.jpg) Lime-flavoured Water ice | |
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Main ingredients | Water, fruit (concentrate, juice, or purée) |
Italian ice is a semi-frozen sweetened treat composed of finely granulated ice and fruit concentrates, juices, or purées, or other natural or artificial food flavorings.[1][2] Italian ice is derived from Italian granita and is in many ways similar to sorbet and snow cones, but differs from American-style sherbet in that it does not contain dairy or egg ingredients.[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] In Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley (or the Philadelphia metropolitan area), including South Jersey and northern Delaware, Italian ice is known as water ice.
Italian ice was introduced to the United States by poor Italian immigrants and is derived from the Sicilian granita, a similar and related Italian dessert, with Italian immigrants often selling this treat in the streets of cities such as New York City and Philadelphia and thus popularizing the treat in these cities.[4] Traditionally lemon flavored, popular modern choices include cherry, strawberry, and other fruits and confections.[5]
- ^ a b U.S. Food and Drug Administration, CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Archived 2020-02-04 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 9 June 2011.
- ^ "What's in the Ice Cream Aisle? Archived 2018-05-04 at the Wayback Machine". International Dairy Foods Association. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
- ^ "What is Italian Ice?". italianice.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Bienenstock, David (August 20, 2015). "The Best Italian Ice Is Frozen in Time". Munchies. Vice Media. Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
- ^ "Top 10 Italian Ice Flavors". K 104.7. 2018-06-12. Archived from the original on 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2022-06-02.