Shaved Ice (剉冰 - Cuàbīng) - Taiwan's Ultimate Icy Delight

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Shaved Ice (剉冰 - Cuàbīng) - Taiwan's Ultimate Icy Delight

Cuàbīng, or Taiwanese Shaved Ice, is the quintessential cool-down treat, especially popular during hot and humid summers. Far beyond a simple snow cone, Taiwanese shaved ice is a mountain of finely shaved ice (fluffier than crushed ice), generously piled with an array of vibrant, colorful, and deliciously sweet toppings. From fresh fruits like mango and strawberries to various beans, jellies, chewy taro balls, and condensed milk, the combinations are endless and truly customizable. It's a refreshing, textural, and visually stunning dessert that's perfect for sharing.

Preparation Time: 20-30 minutes (for preparing toppings)

Cooking Time: 0 minutes (if toppings are pre-made) / Varies (if cooking beans/taro balls)

Total Time: 20-30 minutes (if toppings are pre-made) + any cooking time for desired toppings.

Difficulty: Easy (assembling) to Medium (preparing complex toppings from scratch)

Serve: 2

 

INGREDIENTS

For the Ice

ü  4-6 cups Ice Cubes (冰塊) - for a food processor/blender

    • Alternatively, if you have a proper shaved ice machine, you'll need a block of ice specifically for that machine.

For the Sweetener

ü  1/4 - 1/2 cup Condensed Milk (煉乳) OR Simple Syrup (糖水 - see note below)

    • Simple Syrup: 1 part sugar, 1 part water, simmer until sugar dissolves, cool.

For the Toppings (Choose a variety from below - 4-6 types per serving is common):

  • Fruits

ü  1 ripe Mango (芒果), cubed.

ü  1/2 cup Strawberries (草莓), sliced.

ü  1/2 cup Lychee (荔枝), fresh or canned, drained.

ü  1/2 cup Watermelon (西瓜), cubed.

  • Beans & Grains (often pre-cooked, or can be made from scratch):

ü  1/2 cup Cooked Red Beans (紅豆 - Hóngdòu), sweetened.

ü  1/2 cup Cooked Mung Beans (綠豆 - Lǜdòu), sweetened.

ü  1/2 cup Cooked Job's Tears (薏仁 - Yìrén), sweetened.

  • Jellies & Chewy Bits:

ü  1/2 cup Grass Jelly (仙草 - Xiāncǎo), cubed.

ü  1/2 cup Aiyu Jelly (愛玉 - Àiyù), cubed.

ü  1/2 cup Tapioca Pearls (珍珠 - Zhēnzhū) or Mini Boba, cooked (similar to bubble tea pearls)

ü  1/2 cup Taro Balls (芋圓 - Yùyuán) or Sweet Potato Balls (地瓜圓), cooked (chewy, mochi-like)

  • Other:

ü  1-2 scoops Ice Cream (冰淇淋) (e.g., vanilla, green tea, taro)

ü  Chocolate Syrup, Honey, or other drizzles

Tools & Equipment

  • Blender or Food Processor (with ice crushing function) OR Shaved Ice Machine
  • Large serving bowls
  • Small bowls or containers for prepared toppings
  • A ladle or spoon for serving ice.
  • Spoons for eating

INSTRUCTIONS

Part 1: Prepare Your Toppings (Varies based on choice)

  1. Sweetened Beans/Grains: If using dried beans/Job's Tears, you will need to soak them overnight, then cook them until tender (e.g., in a pressure cooker or on the stovetop). Once cooked, sweeten them with sugar to taste while still warm. Cool completely. (This can be done in advance.)
  2. Taro/Sweet Potato Balls: If making from scratch, this involves steaming/boiling taro/sweet potato, mashing it, mixing with tapioca flour, forming balls, and then boiling them until cooked. (Pre-made frozen options are available in Asian markets and simply require boiling.)
  3. Jellies: Grass Jelly and Aiyu Jelly are typically bought pre-made in blocks or cups from Asian supermarkets. Simply cut them into cubes.
  4. Fruit: Wash, peel, and cut fresh fruit into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Boba/Tapioca Pearls: Cook according to package instructions (usually boil for 15-20 minutes, then soak in hot water, then rinse and soak in sugar syrup).

Part 2: Prepare the Shaved Ice

  1. Using a Blender/Food Processor: Place ice cubes into your blender or food processor. Pulse repeatedly, scraping down the sides as needed, until you achieve a fine, snowy texture. Aim for fluffy "snow" rather than chunky crushed ice. You may need to do this in batches.
  2. Using a Shaved Ice Machine: Follow your machine's instructions to shave a block of ice into fine, fluffy snow.

Part 3: Assemble the Shaved Ice

  1. In a large serving bowl (or two individual bowls), pile a generous mountain of the freshly shaved ice.
  2. Arrange Toppings: Artfully arrange your chosen prepared toppings around and on top of the ice mountain. Try to create a visually appealing display with different colors and textures.
  3. Sweeten: Drizzle generously with condensed milk or simple syrup over the entire creation.
  4. Serve Immediately: Serve with a spoon and enjoy yourself before it melts! Encourage everyone to dig in and mix their favorite toppings with the icy base.

Macros (Estimated per serving, highly variable based on toppings and sweetness)

v  Calories: 300-600 kcal

v  Protein: 5-15g

v  Carbohydrates: 60-120g (primarily from sugar, fruits, beans, pearls)

v  Fat: 5-20g (from condensed milk, ice cream, optional additions)

v  Sodium: Low

Tips and Variations

  • Ice Quality: The finer and fluffier the ice, the better the Cuàbīng. A dedicated shaved ice machine will give the best results.
  • Sweetness Levels: Adjust the amount of condensed milk or simple syrup to your taste. Some people prefer less sweet, letting the natural sweetness of the fruit shine.
  • Customization: The beauty of shaved ice is in its endless customization. Encourage diners to choose their own toppings.
  • Hot & Cold Contrast: The experience of cold ice with warm, sometimes slightly chewy toppings (like freshly cooked taro balls or warm sweetened beans) is a hallmark of Taiwanese shaved ice.
  • Mango Shaved Ice (芒果冰): This is a famous variation, especially popular in Taiwan. It features a large pile of shaved ice, loaded exclusively with fresh mango cubes, a drizzle of condensed milk, and often a scoop of mango ice cream or sorbet.
  • "Eight Treasure" Shaved Ice (八寶冰): A classic variety that includes at least eight different toppings, often a mix of sweetened beans, chewy mochi, and jellies.
  • Aiyu Jelly with Lemon and Honey (檸檬愛玉): A simpler, refreshing shaved ice option, often just with shaved ice, aiyu jelly, fresh lemon juice, and honey.
  • Prepare Ahead: Most toppings (cooked beans, jellies, simple syrup) can be prepared a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator, making assembly quick and easy.

FAQ

Q1- How do I get truly fluffy shaved ice without a special machine? 

A1: While a dedicated shaved ice machine is best, a powerful blender or food processor with a good "ice crush" function can get close. Use smaller batches of ice and pulse rather than blend continuously. For an even finer texture, some people freeze large blocks of ice (e.g., in a freezer bag or plastic container) and then use a sharp knife or grater to shave/scrape it, but this requires more effort.

Q2- What is the difference between crushed ice and shaved ice? 

A2: Crushed ice is typically made by breaking down ice cubes into rough, irregular pieces, resulting in a somewhat crunchy texture. Shaved ice, on the other hand, is made by finely shaving a block of ice, creating a delicate, fluffy, snow-like texture that melts smoothly in your mouth and absorbs syrups better.

Q3- Where can I find some of these unique toppings, like Aiyu Jelly or Taro Balls? 

A3: Most well-stocked Asian supermarkets will carry these items, especially in their refrigerated or frozen sections. Dried beans are usually found in the dry goods aisle.

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