While you are cooling down on a hot summer day, here is what you need to know about the difference between your Italian ice and snow cone.
It’s hot. You’re thirsty. What do you reach for? A soft Italian ice or a crunchy snow cone?
As far as summer treats go, something with “ice” or “snow” in the name is probably a good choice to cool off with, but these two largely regional hot-weather staples are pretty different.
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What is Italian ice?
Italian ice has a finer, silkier texture than a snow cone and is made with water, sugar and flavoring that is added before the freezing process --ensuring all of the ice is coated evenly, Food52 shares. The flavoring is typically made from fruit concentrates or juices, or other natural flavorings like chocolate or coffee.
The dairy-free sweet treat is particularly popular in the northeast, where it reportedly originated from Italian immigrants, Vice reported. The American-style Italian snackvaries depending on the city. While New York and New Jersey mostly refer to the icy snack as “Italian ice,” Philadelphia (and parts of South Jersey) call their version “water ice.”
Regardless of location, though, Italian ice seems to all come from the coarser Italian granita, which is a soft semi-frozen dessert made from ice, sugar and flavoring.
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What is a snow cone?
Unlike the smooth texture of the Italian ice, a snow cone features crunchier, coarser crushed ice. The syrup flavoring is also added to the ice upon ordering -- instead of during the freezing process -- which leaves an icier, and possibly waterier dessert.
Snow cones, also known as “shaved ice” are especially popular on the west coast, and Hawaii, where the state is actually known for its “rainbow” flavor.
However, despite Hawaii’s attraction to the slushy snack, according to History.com, it actually originated in Texas in 1919 at the state fair.
Though several communities around the world have their own snow cone variation, the most common one found in the United States features syrup, typically in fruity flavors, that are poured over chopped ice that has been piled high in a cup or a cone.
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In the end, whether you like a silky smooth dessert or a chunkier ice treat – or prefer a snowball, which is a different thing entirely (featuring a consistency like fluffy snow with a generous pouring of syrup and served mostly in the south) -- rest assured, this summer you can get exactly what you want. As long as you know which one to order.
FAQs
Italian ice has a finer, silkier texture than a snow cone and is made with water, sugar and flavoring that is added before the freezing process -- ensuring all of the ice is coated evenly, Food52 shares.
What makes Italian ice different? ›
Italian ice is a semi-frozen sweetened treat composed of finely granulated ice and fruit concentrates, juices, or purées, or other natural or artificial food flavorings. Italian ice is similar to sorbet and snow cones, but differs from American-style sherbet in that it does not contain dairy or egg ingredients.
What's the difference between Italian ice and snowballs? ›
Snowballs are distinct from other forms of icy treats like Italian ice and the far-inferior snow cone. It is shaved ice (not chopped or ground), topped with a sweet syrup (never fresh fruit), and served in long cup.
What's the difference between Italian ice and slushie? ›
Italian ices are hand-dippable frozen consistency. Slushies are semi-frozen drinks with small ice pellets and liquid flavoring mixed together.
What's the difference between shaved ice and snow cones? ›
Shaved ice has a lighter, fluffier texture than crushed ice, which is commonly used for making snow cones. Shave ice's snow-like texture is softer than crunchier snow cones, which are made from crushed ice.
Is Italian ice just shaved ice? ›
Italian ice (and water ice, for that matter) are made in a process similar to ice cream. The ingredients are mixed together and then frozen. When you make shaved ice, the ice is frozen in cubes or blocks, shaved into very fine pieces, and then flavored with syrups and other toppings.
What makes Italian ice so smooth? ›
In order to get that fluffy texture, you will need to agitate the mixture every once in a while as it is setting in the freezer. The smooth consistency is what distinguishes Italian ice from the more crystalized ice desserts called granita and shaved ice.
Why is Italian ice so good? ›
An Italian Ice is prepared the same way that ice cream is made. The main difference is that instead of cream, it is completely water-based. Maybe that doesn't sound appealing, but this is exactly why it is so refreshing!
What is the best Italian ice? ›
Apparently, if you sell Italian ice, your name must start with an “L.” So, when it comes to the question, what's the best Italian ice brand, the answer is simple: It's either Lindy's or Luigi's. If you like softer, stretchier, creamy Italian ice, Luigi's is the best Italian ice brand for you.
Is Italian ice an American thing? ›
Italian Ice, interestingly, isn't Italian. It's an American invention that came out of New Jersey about 100 years ago. However, Italian Ice is based on an Italian creation called granita, which is a semi-frozen dessert, originally created in Sicily, that's made from sugar, water, and various flavorings.
New York City-style Italian Ice is a dairy-free frozen treat that combines sugar, fruit juice, and water. It draws inspiration from Neapolitan sorbetto and Sicilian Granita.
Are gelato and Italian ice the same? ›
Italian Ice, being dairy-free, is naturally lower in fat and calories. It's a guilt-free indulgence that won't weigh you down. Gelato, while lighter than traditional ice cream, contains dairy fat, giving it a bit more richness and a slightly higher calorie content.
Are sorbet and Italian ice the same? ›
Granita (aka Italian Ice)
Granitas have ingredients that are identical to sorbet—pureed fruit (or juice), sugar, and water—but they differ in texture.
Why does Italian ice taste so good? ›
It has three flavors to make up the three colors: lemon, cherry, and blue raspberry. The lemon is made with freshly squeezed lemons, the cherry has frozen cherries and the blue raspberry is a Torani syrup.
What is an interesting fact about Italian ice? ›
Italian ice is similar to sorbet and snow cones, but differs from American-style sherbet in that it does not contain dairy or egg ingredients. It was introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants and is derived from the Sicilian granita, a similar and related Italian dessert.
Is Italian ice just sorbet? ›
Italian ice and sorbet are similar in that they're both made with fruit, sugar, and water. However, there's a key difference in the way they're made. Sorbet is churned, which gives it a smoother, more velvety texture.
What's the difference between Hawaiian ice and Italian ice? ›
Italian ice typically has a smoother texture, and may initially remind you of other scoopable treats like sorbet and sherbet. Hawaiian shaved ice, however, looks like a delicious pile of sweet goodness and offers more room to get creative with toppings.
