Halo-halo

Halo-halo is a popular Filipino dessert that is a mix of crushed ice and evaporated milk to which various ingredients are added, including boiled sweet beans, coconut, sago, gulaman (agar jelly), tubers, fruits, and flan. The name Halo-halo is derived from the Tagalog word halò, which means "mix".

History

The origins of Halo-halo can be traced back to pre-war Philippines, where it was influenced by the Japanese dessert called Kakigōri. The dessert was adapted to include locally available ingredients and suit the tropical climate of the Philippines.

Ingredients

The ingredients of Halo-halo vary greatly, but the dessert typically includes the following:

• Sweet potatoes (kamote)
• Plantains caramelized in sugar (minatamis na saging)
• Jackfruits (langka)
• Agar jelly (gulaman)
• Tapioca pearls (sago)
• Nata de coco
• Leche flan (caramel custard)
• Purple yam (ube)
• Cereal flakes
• Evaporated milk

Preparation

The ingredients are layered in a tall glass, with the fruits and other sweet components at the bottom, followed by the shaved ice, and finally topped with leche flan, purple yam, and a scoop of ice cream. The dessert is served with a long spoon, allowing the consumer to mix all the ingredients together (halo-halo), hence the name.

Cultural significance

Halo-halo is often served in restaurants and by street vendors, especially during the summer months when the weather is hot. It is also a popular dessert for festivals and celebrations. The colorful layers of the dessert represent the diversity and vibrancy of Filipino culture.

Variations

There are many regional variations of Halo-halo, each using different mixtures of ingredients. Some popular variations include the following:

• Binignit - A Visayan version of Halo-halo that uses root crops and fruits cooked in coconut milk.
• Ginataan - A similar dessert that is served warm and uses coconut milk instead of evaporated milk.
• Mais con Yelo - A simpler version that uses only sweet corn and shaved ice.

See also

• Filipino cuisine
• List of desserts
• List of Philippine desserts