Filipinos are well known for their desserts that are usually made rice, coconut and fruits. All of these ingredients are widely spread in the country.
Agriculture is the main source of living for Filiponos, that’s why rice is so popular in that area. Being so abundant, rice is used not only in the main dishes, but also in Filipino desserts. They have desserts that are made with rice flour or sticky rice.
Another popular ingredient for the Filipinos is sugar. They use sugar for everything, that’s how the sweet taste of delicacies is explained. The Filipinos’ love for sugar is explained by their colonial economy back in history when sugar was a key product.
We are glad to present to you the most popular Filipino desserts: Merienda and Halo-Halo.
Merienda – Filipino word for dessert
In many parts of the world, desserts are served right after lunch or dinner, but Filipinos are less conservative and they eat dessert in the morning or in the mid-afternoon. It is called merienda.
Merienda is a light-meal or snack that can either be savory or sweet. A merienda can be lots of things, from noodles to banana fritters, burgers, but they usually refer to desserts.
Halo-Halo – Filipinos’ Favorite Dessert
Halo-Halo is especially eaten during summer and it is the most popular dessert in the Philippines. There are lots of ways to prepare Halo-Halo, depending on personal preferences, but there are some key ingredients that never change: shaved ice, milk, seasoned fruits.
Halo-Halo Recipe
Ingredients:
- crushed or shaved ice
- milk (fresh or evaporated)
- sugar, if needed
- sweetened saba or plantain bananas
- sweetened sweet potatoes
- fresh or sweetened langka (jack fruit)
- sweetened garbanzos or beans
- coconut strips or sweetened macapuno
- sweetened red munggo
- nata de coco (coconut gel)
- sago or tapioca pearls or jelly cut into cubes
- pinipig
- leche flan (topping)
- ube jam or ube ice cream (topping)
Preparation:
- In a tall glass, add a teaspoon of each of your selected ingredients.
- Add sugar if you like.
- Fill the glass with shaved ice up to the brim.
- Drizzle with milk
- Add the toppings of choice.
- Serve with a long spoon to mix (‘halo’) and enjoy.
We hope you enjoyed our short introduction to Filipinos’ dessert!