Raspadilla
• Philippines - Halo halo
• Puerto Rico - Piragua
• Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia - Ais/Es kacang
• Pakistan, Baraf ka Gola
• Panama - Raspao, often topped with sweetened condensed milk
• Suriname - Schaafijs
• Thailand - Nam khaeng sai
• English and French Caribbean islands - Snowball
• Colombia - Raspado or Cholado
• USA - Shaved Ice
• Honduras - Minuta, often topped with sweetened condensed milk
• Mauritius - Glaçon Rapé
• Venezuela - Cepillados or Raspados, sweetened with fruit juice, artificial flavors and condensed milk

Gallery
Hawaiian shave ice machine.  Syrups used for Hawaiian shave ice.  Adzuki beans on Li hing mui flavored ice, with mochi balls Adzuki beans on Li hing mui flavored ice, with mochi balls

See also

• Sno-ball