Shave ice


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. On the Big Island of Hawai'i, it is also referred to as 'ice shave'.
Shaved ice looks very white due to its small water particles. Added Flavored syrups are absorbed by the ice instead of surrounding it. There is rarely a need for a straw for a properly made shave ice confection, 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 adzuki 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, Kaua'i and the Big Island of Hawai'i.

History

Shave ice has its origins in East Asian cultures, as early as the 7th century AD.
Japanese immigrants imported it to America. They brought it along with them when they came to Hawaii to work in sugar plantations. After leaving plantations, they took up new professions. But by then Shave Ice & Snow cones had become immensely popular and part of Hawaiian culture.

In other countries

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