Thursday, August 9, 2007


Shaved Ice or Snow Cone...What's the Difference??

Since we're starting from 'Ground Zero', we thought it would be best to initially define the differences between Shaved Ice and Snow Cones. So, here we go!



Shaved Ice:

  • Shaved ice is made with fine, fresh snow that is shaved with either a cubed ice shaver or a block ice shaver. Ice is never crunchy.
  • Often served in various sizes in foam, paper or squat cups. The shaved ice is often rounded on top of the cup. Usually served with a spoonstraw and a spoon.
  • Most commonly called Hawaiian Shaved Ice throughout the United States, Sno-Balls (New Orleans), Shave Ice (Hawaii) or Shaver (North Carolina).
  • Usually offered with a variety of flavors numbering from 20 to more than 70.
  • Typically sold at neighborhood roadside shaved ice stands, mobile carts, trailers or vehicles, carnivals and other festivals.
  • The smooth product is great for repeat business.
  • Easy and quick to produce but still more time consuming than snow cones.
  • Ice is shaved as ordered. It cannot be shaved in advance.
  • Often topped with a variety of shaved ice toppings or cream flavors.
  • Prices vary depending on the size of the cup and can range from $0.75 to $6.00 depending on the size.




Snow Cones:

Snow Cones are made from snow cone machines that crush ice cubes (bag ice) into small pellets. Snow cones are never made with block ice machines.

  • Ice is crunchy.
  • When flavor is added to ice, the flavor often runs to the bottom of the cup.
  • It is often served in one or two sizes. The most common is a 6 ounce cone type cup. The ice is usually rounded on top of the cone and typically served without a spoon.
  • Most often, the ice is crushed ahead of time and dipped with a special nylon snow cone dipper.
  • It is usually sold at carnivals, county fairs, school events, festivals or concession stands.
  • It is easy and quick to make.
  • Usually it is offered with a limited number of flavors, between 2 to 5.
  • Prices range from $1.00 to $4.00, depending on the container used.
Now, when evaluating which type of concession you want to operate, you will know the basic differences between the two products.

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