If you've ever spent a summer in Louisiana, chances are you've watched locals making their way to a brightly colored shack to purchase a sweet, cold Snoball. If you're a visitor from out of state, you may want to correct them and use 'snowball,' but to Louisianans, snoballs are a frozen dessert and something more—something that's part of our heritage and history.
The History of the Snoball
'Snoball' was born in New Orleans in the early 1930s. When George Ortolano invented the first electric ice-shaving machine, he transformed the way ice-based desserts were made. Unlike chunked, crushed ice widely used everywhere else, Ortolano's machine shaved fluffy, snow-like ice. Such a texture required a new name, and thus the snoball was born.
A Cultural Staple
In Louisiana, snoballs are not just a way to cool off—they're an experience. Families stand in line at neighborhood stands to indulge in the wide range of flavors, from classic spearmint to more adventurous concoctions like nectar cream. The name itself speaks of something more than a dessert; it speaks of a tradition passed down through generations.
Why Not 'Snowball'?
In short, a snoball is quite different from a snowball. In other parts of the world, snowballs usually consist of chunky, crunchy ice. That's totally not the case for Louisiana snoballs. There, soft, shaved-up ice is what absorbs the syrup to create this melt-in-your-mouth treat. Rebranding the name would essentially be renaming the nature of the treat itself.
A Tradition That Sticks
Even as fads come and go, snoballs remain a beloved part of Louisiana cuisine. Whether it is a sweltering summer afternoon in New Orleans or a family gathering in Lafayette, snoballs bring us together. At Jolie & Jax Boutique, we feel firmly rooted in our culture is as important as being trendy. That is why we celebrate what sets Louisiana apart—how we talk about our beloved frozen treat, for starters!
The next time you drive by a snoball stand, don't simply pull over for a cold treat—stop and appreciate the history and tradition surrounding that plain, shaved ice. It's not a snowball. It's a snoball, and it's one of the things that make Louisiana great.
