Ice Blocks/Pop Question

[razzleberry]

Hi All :)

I'm assuming that many of you live in the northern hemisphere so I understand chances are you won't be experiencing summer temps but here in NZ we are and I'm in need of some help!

To make a raw fruit ice block how would you suggest I go about it? I saw a picture of a raw grape pop that looked delicious, but surely if I juiced grapes I'd get a watery mixture and not a nice colour?

Any help would be fantastic!

[juliebove]

Hi All :)

I'm assuming that many of you live in the northern hemisphere so I understand chances are you won't be experiencing summer temps but here in NZ we are and I'm in need of some help!

To make a raw fruit ice block how would you suggest I go about it? I saw a picture of a raw grape pop that looked delicious, but surely if I juiced grapes I'd get a watery mixture and not a nice colour?

Any help would be fantastic!

I'm not sure exactly what the question is. Do you want something decorative? Like a big block of ice with fruit in it, like for a punch bowl? If so, you do it in layers. Put in some water or juice and some fruit if you want, then freeze until the top is set, then add another layer, repeating as necessary. If you do it all at once for a large block, you'll find the fruit is floating all around and not necessarily where you want it. But by doing shallow layers you can better control where the fruit is. If you want the fruit to be only on the top and sides, then you'd do the first layer, then position the fruit around the sides, adding another container to keep it in place until it freezes to the point of being stuck to the previously made ice. Then you can add the rest of the liquid.

If it is individual ice pops you want, you can buy mold for those or use paper cups and sticks or spoons in the middle. In this case you have to partially freeze them, then insert the sticks. I've tried layering mine like blueberry juice then apple juice but with the molds it doesn't seem to work well, since you have to put the sticks in right away, at least with the kind I have. The juices just blend together.

[fairygirl]

Hey Razzleberry,

is it really hot down in NZ right now? Do u think it will still be in a month? Im heading down there at the end of this month to work and vacation. Also, where might i buy tropical fruits down there? like young coconuts, papaya, cherimoya, durian, pineapple, etc...

thanks! just trying to figure out what i can eat down there.

[Sheryl]

Ice blocks in Australia too just mean Popsicles... I always wanted to make an ice bowl though!

[razzleberry]

hopefully it'll be warmer in a month or so for you fairygirl. we've had a bit of an average summer with like a week of hot sun then a week later with pretty much rain, rain, rain! but at the moment i'm looking out my window and seeing sunshine!

we do have all those fruits available here for a price of course. make sure you buy them from places like 'the funky pumpkin' or 'raeward fresh' where you will get a better deal as they primarily deal with veges and fruit! hope you like bananas, cause they are really cheap! like 99c a kilo at the moment :)

[fairygirl]

thanks razzleberry!

and which cities are those shops located?

[razzleberry]

no worries! well i live in christchurch, south island. they're all over the place here. and their websites will give u exact locations: http://www.funkyp.co.nz and http://www.raewardfresh.co.nz/ aren't you from canada? it's a pretty long journey you're taking for work!

[fairygirl]

Thanks a bunch! glad to hear they're everywhere. LOL, yeah im from canada. My boyfriend and i are doing a working holiday program :D we're super excited to visit your country!