Ice powder is made from brown seeds of Physalis alkekengi, which contains a lot of pectin-as the name suggests, it is a kind of substance that can present a "glue" shape.

Pectin is a long chain composed of galacturonic acid molecules, which is easy to absorb water and dissolve in water. However, pectin dissolved in water needs to be closely intertwined if it wants to become gel.

This requires the formation of hydrogen bonds between polar groups on the molecule. The hydroxyl groups on pectin are not rich, so it is difficult to form strong enough hydrogen bonds to prevent pectin from forming.

Lime water comes in handy at this time. Calcium ions contained in limewater can attract free carboxyl groups. In this way, many pectin chains can rely on calcium ions to form the so-called "egg lattice" structure, which greatly improves the compactness and makes loose pectin solidify together to form the ice powder we eat.

Although ice powder is called ice powder, it doesn't need ice, because it feels very cold to eat, and its shape is like ice powder, more like the translucent feeling of konjac, so it is named ice powder.

In the past, there were two forms of ice powder: stall selling and consignment selling. The seller put the ice powder in the basin, covered it with gauze to prevent dust, and put the brown sugar water in half a crock, a bamboo tube, a dozen large bowls and spoons in the jar. Ice powder is two cents a bowl. When eating, put the ice powder together in a bowl, then add the brown sugar water and put a spoon on it. The entrance of ice powder is slightly sweet, cool, smooth and instant.

Compared with cold drinks such as popsicles and shaved ice, ice powder has its advantages and charm, which is irreplaceable by any cold drink in promoting fluid production and relieving summer heat without hurting the spleen and stomach! Nowadays, ice powder, which is gradually forgotten by people, is repositioned in the market with the concept of health preservation and environmental protection.

Tianfu ice powder is a typical example. The store cooperated with many hot pot restaurants, cold drink stalls and mobile stalls in Chengdu, and gradually pushed Sichuan ice powder to a new peak.

Chengdu Business Daily-Why should lime water be added to ice powder?

Baidu encyclopedia-ice powder