Ice shavings

Shaved ice

Snow cone with cherry syrup
Type	Frozen dessert
Course	dessert, snack
Main ingredients	Ice, syrup

Shaved ice is a large family of ice-based dessert made of fine shavings of ice or finely crushed ice and sweet condiments or syrups. Usually, the syrup is added after the ice has been frozen and shaved—typically at the point of sale. However, flavoring can also be added before freezing. The dessert is consumed worldwide in various forms and manners. Shaved ice can also mixed with large quantities of liquid to produce shaved ice drinks.

Many shaved ices are confused with "Italian ice". Italian ice, also known as "water ice", has the flavoring incorporated into the ice before it is frozen (although some commercial brands are flavored after production). Shaved ice—especially highly commercial shaved ice (such as that found in food chains or from street vendors)—is often flavored after the ice has been frozen and shaved. Snow cones are an example of shaved ice that is flavored after production.

The first documented "shaved ice" dessert was made in 27 B.C.E. The Roman Emperor Nero sent slaves to collect snow from nearby mountains that he then flavored with a fruit and honey mixture.

In imperial Japan, the dessert was also a treat reserved for royalty, as it was made of natural ice formed during the coldest period of winter, which was stored in icehouses. This made it very rare, and a supreme luxury available only to the Heian nobles; ordinary people could not afford it. As Japanese immigrated to Hawaii, they brought this tradition with them. Like Rome and Japan, in Hawaii warm areas are close enough to snow-capped mountains that snow can be brought into the warm areas without melting.

Central and South America shaved ice desserts have influences from both North American and Japanese cultures

In East Asia, shaved ice desserts are not only flavoured with various types of syrup. It is also common to add solid ingredients such as red bean paste, jellies, canned fruits, jams, sweetened condensed milk, and many other types of sweetened foods to vary the textures of the ice dessert.

Taiwanese Baobing with strawberries and sweetened condensed milk

Filipino Halo--halò with brightly coloured toppings

Japanese Kakigōri with green tea (matcha) flavoring

Korean Patbingsu with soft-serve ice cream and candied ingredients

In South Asia, snow cones are enjoyed as a low-cost summer treat, often shaved by hand.