As temperatures soar in Guangdong during the summer, a refreshing trend has taken over convenience stores: the ice cup. These sealed cups of edible ice, priced higher than bottled water, have become a social media sensation and a go-to solution for beating the heat. But what drives their popularity and premium price tag?
Photo: Nanfang Plus
Why ice cups have become a summer essential
Guangdong's sweltering summer creates an insatiable demand for chilled beverages. While boba tea and coffee shops offer relief, their prices, often exceeding 15 yuan, prove unsustainable for daily consumption. Ice cups, priced between 3 and 6 yuan, emerge as an affordable alternative. When paired with inexpensive drinks like soda, juice, or instant coffee, they create customizable iced beverages averaging 7 yuan, half the cost of premium store-bought options.
Convenience stores have amplified this trend through strategic partnerships. Many outlets offer "combo deals" where purchasing a specified drink or liquor allows customers to add an ice cup for just 1 yuan. This model positions ice cups as complementary goods, essential for enjoying chilled drinks.
Decoding the premium pricing
While ice is simply frozen water, the production of edible ice involves stringent standards that justify its higher cost. Commercial ice cups undergo ultra-low-temperature freezing, resulting in clearer, slower-melting cubes. The manufacturing process requires specialized equipment, with industry data revealing that producing 0.8 tons of ice consumes 2 tons of water due to evaporation and quality control.
Packaging and logistics also contribute to costs. Ice cups are sealed in sterile, food-grade containers to prevent contamination, unlike loose ice sold at markets. They require constant refrigeration during transportation and storage, incurring energy and cold-chain logistics expenses. Additionally, compliance with food safety regulations adds operational overhead.
DIY ice cup recipes to try
Channel the convenience store mixology trend with these simple, refreshing combinations:
Tropical Sunset (Non-alcoholic)
Ingredients: Ice cubes, orange juice, grape soda
Method: Fill the ice cup with orange juice, top with grape soda, and stir gently.
Green Grape Iced Jasmine Tea
Ingredients: Crystal grape ice balls, green tangerine juice, jasmine tea
Method: Fill the ice cup with green tangerine juice and jasmine tea, top with crystal grape ice balls, and stir gently.
Purple Grape Fizz
Ingredients: Ice cubes, crystal grape ice balls, grape juice, sparkling water
Method: Fill the ice cup with grape juice and sparkling water, top with crystal grape ice balls, and stir gently.
Peach Jasmine Fusion
Ingredients: Fresh peach slices, jasmine tea, ice cubes
Method: Mash peach slices in the ice cup, add ice, and pour jasmine tea over the top.
Watermelon Jasmine Tea Cooler
Ingredients: Watermelon chunks, lemon slices, ice cubes
Method: Blend watermelon and lemon in the ice cup, add jasmine tea, and stir with ice.
Author | Jiang Chang
DIY ice cup recipes & photos | Red Note account Haochide Liubuzhu (@好吃的刘不住)
Editor | Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
