Flake ice is a loose definition of a group of ice types with irregular particle sizes. These types can be roughly grouped into two main types: scale ice and granular ice. This can cause confusion as different manufacturers, industries or even geographical areas will say flake ice and mean different things.

Ice cubes typical in bars and in soft drinks in some restaurants. The solid build of this ice type makes it perfect for soda or spirits. This type has a high ice-to-water ratio, which offers maximum cooling and a slower melt, pleasing customers and cutting down on production needs. They’re also great for large-volume applications, including bagging and bulk cooling.

Half-cube ice is considered the most versatile type of ice, which is why it shows up in restaurants, convenience stores, and dispensers. That diversity has made this commercial ice maker the most popular, despite the fact you’re not likely to find it in most bars.

Beyond being chewable, nugget ice is drier than flake ice, so it’s better in dispensers, readily absorbs the flavor of the drink, and blends well in frozen drinks and smoothies.

The individual piece is larger than other types of ice and has nearly a perfect ice-to-water ratio, meaning a beautiful, crystal-clear cube that is extremely effective at cooling beverages.