What's the Difference Between Shaved Ice and Snow Cones?
Popular in concession stands, summer carts, and outdoor parties, shave ice and snow cones existed long before ice machines were invented. Countries like Italy, the Philippines, and China developed unique flavors and styles of crushed or flaked ice, which evolved into many of today's flavored ice styles. Two of the most popular ice desserts in the United States are shaved ice and snow cones.
What Is Shaved Ice?
In 10th- or 11th-century Japan, an ice treat called Kakigōri became popular with royal families.1 Made by shaving blocks of ice and topping them with syrup, this treat was eventually brought to America through Hawaii, where Japanese immigrants mixed traditional toppings and colorful syrups from local fruit with the soft texture of shaved ice. Shaved ice, known to Hawaiians as shave ice, is made by pushing a block of ice through a machine that produces fine, feathery flakes, which are typically served in a paper cone or a bowl. In Hawaii, shave ice is often served with toppings like beans, condensed milk, and syrup from mangos, papaya, and soursop.
What Are Snow Cones?
Snow cones are more of a classic American dessert believed to be invented in the early 1900s. They consist of coarse, crushed ice and are often served with syrup alone. Snow cones are popular at fairs, amusement parks, and markets because of their compact equipment and simple operation. Mobile food carts make it easy to transport a snow cone businesses.
Shaved Ice vs. Snow Cone Equipment
Shaved ice machines create a texture that feels more like snow, while eating snow cones feels more like chewing on ice. Each texture requires a specific ice grinding machine.
Shaved ice machines shave large blocks of ice to achieve the fine texture it's known for. These machines are usually larger and more expensive than snow cone makers, holding large ice blocks and using powerful motors.
Show cone machines have a simple setup, which provides a chute for receiving ice cubes, a rotating blade that crushes the cubes, and a bin for storing the crushed ice. On some models, the blade angle can be adjusted for a coarser or finer ice size.
Choosing Between Shave Ice and Snow Cones
When deciding whether to purchase a shaved ice or snow cone machine, consider the following factors:
| Factor | Shaved Ice | Snow Cones |
|---|---|---|
| Ice Texture | Smooth; holds flavor well | Crunchy; loses flavor over time |
| Presentation | Often elevated with toppings | Usually served with flavoring alone |
| Operator Skill | Higher skill required | Easy to operate |
| Equipment Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Service Speed | Slower | Faster |
Serve Shaved Ice or Snow Cones with Supplies from KaTom
Offering leading manufacturers like Gold Medal, Paragon, and Winco, KaTom's catalog of snow cone and shaved ice makers enables you to serve snow cones and shaved ice on scale. Many of our offerings prepare 500 pounds of ice per hour for efficient service in high-demand settings. KaTom also sells snow cone supplies, shaved ice syrup, and snow cone syrup. Whether you decide to serve snow cones or shaved ice, shop KaTom to find the machines, syrups, and supplies you need.
References
- The World's Shave Ice Styles, Explained Eater. Accessed June 2025.
