History
Growing up in New Orleans, I know a lot about steamy sticky summers. Our greatest treat as children was to run through the sprinklers til we were waterlogged, then wait for the sno-ball man to come through the neighborhood. The crunchy ice and saccharine flavors were the perfect cool ending to a sunburnt kid's palate.
Even though I loved the novelty of snowcones (or sno-balls, as we called them) when I was a kid, I had something better in mind. My mother reminded me how I hated to come home with a purple or orange tongue and I would stare at my face, tongue stuck out, for hours. It was on a trip to Hawaii that I first experienced a new frozen treat. When Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on sugar plantations in the 1880s, they brought with them the tradition of kaki-gori, or sweetened shaved ice. Wow! The finely shaved, snow-like texture was a little bit of heaven on my tongue. So completely different from the crunchy cone of my childhood, where the syrups would pool in the bottom of the cup, making the last few bites a sticky mess.
Every Southern kid remembers the joy of sprinklers in the summer.
After I began cooking professionally, I didn't think too much about sno-balls, snowcones, or shaved ice. But every once in a while, I'd happen upon a shaved ice stand, and remember how light and fluffy the treats were. I was intrigued with the variety of flavors and toppings, including fresh fruit and condensed milk.
When I decided to leave the professional kitchens for something I could do on my own, it occurred to me that maybe a food truck was in my future . I gave a lot of thought to what I wanted to serve. It was really quite happenstance that shaved ice popped into my head. I was at dinner with friends and the hostess served our drinks with edible flowers suspended in ice. It was a gorgeous presentation. I began to muse about natual flavors in shaved ice. My friends encouraged it, and so Snowie Naturals was born.
I wasn't sure I could make it work, as I wanted to have an environmentally sustainable business. With a lot of ingenuity, I made it work. My truck uses solar power when possible (and in Texas, that's a lot of the time!), and I was able to source biodegradable cups and spoons. You really don't need for a straw for a properly made shave ice confection because the flavors are absorbed into the ice and don't end up at the bottom of the cup. Having said that, I know some people prefer a straw. I'm still on the hunt for one that won't fall apart after a few sips - y'all let me know if you see one!
Remember how I said I hated the purple tongue syndrome? I am so happy to tell you that you will not be struck by that dreaded condition! By avoiding artificial colors and flavors, you will simply be free to enjoy a deliciously light and fluffy delight. I take a lot of pride in Snowie Naturals. I hope you can taste the care and consideration I take in creating each individual one. Enjoy!
The inspirational ice that began my Snowie Naturals adventure!