Shave Ice or Snow Cones?

So what’s the difference between shave ice, shaved ice, sno balls, and snow cones? It all depends on the texture of the ice and where you live!

• Shaved ice consists of smooth, fine fluffy ice that holds syrup.
  
• Snow cones are made from hard crunchy ice. When syrup is added to the ice -- the syrup goes straight to the bottom.

The most common name for a cup of finely shaved"fluffy" ice is called shaved ice or in Hawaii, shave ice. Throughout the United States, you may also see shaved ice sold as Hawaiian Shaved Ice. In the southern United States, a cup of shaved ice may be called a sno-ball or snowball. And some people call a cup of shaved ice, a shaver.

What is President Barack Obama's Favorite Flavor?

"It's the Snowbama," REALLY! During the President's last trip to Hawaii, he ordered a flavor combination of lemon-lime, cherry and passion-guava syrups. He chose not to add sweet azuki red beans or ice cream, as some people do in Hawaii.

"I like my shave ice straight, no frills," said a casual Obama, wearing a white T-shirt, khaki shorts and sandals.

What are Azuki beans?

A sweet paste made from the East Asian-grown red azuki beans. The beans are first boiled then mashed into a paste and sweetened. Hawaini shave ice stands use a version of the paste that keeps a good portion of the softened beans intact rather than completely mashed. As with ice cream, the paste is scooped into the center of the shaved ice as ice is being added for an extra kick of sweetness midway through the treat.

Condensed Milk?

Traditionally, you can also request a finishing layer of sweetened condensed milk over your Shaved Ice. Condensed milk gives it a rich creamy texture.

What is Li-Hing Mui?

Li-hing-mui powder (pulverized dried salted plum) which is slighty salty-slightly sweet. It is typically poured over the Shaved Ice after the flavored syrup(s) are poured.

Where did Shaved Ice Come From?

Japanese plantation workers who migrated to Hawaii around 1920 to 1930 to work in the sugar and pineapple fields bought shave ice to Hawaii. In Japan shave ice is called Kakigori and it dates back to the Heian period running from 794 to 1185 A.D. During that time the ice was brought down from the mountains in the winter and stored in a cave called ‘Himuro’ in Japanese and means ‘Ice room’. At that time ice was considered rare and shave ice was a luxury, a treat reserved for royalty only. Today, these ice treats remain popular in Japan, which is the source of most shave ice machines.

When Japanese immigrants in Hawaii moved off the plantations and opened their own family-run grocery stores, shave ice went commercial and it was, and still is, hugely popular. In the 1950s, children would order their shave ice by color only, knowing what flavor each color represents. A mix of colors was called kalakoa, Hawaiian for "calico."