Snow cone facts for kids
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| Type | Shaved ice |
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A snow cone is a yummy frozen treat. It's made from ice that has been shaved or ground up. People usually serve snow cones in paper cones or foam cups. Sometimes, if it's in a cup, it's called a "snowball." This cool dessert is simply ice topped with sweet, flavored syrup.
In different parts of North America, "snowball" and "snow cone" can mean different things. If there's a difference, a snowball often has very finely shaved ice. It feels soft, like fresh snow. A snow cone might have coarser, crunchier ice.
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The Cool History of Snow Cones
How Ice Became a Treat
Back in the 1850s, something big happened in America. It was called the Industrial Revolution. This time brought new ways to make and sell things. For the first time, ice became easy to buy.
Big buildings called ice houses in New York sold ice. They would send huge blocks of ice south to places like Florida. These ice blocks traveled in wagons. On their way to Florida, the wagons passed through Baltimore. Kids in Baltimore would run up to the wagons. They would ask for a small bit of ice.
Soon, moms in Baltimore started making flavored syrups. They knew their kids would get ice from the wagons. The first flavor they made is still popular in Baltimore today. It was called egg custard. This flavor was easy to make. It only needed eggs, vanilla, and sugar.
Snow Cones at the Theater
By the 1870s, snowballs were super popular. During hot summer months, theaters started selling them. This helped keep people cool while they watched shows. Because of this, snowballs seemed like a fancy treat. Only wealthier people could usually afford them.
Old signs from theaters tell us about snowballs. These signs told people to finish their snowballs. They had to do this before the second part of the show. This is the first real proof we have of snowballs. In Baltimore theaters, people used hand shavers for the ice. Around the city, snowballs were served on newspaper. But in the fancy theaters, they used special butcher's boats.
In the 1890s, people wanted easier ways to make snowballs. Inventors started creating electric ice shavers. They even filed patents for these new machines.
Snow Cones During Tough Times
Snowballs became even more popular during the Great Depression and World War II. The Great Depression was a time when many people had little money. Snowballs were very cheap. They were one of the few treats people could still afford. Because they were so inexpensive, snowballs got nicknames. People called them the Hard Times Sundae or Penny Sunday.
If someone needed a job, they could sell snowballs. It didn't cost much to start. The treat became even more popular during World War II. During the war, most ice cream was sent to soldiers. This meant people at home needed a different cold treat. Snowballs filled this need. This lack of competition helped snowballs become famous all over the country.
