Math thinkers: I am dishing ice cream out of a rectangular container.?

Question

I wish to keep the surface area of the remaining ice cream at a minimum to keep it fresh and keep it from getting gummy. I believe the worst method would be to shave a sliver off the top every time. What method would be the best?

Answer 1

if it is possible to sphere it, then do it.
but if not, make it cubic.
otherwise, pour it into another container enough to hold the volume of the ice cream.

Answer 2

I think shaving is the best unless you have 100 containers of increasingly smaller size to put the remainder in.