Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judges for the parish of Clarendon, Kurt and Ezmien Chin, cool us down with an all-natural Jamaican brown sugar-sweetened snow cone

With summer fast approaching it’s always nice to have someone around to provide a refreshing way to beat the heat. We have exactly that here in May Pen. Rohan Myrie, who hails all the way from St Thomas, came to May Pen to sell snow cones at the annual Independence weekend Denbigh Agricultural Show. He liked it so much in May Pen that he decided to stay. And we’re all glad that he did. He has become a permanent fixture by the clock on Main Street in the heart of the town. He loads his van with all the essentials for making snow cones and takes up his usual spot right by the clock. He puts his specially shaped ice blocks in a contraption and begins to shave away. The machine looks like nothing you’ve seen before and, frankly, you can’t see much of it as most of it is hidden behind a wrapper of sorts. Some things are best kept a secret I suppose. His “ice shaver” isn’t the only secret he has either. The syrups he uses are a highly guarded secret. The only part of the recipe he divulged is that it is made with all-natural Jamaican brown sugar, contains no preservatives and that it has to be kept frozen or chilled for use. However, he comes by these syrups or however he makes them is something well worth keeping a secret because they are absolutely divine.

I have to admit that when I first came across this snow cone I was not expecting much. I thought to myself this will be just what I need for sure as it will help with all this heat but just another typical snow cone. Boy, was I wrong. At first glance I thought it was going to be grainy with chunks of ice but to my surprise it was quite the opposite. The ice was smooth and fluffy. It was like eating a frozen cloud… If you can imagine what eating a cloud would be like. So smooth and light it literally melts right in your mouth. And the syrups that are poured all over the top… amazing! Not sweet but very flavourful, brightly coloured and smells good too. When you think of it, it is actually like a rainbow cloud that dissolves right in your mouth to cool you down on a hot day. He and his staff are very friendly and are usually at their regular spot Mondays to Saturdays unless they have previous arrangements at another venue. They do quite a lot of events and shows but there is still usually someone by the clock selling snow cones to their loyal customers. There is a variety of flavours to try. Their most popular with adults is the rum-flavoured syrup. But don’t worry, the alcohol is not overly strong in the syrup; as a matter of fact, you hardly taste it. If you’re not into alcohol there are plenty of other syrups available. They also have new syrups that they try out every now and then so options are not lacking. Be sure to check them out for a refreshing snow cone when you’re in May Pen. It’s not hard to miss. Just look for scores of people eating snow cones and you’re there. Or you can call him at 505-0779 or 793-5555 to book events.