Raspados: Traditional Mexican Treat
Tara A. Spears
Raspados is the Mexican version of a snow cone/shaved ice treat. Sugary sweet fruit syrups are mixed with ice that is shaved off of a huge block. In Mexico, raspados have existed since the Spanish conquest, although the raspado was already famous since pre-Hispanic times. The raspada as we know them today date from the colonial period. With the passage of time, raspados became a traditional and obligatory treat for those hot afternoons or any time on the beach.
Currently, most raspados are sold by street vendors. These roving sellers carry a block of ice in their cart and many jars with natural fruit juice. To prepare this refreshing snack, a metal utensil is used to grind the ice, which can be described as an iron brush. Once the ice is chopped or grated, your favorite flavor is added. There are strawberry, tamarind, currant and lemon, but you can find syrups of different flavors, some even mixed. The chopped ice is placed in a glass or plastic cup then covered with flavor.
However, there are variants to simple fruit juice flavors. One spicy combination is termed ‘little devil’ and consists of lemon juice, miguelito and chili. But if you prefer something sweeter, you can bathe your raspado with lots of condensed milk and turn it into a ‘little angel’.
Raspados is everything – icy, sweet, fruity, funky – but the real connoisseurs know when to make it creamy by adding canned milk ‘lechera’. An optional topping at most carts, this thick, sugary milk pairs best with the ripe fruit raspados like strawberry, mango and pineapple. The word lechera is actually a brand-name product by Nestle. Many Mexican ice cream shops are happy to whip up a tasty raspado treat made with nieve / ice cream. Now we’re talkin’! The word nieve means a lot of things in different places — it literally translates into snow — but in this context we’re talking a big fat scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Buckle your seatbelts (and loosen your regular belts), we’re now going into uncharted raspados territory: the land of sour raspados. These frosty treats are drenched in the pungent pickled fruit sauce known as Chamoy. The mangoyada is a little different depending on where you go, but it’s usually got a combo of mangos, spicy Mexican candies like the tamarind sticks and sometimes even peanuts. This spicy combination is not for those that favor a mild taste.
For the thousands of families that visit Jaltemba Bay beach, one of the best parts is enjoying a raspado. Many will treasure the memory of the cool treat and sun bouncing off the ocean when they return home. Of course the adults add a splash of wine or tequilla to the fruit juice! Sweet, spicy or spiked- raspados are for everyone!
