Italian ice

Italian ice is a frozen or semi-frozen sweetened treat made with finely granulated ice and fruit (often from concentrates, juices, or purées) or other natural or artificial food flavorings.[1][2] Italian ice is similar to sorbet and snow cones, but differs from American-style sherbet in that it does not contain dairy or egg ingredients.[1]

For the Nicole Atkins album, see Italian Ice (album).
Italian ice
Lime-flavoured Italian ice in a paper cup served in Brooklyn, New York City
CourseDessert
Place of originItaly
Main ingredientsWater, fruit (concentrate, juice, or purée)

Italian ice was introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants and is derived from the Sicilian granita, a similar and related Italian dessert.[3] Common flavors include lemon, cherry, mango, cotton candy and other fruits and confections.[4]

A cup of Italian ice or water ice

Finely granulated flavored ice of Italian immigrant origin is instead commonly referred to and sold as water ice by residents and natives of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia metropolitan area, including South Jersey.[5] Water ice is almost identical to Italian ice, as it is similarly derived from granita brought to the Philadelphia area by Italian immigrants in early 20th century.

Though largely synonymous with Italian ice, water ice has also been described as a specific type of Italian ice originating in Philadelphia, or a "variation on the more broadly-accepted Italian ice."[6]

Water ice is generally sold in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia metropolitan area in the late spring and summer months, being one of the most popular iconic frozen desserts sold in the city by virtue of commercial chains such as Rita's Water Ice.[7]

History

Italian ice has a long history which can be found first 4000 years ago. The Greeks and Romans used snow from Mount Etna to cool their wines.[8] The Italian word sorbetto and English sherbet come from these sweet fruit syrups that the Arabs used to drink, diluted with ice tiles. For thousands of years, people have kept ice cubes to satisfy their cravings for cold drinks. Today's snow cones may have originated from ice cubes that formed long ago, forming real snow mixed with honey and fruit.[9]

In Europe, italian ice seems to have appeared at the same time as ice cream in the second half of the 17th century. Both products use the same technology. Italian ice can be used as a stand-alone refreshment, dessert, or as a means of restoring the palate midway through a meal of many courses.[10]

Nutrition

Except when made from fruit or fruit juice, Italian ice is defined in US law as a food of minimal nutritional value.[11]

See also
  • Granita, a Sicilian preparation made of partially frozen water, flavorings, and sometimes sugar
  • Shaved ice, a class of related but distinct desserts
  • Slushy, a frozen drink made from flavored ice, similar to granitas

References
  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Archived 2020-02-04 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 9 June 2011.
  2. "What's in the Ice Cream Aisle? Archived 2018-05-04 at the Wayback Machine". International Dairy Foods Association. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  3. Bienenstock, David (August 20, 2015). "The Best Italian Ice Is Frozen in Time". Munchies. Vice Media. Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  4. "Top 10 Italian Ice Flavors". K 104.7. 2018-06-12. Archived from the original on 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  5. "Water ice: What it is, what it isn't, how to say it and where to get it". pennlive. 2018-07-20. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  6. Von Bergen, Jane M. (23 May 2015). "What water ice teaches us about the world". Philly.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  7. Beans, Carolyn (2016-08-10). "Water Ice, Philly's Classic Summer Cooler, Gets Hot Across The Country". NPR. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  8. Simeti, Mary Taylor (2007-05-01). "At the Prince's Table: Food in The Leopard". Gastronomica. 7 (2): 64–70. doi:10.1525/gfc.2007.7.2.64. ISSN 1529-3262. Archived from the original on 2022-12-02. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  9. "Choice Reviews | Login". choicereviews.org. doi:10.5860/choice.38-4203. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  10. Davidson, Alan (2014-11-20). Jaine, Tom (ed.). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780199677337.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-967733-7. Archived from the original on 2020-01-10. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  11. "Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value". www.fns.usda.gov. Appendix B of 7 CFR Part 210. Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
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