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’, 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 is 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 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 and the Big Island of Hawai’i (where it is called “Japanese style”).

History:

Shave ice has its origins in China, as early as the 7th century AD.

It was imported to America by Japanese immigrants. Japanese immigrants 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 & Snowcones 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.

• Brazil – Raspadinha
• Bangladesh – Gola
• Cambodia – Teuk Kork Chus (ទឹកកកឈូស)
• 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
• France – Granité Hawaïen
• Guatemala – Granizada but in other parts of the country they are also called Raspado
• Guyana – Crush Ice or Snow Cone and are topped with condensed milk.
• Haïti – Fresco
• Italy – Granita, Grattachecca
• India – Chuski / Baraf ka Gola
• Taiwan – Baobing: There is also a version known as snow flake ice which uses shaved frozen milk and other flavors.
• Japan – Kakigōri
• 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
• Cambodia – Tuk Kak Chhous, ទឹកកកឈូស
• Thailand – Nam khaeng sai
• English and French Caribbean islands – Snowball
• Colombia – Raspado or Cholado
• United States – Shaved Ice/Snowball/Snoball, especially in Baltimore,
• Maryland and New Orleans, Louisiana
• Honduras – Minuta, often topped with sweetened condensed milk
• Mauritius – Glaçon Rapé