Did you know that the biggest ice ball factory in the world is in Belgium?

Summers are getting hotter in Belgium, and it’s important to stay hydrated. Lucky for us, the world’s biggest ice ball factory is located in West Flanders.

We’ve all made ice cubes at home, for a delicious iced coffee or an extra refreshing glass of water, but perfectly shaped ice balls? That’s a whole other ballgame. A company based in Waregem, a Belgian city not too far from the coast, has it down to an art. Hundreds of millions of ice balls get produced there every year and they’re distributed to every corner of the world, as far away as Australia. So if you’re sipping on a gin and tonic in an exotic cocktail bar, chances are there’s more than a splash of Belgium in your glass.

The company, 528 Productions, uses a special top-down freezing process that yields crystal clear balls with a high density and a slow melting time. They were on thin ice for a few years, but the current 26-year-old CEO managed to get the ball rolling and brought 528 to a point where they dominate the ice ball market.

Doesn’t that make you want a nice, refreshing drink?