While enjoying a tasty shave ice treat, you may wonder where it originated. The brightly-colored dessert has a long history as well as many modern variations that span across cultures. A short history of this frozen food provides insight into how it was shaped over time.

What is Shave Ice?

While sometimes confused with a snow cone, shave ice is made of very thin shavings of ice. This process produces a softer, instead of crunchy, treat. It should have the texture of fresh snow so that the syrups are absorbed evenly throughout the ice rather than pooling at the bottom.

In addition to syrups and the ice, you can also add other elements. Sometimes fresh fruit, ice creams, azuki bean paste, or other bases are layered below the ice, while sweet creams and flavor powders are often added to the top. These additions allow the treat to be customizable for a wide variety of flavor experiences.

Where Did Shave Ice Originate?

Shave ice has been traced back to the Heian period in Japan. This was roughly a thousand years ago, making it a long-lived dessert. As ice could only be sourced in winter and needed to be appropriately stored, the treat was typically only eaten by members of high society. It wasn’t until refrigeration devices became more widespread in the early 1900s that the treat became popular among everyone. 

The dish came to Hawaii alongside Japanese immigrants, who would be working on sugarcane plantations across the islands. With access to cheap ice and a longing for a taste of home, many took to creating their own versions of shave ice.

 Where Can You Find Shave Ice?

While traditionally popular in Hawai’i, shave ice can now be found in many places in the continental United States and around the world in different variants. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, raspados is the name used for shave ice. These delicious icy desserts can include sweetened condensed milk, fresh fruit, and the pickled fruit juice called Chamoy for fans of the very sour.

If you are craving a shave ice treat, go to Antojito’s LindaMar. This traditional Mexican ice cream parlor in Mesa and Chandler, AZ, is home to a variety of frozen treats, including a wide selection of delicious raspados. To ask about flavors, call them in Mesa at (480) 274-8185 or in Chandler at (480) 590-0906 or visit their online menu to see their entire selection.