Ice cubes

Ice cubes are small solid pieces of frozen water, commonly used in cooking and beverage preparation to cool liquids without excessively diluting them. Their generally cubic shape facilitates handling and even distribution in glasses, pitchers, or containers.

The origin of ice as a method for preserving and cooling food and beverages dates back to ancient civilizations that stored snow and frozen water for culinary and medical uses. Today, ice cubes are produced industrially or at home using special molds and domestic freezers.

In terms of properties, ice cubes are simply water in a solid state, making them odorless, tasteless, and neutral in their chemical composition. Their primary function is to lower the temperature of liquids and food without altering their flavors, also helping to preserve fresh ingredients in preparations like cocktails, salads, or cold desserts.

In Latin American Spanish, ice cubes can also be called "hielitos", "cubitos de hielo", or simply "hielo" when referring to small pieces.