Blender with crushed ice functionality

A method of processing food items in a blender, the blender comprising a motor, a container for holding items for processing, and a cutter assembly located within the container and operably coupled to the motor whereby the motor effects the movement of the cutter assembly, the method comprising:

• automatically controlling a rotational speed of the cutter assembly to effect a pulsing of the speed of the cutter assembly wherein each pulse comprises:
• (A) operating the cutter assembly in a constant speed phase, where the operating speed of the cutter assembly is maintained at a predetermined operating speed until at least some of the food items are suspended above the cutter assembly;
• (B) reducing the operating speed of the cutter assembly during a deceleration phase, where the speed of the cutter assembly is reduced from the operating speed to a predetermined settling speed to allow at least some of the food items to settle around the cutter assembly, wherein the settling speed is less than the operating speed and greater than zero;
• and
• (C) accelerating the operating speed of the cutter assembly during acceleration phase, where the speed of the cutter assembly is increased from the settling speed to the operating speed until the food items are suspended above the cutter assembly.