Snow cones are a cool, refreshing way to wind down after a particularly hard school session, day or if you just need to beat the heat. Some common names for snow cones around the world are ‘shave ice’ and snow-ball. In Guyana, it is now being called slushie or slushy by some children but the older Guyanese folks are more familiar with the terms snow cones or shaved ice. These along with flutie, custard block etc. are the beloved treats of a much older, or rather younger Guyana when imported snacks were not yet so widespread in Guyana. These cool treats are great for a relaxing afternoon.
Snow Cone – Image Source: https://www.needpix.com/photo/575385/ice-snow-cone-shaved-shaved-ice-food-summer-refreshment-flavor-color
What is Snow Cone?
Snow cone is a refreshing, icy snack sold throughout Guyana, the Caribbean and around the world. It is made with crushed or shaved ice and topped with flavoured sugar syrups and if you’re up for it – sweetened condensed milk. Snow cones are sold in plastic cups and bags which are sometimes knotted at the tip to prevent spilling and are usually accompanied by a colourful straw or spoon. The most popular colour of these Snow Cones is red, which is due to the red of the sugar syrups giving colour to the transparent ice. The colours yellow, green and blue are not as popular as the original red but are gradually becoming wider known. Sometimes customers would request more than one colour; a rainbow of colours and tastes, and the vendor would sell it. Sweetened condensed milk is an added luxury and serves to elevate this snack. It is not added to every Snow Cone but can be specifically requested but that too, at another price.
Snow cones are especially popular at schools; children would gather around the snow cone vendor at breaks, lunches and afternoons to buy snow cones. The sweet, syrupy flavour attracted these kids as well as adults, and even more so with the added flair of the condensed milk. One of the greatest reward and a matter of pride at schools was when the local Snow Cone vendor would allow you to have the almost emptied tin of condensed milk.
Origin of Snow Cones
- It is not known how or when the idea of Snow Cones began to take root in Guyana, though it must have been the sweltering, hot sun of the country that made this treat so in demand.
This story is reproduced from (https://www.gmpopcorn.com/resources/blog/shaved-ice-vs-snow-cone)
The Baltimore Snowball
The origins of icy treats in the contiguous US are steeped in myth and lore. On the east coast, according to Baltimore legend, when ice trucks and trains went through the city in the 1800s, transporting large ice blocks from New York to the South, children chased the wagons and begged for ice shavings.
It became a tradition – so mothers started to make their own flavorings for the next time the truck came around. The favorite topping was egg custard, created with eggs, vanilla, and sugar, a flavor variety still replicated today.2 Businesses began to catch on and sold “snowballs” as a tasty treat during the hot summer months, especially at movie theaters.
Nutritional Information of Snow Cones
- Carbs:25 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 25 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Potassium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamin A: 0 %
- Vitamin C: 0 %
- Calcium: 0 %
- Iron: 0 %
Benefits of Snow Cones
- Sugar and Energy Packed – Although Snow Cones contain a lot of sugar, there are some that can be made sugar free. But you may have to sacrifice the sweetness and texture of the reduced-sugar snow cones. The sugar can provide a short boost of energy and may get kids hyper, especially if eaten with sweetened condensed milk.
- Burns Calories – Ice can burn calories but this process is slow. Changing ice to body temperature burns around one (1) calorie per ounce. By eating one and a half (1.5) tons of ice, you would lose one (1) pound.
- Possible Weight Loss – Eating ice before a meal can reduce the amount of food you eat, meaning you eat less and can lose weight.
- Homemade – Snow cones can be made at home, so you can have your choice of sugar and syrups. Opt for sugar-free syrups for a healthier choice. You can even add fruits and berries to the mix!
- Wide Colour Choices – You can pick your favourite colour in this food, a choice not many kinds of foods can offer. If you cannot choose a colour, do not worry – you can have all of them in moderation, of course. Having a snow cone might take you down memory lane and remind you of fond memories shared over a snow cone.
How to make Snow Cones
Ingredients
- 1 cups water
- 1 cups sugar
- 1 packets of drink mix (KoolAid / Mac C / Tang)
- 4 cups crescent shaped ice cubes
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of water
Steps
- Boil water in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Add drink mix to the sugar syrup.
- Stir until drink mix is evenly mixed into syrups. Leave to Cool.
- Pour flavoured syrup into squeeze bottles and refrigerate.
- Place ice cubes in a blender.
- Cover and process on ice crush or pulse until ice is completely crushed.
- Transfer ice to a large bowl.
- Use an ice cream scoop to shape ice into balls and place in cups for serving.
- Drizzle with flavoured syrup.
- Enjoy!
About Snow Cones
Snow cones are an absolute delight. They are cool and refreshing especially after a long day or hot walk in the sun. Snow cones have been a popular icy treat in Guyana and are on sale in almost every region of Guyana but are especially popular at markets and schools. Snow cones have been around for a long time and hopefully, will be around for much longer. The next time you need a cool, refreshing snack purchase a Snow Cone. If there aren’t any vendors nearby use the recipe above and make your own Snow Cones. You will have the freedom to be creative while making your personal Snow Cone. Add fruits, berries and make this treat truly yours.
Article References
- https://www.dictionary.com/browse/snow–cone
- https://www.gmpopcorn.com/resources/blog/shaved-ice-vs-snow-cone
- https://www.theodysseyonline.com/8-reasons-snow-cone
- https://blog.hamiltonbeach.com/use-blender-make-homemade-snow-cones-summer
