Last summer, we were obsessed with pan con tomate. This summer, we’re trading savoury for sweet with the viral shaved fruit ice trend. Never heard of it? Imagine if granita and sorbet had a baby and that baby took little effort to make. Whether going tropical with mango or Mediterranean with nectarine, we simply can’t get enough of this treat!

Making this dessert only requires three steps: freeze your fruit of choice, grate the fruit in a bowl, and add your toppings.

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The Ultimate Summer Dessert

Inspired by the classic shaved ice, this summer treat is a fantastic dessert to enjoy on sweltering days, especially if you’re craving something sweet yet refreshing. If you haven’t tried it yet, think shaved ice but even better. The beauty of it is that you can make it your own and it’s almost impossible to mess up.

Making this dessert only requires three steps: freeze your fruit of choice, grate the fruit in a bowl, and add your toppings. We love it drizzled with condensed milk or honey; sprinkle with lemon zest or sea salt for a delicious contrast and enjoy! Texture is always great, so if you want, feel free to incorporate fresh fruit, nuts (pistachio, almonds, etc.) and fresh herbs like mint or basil as toppings. Another tip: if you want a finer texture, opt for a microplane instead of a standard box grater for the shaved fruit part.

Shaved fruit ice is similar to bingsu… a popular Korean treat…

Fruits like mango, pineapple, kiwi, strawberry, watermelon, apples and oranges are fantastic. Stone fruits also work well with this trend – try grated frozen peaches, plums and nectarines with a drizzle of honey, topped with fresh basil. For a tropical treat, enjoy grated frozen mango with a touch of condensed milk and top it with fresh mango for a textural delight. You could even add some vanilla ice cream to the mix if you really want to sweeten the deal.

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A Sweet Sensation

While the trend has taken social media by storm, it’s not entirely new. Shaved fruit ice is similar to bingsu or bingsoo, a popular Korean treat often enjoyed in other Asian countries.

TikTok and Instagram content creators have made this sweet treat a viral sensation, and while it might be a passing trend in North America, it’s finally summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so we’re taking full advantage of it.

When First Generation cookbook author Frankie Gaw posted his shaved strawberry ice topped with condensed milk, crushed peanuts, black sesame seeds and fresh mint, everyone got hooked. Pass the Plate cookbook author Carolina Gelen was inspired and made her version, Frozen Peaches and Cream. Content creator Eitan Bernath took the shaved fruit ice trend to creative heights with piña colada, strawberry shortcake, pumpkin spice cake affogato versions – he even made a savoury guacamole-style with shaved avo ice!

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Summer Treats

If you love the shaved fruit ice trend, you’ll love these inspired summer desserts and drinks.

Frozen JOYA Apple Margarita
Frosé Raspberry Granita with Vanilla Ice Cream & Berries

Pineapple and Lemon Granita
Berry Sorbet in Orange Cups

Not sure which fruits are in season? Check our seasonal fruit and veg chart to eat with the seasons. Keep cool with these summer desserts and refreshing cocktails.