Piragua
A cone of hand shaved ice topped with fruit syrup, sold from brightly painted carts in plazas and at beaches. In Puerto Rico the ice is shaved off a block rather than crushed, so it holds together. It costs a few dollars and the classic flavors are tamarind, raspberry, cream and coconut.
Example
The piragüero in the plaza shaves the block in front of you and pours the syrup after, in that order and not the other way round.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as a Mexican raspado?
Same idea. The ice texture and the syrups differ, and here they lean to tamarind, coconut and cream.
Where do I find a cart?
In town plazas, at beach entrances and near schools in the afternoon.
