Halo-Halo: A Symphony of Sweetness and Surprise
Halo-Halo is a delightful Filipino dessert that’s as vibrant as it is delicious. It’s a colorful medley of textures and flavors, featuring shaved ice, evaporated milk, and an assortment of sweet toppings. This refreshing treat is a staple during hot summer days and a symbol of Filipino culinary creativity.
15min Prep
INGREDIENTS
- Shaved Ice
- Evaporated Milk
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Leche Flan (Custard)
- Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)
- Kaong (Sugar Palm Fruit)
- Nata de Coco (Coconut Gel)
- Sweetened Beans (Red Mung Bean or Kidney Beans)
- Sweetened Jackfruit (Langka)
- Pinipig (Toasted Rice Crispies)
- Macapuno (Sweetened Coconut Sport)
- Sago (Tapioca Pearls)
- Ube Ice Cream (Optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Layer the Toppings: In a tall glass or bowl, start by layering your chosen ingredients. Common order is: beans, nata de coco, kaong, macapuno, jackfruit, sago, and pinipig.
- Add Leche Flan and Ube Halaya: Gently place a slice of leche flan and a spoonful of ube halaya on top of the other ingredients.
- Top with Ice and Milk: Fill the glass with shaved ice. Drizzle with evaporated and condensed milk.
- Optional Scoop: Top with a scoop of ube ice cream for an extra treat!
The Story of Halo-Halo:
Halo-Halo’s origins are unclear, but it’s believed to have evolved from a simple shaved ice dessert introduced by Japanese immigrants during the pre-war era. Filipinos then added local ingredients like beans, fruits, and leche flan, creating the vibrant and unique dessert we know today.
The word “halo-halo” means “mix-mix” in Tagalog, referring to the act of mixing all the ingredients together before enjoying. This playful mix of textures and flavors, from the creamy leche flan to the chewy sago and the crunchy pinipig, is what makes halo-halo a beloved Filipino treat.
