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The most common flavored ice treat that is requested by kids and adults alike is the snow cone. Most of the time, they are artificially flavored to taste like fruit. During the hot summer months, there has proven to be better way to get away from its damaging heat. Snow cones come in many different varieties, like ones that contain other desserts in the center, and the stuffed variety. While some are made to be eaten with one's hands, most are given out with a complimentary spoon and paper holder.
The first person to receive the patent for a shaver for ice blocks was Ernest Hansen in 1934. He was living in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he wanted to be able to more effectively shave ice in a sanitary fashion. He was not the one to discover adding artificial fruit flavorings to the ice though, that was his wife's own version of the traditional Italian Ice. This snow ball tradition has been passed down by Louisiana residents ever since. The years passed, and the name slowly changed into what is now known as the snow cone. Many people have probably seen these treats being sold out at festivals, by peddlers in a park, or even at a baseball game with the new technology snow cone maker. When it comes to making them today, they usually make it with a snow cone machine, or by crushing with their own hands.
America has kept the tradition alive by selling these icy snacks in their beloved round shape, sitting atop a paper cone or cup. They are known as many different things around the world. Like in Puerto Rico, where the natives there like to call them piragua, because they are shaped like pyramids. When in Puerto Rico, people are most likely to see many merchants that sell the chilly treats from the street primarily. Hawaiians prefer to call them shaved ice, which is sold just like they are here in the states. There have been a number of combination flavors that have gained in popularity over the years, like the rainbow flavor. They do this by mixing the syrup flavoring together to get the desired mix that they want.
Over the years, there has been a bit of misconception in distinction between the snow cone and the Italian ice, because they taste comparable to the untrained ice enthusiast. The real difference has to do with the ice's purity in attaining what is needed to make the flavored treat.
