Italian ice
 Lime-flavoured Italian ice | |
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Main ingredients | Water, fruit (concentrate, juice, orpurée) |
Italian iceis a semi-frozensweetened treat composed of finely granulated ice and fruit concentrates, juices, orpurées,or other natural or artificial food flavorings.[1][2] Italian ice is derived fromItaliangranitaand is in many ways similar tosorbetandsnow cones,but differs from American-stylesherbetin that it does not containdairyoreggingredients.[1]The ingredients in Italian ice are mixed, then whipped during the freezing process similar to the process for making ice cream. As a group, Italian ice comes in a variety of consistencies from crunchy, to smooth, to slushy.[3]InPhiladelphiaand theDelaware Valley(or the Philadelphia metropolitan area), includingSouth Jerseyand northernDelaware,Italian ice is known aswater ice.
Italian ice was introduced to the United States by poorItalian immigrantsand is derived from theSiciliangranita,a similar and related Italian dessert, with Italian immigrants often selling this treat in the streets of cities such asNew York Cityand Philadelphia and thus popularizing the treat in these cities.[4]Traditionallylemonflavored, popular modern choices includecherry,strawberry,and other fruits and confections.[5]
History
[edit]The Italian wordsorbettoand Englishsherbetcome from fruit syrups sweetened with honey or palm sugar that the Arabs used to drink diluted with water.[6]
In Italy, Italian ice orgranitaseems 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 palate restorer in a multi-course meal.[7]
Italian ice or granita was introduced to the United States with the arrival of poor Italian immigrants fromSouthern Italy.These immigrants and their descendants began selling granita inItalian neighborhoodsand in the streets of American cities, resulting in the related but slightly different Italian-American dessert now known as “Italian ice” (or “water ice” in the Philadelphia area).
Water ice
[edit]
Finely granulated flavored ice of Italian immigrant origin is instead commonly referred to and sold aswater iceby residents and natives ofPhiladelphiaand thePhiladelphia metropolitan area,includingSouth Jersey.[8]Water ice is almost identical to Italian ice, as it is similarly derived from granita brought to the Philadelphia area by Italian immigrants in 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."[9]
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 frozendessertssold in the city by virtue of commercial chains such asRita's Water Ice.[10]
See also
[edit]
- 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
[edit]- ^abU.S. Food and Drug Administration,CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21Archived2020-02-04 at theWayback Machine.Accessed 9 June 2011.
- ^"What's in the Ice Cream Aisle?Archived2018-05-04 at theWayback Machine".International Dairy Foods Association. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
- ^"What is Italian Ice?".italianice.Retrieved2024-04-08.
- ^Bienenstock, David (August 20, 2015)."The Best Italian Ice Is Frozen in Time".Munchies.Vice Media.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-07-18.Retrieved2016-07-23.
- ^"Top 10 Italian Ice Flavors".K 104.7. 2018-06-12.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-06-14.Retrieved2022-06-02.
- ^"Choice Reviews | Login".choicereviews.org.doi:10.5860/choice.38-4203.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-12-10.Retrieved2022-12-02.
- ^Davidson, Alan (2014-11-20). Jaine, Tom (ed.).The Oxford Companion to Food.Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/acref/9780199677337.001.0001.ISBN978-0-19-967733-7.Archivedfrom the original on 2020-01-10.Retrieved2022-12-02.
- ^"Water ice: What it is, what it isn't, how to say it and where to get it".pennlive.2018-07-20.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-05-24.Retrieved2022-05-25.
- ^Von Bergen, Jane M. (23 May 2015)."What water ice teaches us about the world".Philly.Archivedfrom the original on 18 July 2019.Retrieved14 July2016.
- ^Beans, Carolyn (2016-08-10)."Water Ice, Philly's Classic Summer Cooler, Gets Hot Across The Country".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-05-24.Retrieved2022-05-25.
External links
[edit]
Media related toItalian iceat Wikimedia Commons