Crushed ice

Crushed ice is frozen water that has been broken into small fragments or crystals, ideal for quickly cooling beverages and culinary preparations. This type of ice is especially useful in recipes that require rapid and even cooling, such as in cocktails, cold desserts, and some preparations of ceviche or marinades.

Crushed ice does not have a specific origin as it is simply processed ice; however, its use became popular with the expansion of refrigeration and ice-crushing machines in the 20th century. It is obtained from solid ice that is crumbled to achieve a granular texture that facilitates its rapid distribution and contact with other ingredients.

Among its properties, its ability to cool rapidly, its ease of adapting to different containers, and its fine texture that allows for more even cooling stand out. Furthermore, it takes up less space than ice cubes, which is practical for portions and presentations.

In different Spanish-speaking countries, crushed ice is also known as ground ice, crushed ice, or simply shaved ice. These synonyms may vary by region but refer to the same product commonly used in cooking and mixology.