Crushed ice makes your drinks cooler and more refreshing. But have you ever tried chewy ice? It usually gives a satisfying taste, especially in the scorching heat of sunlight in the summer season.
Many people use crushed ice over cubes for smoothies, cocktails, and other beverages. There is one more option, i.e., chewable ice, also called nugget ice or Sonic ice. Chewable ice gives a satisfying crunch without hurting your teeth. It keeps you hydrated and helps relieve stress. This is why a lot of people develop an ice chewing habit once they have a taste of a sonic ice.
What’s the Best Chewy Ice?
Chewable ice or nuggets are softer and smaller than ice cubes. And as the name suggests, they are easier to chew. You can also make your soft ice at home using an ice maker.
1. Half-Dice Ice
The half-dice ice is softer than packed dice ice, so it is chewable as well. You can opt for a filtered ice machine because it is a good option for a soft drink. It may also be good for a self-serving like at an office, hotel, or convenience store. The machine is more famous and commonly used in a healthcare setting with a filtered ice dispenser. It offers good cooling benefits and a moderate melt rate. There are many chewable ice makers that you can pick from.
2. The Nugget Ice
Eating ice has never been better with nuggets. The Nugget ice is most people’s favorite as it is easy to chew. The ice shape is cylindrical and easy to blend. The ice is a good pick if you want to make frozen or blended drinks. In addition, this ice melts quicker than other ice. Several ice dispensers from popular brands offer chewable ice. You can use a chewy ice maker if you crave ice on a hot summer’s day.
3. The Dice Ice
It is the most common ice, similar to an old-fashioned ice tray. But if you want in larger quantity, you will need a filter machine. It has a high water ratio for ice-making and is suitable for maintaining the freshness of beverages and keeping things cold.
You can use the ice in soft drinks or iced coffee since the dice take a longer time to melt. Hence it is a cost-saving option since it has a slow melt rate.
4. The Flake/Shaved Ice
Flake ice comes in particular sizes and has two main varieties: scale ice and granular ice. It is the best option to use in frozen desserts or blended drinks. Moreover, the texture is softer and easy to chew.
The use of flake ice is also widespread in the food industry. It comes in the form of soft and trim pieces and is helpful to retain the freshness of drinks and keep vegetables and fruits cool.
5. The Tulip Ice
The tulip ice takes the shape of tubular. The ice is hollow in the middle and looks like a cylinder. It is the best option for blended cocktails and mixed drinks. Additionally, you can find this type of ice in self-serve dispensers and commercial ice makers.
6. The Half Moon/ Crescent Ice
The half-moon ice has a unique design. It can float through the glass with ease and makes the beverage cool enough. You can use the ice in soft drinks, bagging, dispensing, and mixed drinks. The ice has a slow melt rate. Nugget ice drifts in your drink. It can take a longer time than crushed ice to melt. It is incredibly pleasing to chew.
Benefits of Using Chewy Ice
- You can find chewable ice makers or nugget ice machines in various facilities, from restaurants to physical therapy clinics and facilities.
- This type of ice is chewable, soft, and refreshing.
- You can use it to cool your beverages and even for injuries
- Nuggets have the ability to retain the flavor of your drinks
- It is the best choice for your smoothies and blended cocktails, as the ice quickly breaks down, making the process efficient.
- You can use chewy ice to keep vegetables crisp for a long time. That’s the reason restaurants keep a nugget machine near salad bars. You can also have one at your home.
- Chewing ice can also help people with iron deficiency anemia. Some studies show that compulsive ice chewing can increase the focus of those with anemia.
Bottom Line
You can use a chewable ice maker to get the best chewy ice at home. However, excessive ice chewing may be linked to chipped teeth, tooth decay, and damaged tooth enamel. However, there are not enough researches to support the claim. But chewing ice is fun. So, enjoy the nugget ice in your drinks, smoothies, or just chew it if you like.