The History of Bingsu   

• Bingsu is a popular Korean dessert made with shaved ice and sweet toppings. Its origins date back thousands of years. Around 3000 B.C., people in ancient China collected snow in bowls and added honey and fruit, enjoying the icy treat year-round. The idea of shaved ice desserts reached Korea during the Joseon dynasty. At the time, ice was stored in special icehouses called seobingo, so only the upper class had access. They would shave the ice and top it with fruit. Later, sweetened red beans were added, creating patbingsu, meaning “red bean ice flakes.” During the Korean War, foreign influence introduced new ingredients. Nuts, rice cakes, sweet syrups, and cereals added variety and flavor. Traditional bingsu typically includes shaved ice, red bean paste, tteok (rice cake), and nut powder. Today, the dessert has countless variations, with toppings like fruit, sesame, chocolate, coffee, and even cheesecake. Abi Raymaker For The Junior Times junior/1745287514/1613367831