Five Minute Histories: Baltimore Snowballs

[@indeliblyinked]

Egg Custard will always be my favorite but don’t sleep on chocolate. Underrated snowball for sure.

[@sherrysmeal8404]

I also worked at Koldkiss stands in the 90s in Arbutus and Westview. The Gapsis family, who started the company, were such wonderful people. Brian had hired my brother several years before I was old enough to start working, and as soon as I was old enough to get a work permit, he hired me. His mom, Betty, was the sweetest lady - I still remember her phone number by heart. That job taught me the value of balancing hard work and having fun, turned me into a snowball snob (LOL), and to this day remains my favorite of all of the many jobs I’ve held over the years. Even though I consumed more snowballs that most people eat in a lifetime during those long summer days working in the stands, I still love them and there’s nothing that beats a delicious Koldkiss snowball on a hot day!

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Today would be the perfect day for a snowball!

[@jimdevilbiss9125]

My friend and I had a snowball stand on 14th St. in Frederick in the late 50s. We bought a hand shaver and used the cups. We really had a great time.

[@shortliner68]

My earliest recollection of snowballs was when we moved to North Woodington Rd. on the westside of Baltimore. Every summer a family living on North Augusta Ave. set up a stand at the end of their backyard which was across the alley from where we lived. They used to serve snowballs in a boat shaped container similar to how some places serve french fries. My favorites were: 1) Egg Custard; 2) Cherry; 3) Chocolate. Snowballs back then in the 1950s were 10 cents and a dollop of marshmallow on top was an extra 2 cents. Good way to cool off back then when it was rare to have air conditioning in the home.

[@robertrybczynski4107]

I went to Holy Rosary School on Chester Street. There was a snowball stand at a nearby house on Bank Street. You walked in the front access alley between two houses and up to the window. Dennis or his mother, grandmother, or sister would take your order and give you a snowball for 10 cents and later 15 cents. Then you walked out the back gate from their yard, down the back alley, and finished your snowball in your assigned play area. It was great!

[@stangondzar120]

Born in locust point, favorite snowball was vanilla ice cream on bottom cup egg custard flavor ,marshmallow topping ! I can still taste it !! Think my last one was 35 years ago ! It's that good!!

[@DJFish05]

I worked at a Koldkiss snowball stand back in the 90’s. It was my first real job. I was hired by Brian Gapsis, president of Koldkiss Corp. At the time, his base of operations was still his home. His office was filled with boxes and liter bottles of that sweet elixir known as snowball syrup. He had about three snowball stands in the Baltimore co area and kept growing. Now he ships those flavored syrups all over the country. Egg Custard, Mint, and Skylite were always the top sellers. I remember printing out my own signs to promote a red, white, and blue snowball for 4th of July (cherry, clear ice cream flavor, and skylite) Long live the Baltimore snowball tradition!

[@johnmay3266]

I remember seeing sno balls being sold out of basement windows in places like Highlandtown, Pig Town and I'm sure many more. Great show!

[@Bucknloco]

Johns with another banger.. dang I wanna schnowball

[@andrewcaldwell5477]

Spearmint + Chocolate is a godly combination

[@AnnArbaugh-Author]

Ooooo!!!

[@lisaknoll3127]

In Medwick Garth, on the west side, we had Norman, the Snowball Man, who drove around in an old Cloverland Dairy truck that he repainted white and orange. He would ring his ship’s bell (from his tattoos, we believed he was retired Navy), and kids would come running from every direction. It was the highlight of our day. Norman would make the “ball” part of the snowball by half filling the cup with ice, then whacking it once on the metal counter. Having the ball made it last longer on a hot day. He also made his own flavors. Best snowballs ever.

[@astaboy]

Back in the 60's we used to call the skylite flavor, "Batman Blue"

[@gregoryhalpin3440]

I'd have been highly disappointed had I not seen a snowball in your hand in this video. Kudos for going back for a second one!

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Appreciate your support in our double-dipping!

[@EdEdelenbos]

When I was a kid in Medfield Heights, a friends older brother had a stand. It was all hand shaved ice with one of those old fashioned hand scrapers. I helped mix syrups and setup the stand. It never netted me any better than a free snowball. LOL Favorite when a kid... chocolate, lime, or orange. Never did like the marshmallow fluff.

[@kimberlystansberry912]

Coconut was my favorite flavor with marshmallow, but not the marshmallow they use now, but the marshmallow that tastes like marshmallow, like marshmallow fluff in a jar. We used to get our snowballs in my hometown of Dundalk.

[@susanbutler2377]

I always loved chocolate. There was a truck that came around and they would use a tall cup, put chocolate snowball on the bottom, an entire vanilla ice cream dixiecup in the middle and chocolate snowball on the top - delicious! I never tried Egg Custard until I was an adult - couldn't get past the name. Guess what - it's delicious too!

[@dougwagstaff7329]

My mom worked at Kreis Pharmacy at Baltimore and Calhoun Street in West Baltimore the Salvation Army Franklin Square Boy's Club was 2 blocks and I was a member during the Summer when I worked the Summer Camps there we would take the campers there for snowball she worked there for 34 yrs we live at 23 N Calhoun Street then they were great times my mom name was Ms Pat thank you for sharing that story

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Thanks for sharing this great family history!

[@michaelbrand8279]

I used to live in New Orleans, and I've been to Hansen's Sno-Bliz, and it's very old-school, not to mention still being run by The Hansen Family!

[@kalinthomas6675]

Love this history! I just went to Ice Queens in Locust Point and had a "Hurricane" and a "Strawberry Lemonade." Loved them both! Ice Queens is making New Orleans-style snowballs in Baltimore. Look for my story on them in Cuisine Noir magazine in the upcoming weeks.

[@signelauren1312]

1. YES. 2. NO. 3. Cherry and Egg Custard are a tie Johns-- I love all the 5 minute histories--but this one surpasses love. I LOVE that you added your biased opinion, twice. haha. So much fun to watch this one. Baltimore snowballs are IT !!!!

[@niteriderband4713]

Spearmint snowballs with marshmallow topping!!!!! Chocolate with marshmallow topping was good too. These were my all time favorites!!!

[@earlklemm2031]

I believe that the machine used to shave the ice was also invented and manufactured in Baltimore. My favorite flavors are Egg custard and spearmint.

[@michaelbrand8279]

My favorite snowball flavor: green apple.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

We will have to try this one!

[@populisttrope9385]

My-t-fine snowballs on Joppa rd was my jam

[@philiproszak1678]

Can't wait to share this with my students in Japan! It was hard to explain the small differences between the numerous kinds of American ices. I didn't know the history with shipping ice down south. I grew up in Havre De Grace and knew they used to harvest ice from the Susquehanna but never thought about where it went. Kakigori shaved ice is popular here. It's usually more fluffy than a Baltimore snowball. There are kind of two categories of kakigori. The first uses syrups like a Baltimore snow ball and can be found at festivals. You can find red strawberry (with or without sweetened condensed milk) and green melon among a few other flavors. The other kind is more highbrow. It is topped with things like green tea, sweet red bean, black sugar syrup and sometimes pieces of agar jelly.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

So cool! We would love to hear what your students think!

[@thomsteel9545]

When I worked as a paramedic out of harford rd allways enjoyed these snowballs My father in law had a snowball stand kenwood and Dale Ave balto co my favorite flavor was the 5 gal bucket of marshmallow

[@mtcup56]

Oh great now I'm homesick great googly moogly

[@joshuatyler2553]

Love the video

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Thank you!

[@KH6DAN]

In Hawaii it's shave ice (not shaved ice) They will put a scoop of vanilla ice cream under the ice if you want before they squirt on the flavors. But they still don't taste as good as a large egg custard snowball with marshmallow, hon.

[@thadpaul7578]

Thanks for the Koldkiss shout out Johns! Stop by anytime. -Thad from Koldkiss

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

So cool to meet someone from Koldkiss!

[@Binx1364]

Almost died choking on a snowball right there behind Johns' right side - but our go-to snowball stand was Mr. Johnson's on Harford Road.

[@dionnelynn]

Egg custard with marshmallow. I lived in NC and found a snowball place. Ordered my usual and the owner questioned if I was from Baltimore based on my order 😀

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Aww love this!

[@725Kellybean]

There is a stand on Furnace Branch Rd in Glen Burnie and they have the absolute best Old Fashion Egg Custard snoball out there.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Good to know!

[@shimekacottman7327]

My favorite is egg custard.no marshmallow 🤮. I take my kids every Friday to get a shaved ice snowball. Try mixing egg custard watermelon and green apple.

[@Bunkymark]

Instead of a styrofoam cup I prefer a paper one. Melting is part of the process and styrofoam can hinder it and cause an "iceberg" in the center which requires chopping to keep it loose. There was a stand on Harford Road in Parkville across from Texas Ave who offered cooked syrups like in NOLA that were quite good.

[@DrBo1]

I ran a Snowball truck from 1976 to 1979 in Lochern neighborhood and also near Ingleside Ave. Ill try to find a picture.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Cool!

[@johnmcdade6318]

I must admit I am kind of intrigued by Koldkiss's Scooby Do flavor. They sell all of their flavors in a bottle form at the Shoprite on Fredrick...

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Please let us know if you try it!

[@pauloneil8531]

When I was growing up I loved egg custard and skylite. Marshmallow when I could afford it. Unfortunately diabetes's means no more for me. It's also a shame that Styrofoam doesn't degrade.

[@BaltoAmy]

There are sugar-free flavors. I had my annual snow ball a couple of weeks ago. S-F spearmint.

[@pauloneil8531]

@@BaltoAmy Thanks for the information. Now to find a stand that has them.

[@redstaper2414]

What about Homeland Pharmacy on York Road

[@doncrist2012]

Thru 1969 and 1970 I probably spent 200.00 for snowballs earned from lawn mowing- paper route for my girlfriend at Walther stand.

[@kevenpinder7025]

Black Cherry.

[@baltimoreheritage1006]

Delicious!

[@ka3bhy]

I thought Baltimore snowballs were made with crushed ice?

[@tgeee]

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