What is "baobing"

Baobing , also known by its Taiwanese Hokkien name , is a Chinese shave ice dessert very common in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It is especially popular during the summer. Baobing was eaten in China as early as the seventh century AD.

To create the dessert, a large mound of ice shavings are first placed on a plate. In the past, ice shavings were created by hand, either by using a large mallet to crush ice into fine pieces, using a large freehand blade to shave off ice, or turning a hand-cranked machine to do the same. In modern times, a special machine is used, resulting in ice-shavings that are much finer and thinner than those in the past. Some establishments may still produce their ice by hand, and thus the texture varies. A variety of toppings are then added. Traditionally, sugarcane juice or syrup was added to give it a mildly sweet taste, like that of drinking sugarcane juice with ice cubes, but other options include various kinds of syrups or condensed milk, or both. Examples of toppings include fruit, taro, azuki beans, mung beans, sweet potato chunks, peanuts, almond junket, and grass jelly. Various pre-set combinations exist, but customers can often choose individual toppings as they desire.

Baobing is similar to other desserts such as Japanese kakigōri, Filipino halo halo, Korean patbingsu, Malaysian ice kacang, and Italian ice, grattachecca or granita.