What is nugget ice, and why do people love it?
It is pressed, not frozen in a mold. That is why it is soft and soaks up flavor.
Nugget ice (also called pellet or soft ice) is made very differently from regular ice.
How it is made
Water freezes into a thin layer on the inside of a cold cylinder. A rotating auger scrapes the flakes off, pushes them upward and squeezes them through a die into small cylinders. Tiny gaps stay between the flakes, which makes the ice soft and porous.
Why people love it
- Easy to chew: soft rather than rock hard.
- Flavor-soaking: the pores draw in the drink, so the last bites taste of it too.
- Fast chilling: small pieces with lots of surface cool a drink quickly.
It is ideal for sparkling drinks, milk tea, juice and anything you want cold fast.
The YH4031 and YH6038 are both nugget ice makers. See the process animated on the Technology page.
