What is Shave Ice?
Shave ice is NOT a snow cone, but a flavorful, frozen layered concoction. The fluffy snow-like ice is piled on vanilla ice cream and then topped with up to three flavors. The flavors are amazing--the strawberry tastes as if you are biting into a fresh strawberry and the pina colada makes you feel like you are sipping a tropical drink on a sandy beach! There are twenty-four flavors, several signature combinations, and six sugar-free flavors. Finally, the piece de resistance…toppings! You can add one of many toppings--sweetened condensed milk, flavored sweetened condensed milk, and roasted coconut shavings to name a few.
The history of shave ice dates back to when immigrants from Japan arrived on the Hawaiian Islands to work in the pineapple fields and sugar cane plantations. The workers would take a block of ice, shave it with a machete and pour different flavored juices on it. For them it was a very refreshing break from the hot sun. At that time, shave ice was only enjoyed on Sundays, as it was the only day they had off. Eventually some of the immigrants moved off the plantations and opened grocery stores where they sold shave ice. Its popularity has continued to grow ever since.
The history of shave ice dates back to when immigrants from Japan arrived on the Hawaiian Islands to work in the pineapple fields and sugar cane plantations. The workers would take a block of ice, shave it with a machete and pour different flavored juices on it. For them it was a very refreshing break from the hot sun. At that time, shave ice was only enjoyed on Sundays, as it was the only day they had off. Eventually some of the immigrants moved off the plantations and opened grocery stores where they sold shave ice. Its popularity has continued to grow ever since.