There isn’t much that San Franciscans love more than quirky desserts with an international cult following, and the latest sweet treat to drop in the Bay is no exception. Powder Shaved Snow, which just opened on Divisadero, serves the light, creamy and slightly magical icy delight from Taiwan in a few only-in-SF flavors.

It’s Snowing in San Francisco!
It’s not ice cream, it’s not shaved ice…it’s shaved snow! After one bite, you will know you’ve never tried anything like it before. This creamy, melt-on-your-tongue treat is made by freezing filtered water and Three Twins dairy ice in flavors like strawberry, Blue Bottle Vietnamese coffee and black sesame and then shaving it into thin ribbons the consistency of freshly fallen snow. The generously filled cups look like a serious sugar bomb, but thanks to the infusion of plenty of water and air, this dessert is much lighter than a traditional scoop of ice cream.

Dress Up Your Blizzard
There are a dozen gourmet toppings to dress your dessert, from traditional “glazes” in strawberry, chocolate and milk flavors to flakes of Tcho chocolate, toasted almonds and even mochi chunks. We suggest ordering one of their S’nome Picks—tried and true recipes such as the Valencia (Horchata snow topped with milk glaze, cinnamon sugar, toasted almonds and echo chocolate) or the Bob (Strawberry snow with strawberry glaze, fresh strawberries and sprinkles).

Plan Your Next Snow Day
Hot days combined with a hot new opening (Powder opened the last week in September) resulted in a couple weeks of long lines and sold out flavors. But we imagine as the weather cools, getting your own scoop of snow will be a little less of an adventure. either way, we suggest stopping by earlier in the day (they open at noon) to ensure you get to pick from the full range of flavors. The line moves rather quickly, but it can take up to 10 minutes to get your dessert, as each cup is made to order and the shaving process is far more complicated than your average scoop. The shop in small, so beside one bench that serves as a spot for waiting for your snow, it’s best to find a seat outside on the spacious parklet, where there are tables and chairs and plenty of sunshine. Looking for snow on the go? You can also find them at Off the Grid’s Presidio Picnic

260 Divisadero St.
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: noon-10 p.m., closed Mondays
Online: powdershavedsnow.com

Have you tried shaved snow? Tell us your favorite flavor combo in the comments below!

–Erin Feher

All images by the author

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