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La Piragua is a Puerto Rican frozen delight, refreshing and full of flavor. It's made of shaved ice and topped with fruit-flavored syrup. The canoe in Puerto Rico is shaped like a pyramid. The origin of the word Piragua is derived from the combination of the words pyre which comes from pyramid and water, which refers to the water ice from which it is made. 

In Puerto Rico the 'Piragüeros' sell the Piraguas in a colorful wooden cart. Many of the carts are covered with an umbrella or parasol. It is unlikely that you will find Piragüeros in a permanent stand or kiosk. 

You can find the Piragua cart in any place and town. However, the preferred place for the Piragüeros is near the town square. The Piraguas are sold throughout the year. Although, most of the Piragüeros go out on very hot and sunny days.

The Piraguas are part of the town festivities, birthdays, weddings, quinceañeros, baby showers, gender reveal, company activities, bachelor parties, among many other activities. This frozen delight is so popular in Puerto Rico that you can also find toy cars made of wood and painted multicolored.

The most common flavors used in Piraguas are: sesame, anise, cherry, china (sweet orange), coconut, cream, raspberry, strawberry, lemon, melao, melon (watermelon), passion fruit, pineapple, soursop, acerola, blueberries, tamarind and grape. 

How canoes are made

El Piragüero makes it with ice shavings that he scrapes with a 'brush' from a block of solid ice. This ice block is inside your cart. Then place the shaved ice in an inverted paper cone. Using a funnel-shaped mold gives it the distinctive pyramid shape. Finally, pour the syrup of the desired flavor. The Piragua is now ready to sip through a small straw or start eating the ice immediately.

Artisanal canoes

Artisanal Piraguas in Puerto Rico are made using the pulp of the fruit instead of fruit-flavored syrup. The Piragüeros buy the fruit pulp, blend it and, if necessary, strain it. Another novelty of the artisanal Piraguas is that some Piragüeros add liquor. In this version, the most popular flavors are strawberry with tequila and coconut with whiskey. 

Historical data of the Puerto Rican Piragua

According to the book Holding Aloft the Banner of Ethiopia by Winston James published in 1998, Puerto Ricans introduced Piraguas to New York in 1926. In his book, James describes the presence of Piragua carts during the Harlem riots against Puerto Rican immigrants in July 1926. This event is a reflection of how migrant cultures introduce gastronomic traditions in new environments, thus enriching the customs of the place. 

When you visit us, look for the canoe cart and enjoy our frozen delight. Here is a video of the “Piragüero from Yauco, Puerto Rico”.

Foto: Doctor Rex

Carmen M. Pérez Velázquez