What’s the Difference Between Snow Cones and Shaved Ice?

Similarities Between Snow Cones and Shaved Ice

Both products have some type of ice scooped into a cup or cone and are then covered with some flavored syrup.

You may find either type of vendor at places like carnivals, festivals, county fairs, etc.

That’s where the similarity ends.

Let’s explore the differences.

Snow Cones

Snow cones are probably the more common item. You may see them called sno-cones or snowballs or some other variations, depending on where you’re located.

Snow cones are basically made using crushed ice. They are commonly served in small snow cone cups, filled with ice with a rounded top. They are similar in shape to an ice cream cone.

Syrup is poured on top, but the crushed ice doesn’t always absorb it completely because it’s so coarse. So some syrup often gets pooled at the bottom, which many folks love as the last mouthful.

This is popular at large events because it’s faster to produce. In fact, the ice can be crushed in advance in preparation for a big rush. Kids love snow cones because it’s chunky so they can chew on the ice.

Shaved Ice

Shaved ice is also known as Hawaiian shaved ice, or shave ice (without the “d”). In New Orleans, you’ll hear the term Snoball or Snow Ball. Different names are used, depending on where you’re located.

Shaved ice is made by, you guessed it, shaving the ice. This produces a fine texture, almost like fresh snow. The type of machine used for shaving can make a difference. Some vendors use a machine that takes ice cubes. This produces decent shaved ice that is noticeably different from the crushed ice used for snow cones.

However, the absolute best shaved ice comes from machines that use block ice. You can see a popular block ice shaver here. In the hands of a skilled operator using a good machine, it will be the softest and most fluffy texture you can imagine. You wouldn’t believe how different it is unless you’ve tried one.

Shaved ice is often served in foam cups or flower cups. There can be dozens of flavor options, sometimes an overwhelming number. Additional toppings are also popular. Items such as a scoop of ice cream, red azuki beans or sweetened condensed milk are common favorites.

You’ll see shaved ice sold at roadside stands, food trucks/trailers, and stand-alone businesses.

Conclusion

Of course, these are all generalizations, and you can find various crossover combinations of everything described.

The biggest difference is the texture of the ice. Just remember, crushed ice vs. shaved ice. Each one has its fans and both are a super popular treat on a hot summer day.

As for mistakenly calling it a snow cone when ordering from a shaved ice vendor, they might get offended. You’ve been warned. But don’t sweat it, just enjoy.