ICE.

Clear. Cubed. Crushed. Clean. Chilled! and well for the sake of this blog, maybe a little controversial as ice in itself isn’t considered an ingredient by many people. Although if you ask any person who makes drinks for a living ( neighbourhood friendly bartender ), he/she will say its a food for the drink ! & that’s a food for thought!

Ice is something which doesn’t only cool down the temperature of the beverage but also adds to the flavor of the same as well. Take for example – If you have a shot of whiskey with or without ice, which one would be “chugg-able”! Also, leave that drink for a while and once the ice melts, in case the same wasn’t good it will definitely ruin your drink as well!

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OK! so there are a lot of types of ice. Some are edible others are not, but the fact that the number of types of ice there are is a lot. A few of them being as:

• EDIBLE ICE
  • Dice shaped
  • Regular Dice shpaed
  • Half dice shaped ( most commonly used )
  • Gourmet’s ( the bullet shaped ones )
  • Nugget shaped
  • Flakes
  • Flavored Ice
• NON EDIBLE ICE
  • Dry Ice

Ice plays a very important role in both beverages as well as the food we eat, while at times it is just taken as a meduim to lower the temperature of any of the both, one has to admit as a inclusion it is something it does change the whole final experience of the dish or drink.

Lets begin with the Non Edible kind …

Although not consumed per se, but non edible ice or dry ice are a source of keeping many things in their chilled/frozen form and that is what makes it a great ” ICE ” variant. Dry ice has the capability of storing frozen food at sub zero temperature for a good amount of time even if it is surrounded by a small amount of Dry Ice.

Dry Ice is formed by cooling down the CO₂ or carbon di oxide gas at -56.4°c or at -69°f at atmospheric pressures below 5.13. This results in sublimation, which means that the gas turns in to solid without ever becoming a liquid or the other way around.

Dry ice is used as a medium to store things which need a cold envirnment to be stored in. But apart from this it is also used for its ability to provide visual cold smoke or fog in the culinary world as well.

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Let’s Talk Edible Ice!

Edible ice comes in many shapes and sizes as, however the fact that it is just plain ice limits its use to chilling the beverage only. Apart from the usual “ICE”, one can always use the same as flavored ice in many forms such as popsicles, granita’s and Flavor ice which comes in a small tube.

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But!! The most important form of ice, which is also the most commonly used as well is just plain ice. However, it is available in many shapes and sizes. Each size is prefered for different kind of drink or even a different use.

Dice Shaped ICE

7/8″ x 7/8″ x 7/8″ inches ( 2.22 x 2.22 x 2.22 in cms.) in dimension, this ice is availalbe in a rhombiod shape more close to a cube then a cubiod and you can easilybag 48 cubes per pound. Dice shaped ice are used to cool down mocktails or any stirred drinks that are served in a small yet deep glass.

Half Dice ICE

3/8″ x 1-1/8″ x 7/8″ inches ( 0.95 x 2.86 x 2.22 in cms.) in dimension , this is the exact half of a dice shape ice and looks more like a cubiod than a cube. While this shape will allow you to have 96 cubes per pound of ice, it is the best ice for any long drink and the go to choice for any burger, pizza, or quick service restaurant chain.

Regular ICE

1-1/8″ x 1-1/8″ x 7/8″inches (2.86 x 2.86 x 2.22 in cms.) in dimension. Hard, clear ice cube with unique “rhomboid” , 32 cubes per pound of ice, maximum. These are used as same as the dice but are a little bit more larger in size. Can be used in all mixed drinks which are to be served in a deep glass with a wide mouth.

Gourmet ICE

Hard, clear individual cube with unique octagon shape 1-3/8” x 1-3/8” (3.49 x 3.49 cm), maximum cooling and the perfect choice for a bar for all your straight up drinks.

Nugget ICE

Perfect for chewing and blended beverages while dry enough (90% ice to water ratio) to be dispensed. 3/8” to 1/2” (0.95 to 1.27 cm) in width and length. Nuggets are chewable ice and are used in many take away drinks as well

Flake ICE

Small, soft pieces of ice with a 73% ice to water ratio. Ideal for food, presentation, and preservation as well as hand scooping into drinks.

Crushed ICE

Dice or half dice cubes crushed into small pieces using a machine ice crusher.

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Some recipes of the ingredient at avaialable on our “Recipes” Page . Head on over to savour the flavor of the same.
Also, let us know if you would like any ingredient you want us to feature on the blog so we can spread the word. And as always
Let’s Take Ingredients ONE At A Time

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