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If you’ve ever been to a restaurant that serves Filipino food, you may have seen halo-halo on the dessert menu. This aptly named dessert translates to “mix-mix,” a nod toward the various ingredients that are used in the dish. Halo-halo starts with a base of shaved ice, evaporated milk, and ice cream. From there, it can take on an endless variety of different flavors and textures. Here’s a quick look at some of the treats that make up this truly unique dessert.

4 Ingredients in Halo-Halo

1. Fruit

This treat gets its color, sweetness, and texture in part from a variety of fruits, including gelatinous coconut strings, banana, jackfruit, and lychee. While these are some of the more traditional options, halo-halo is versatile enough to accommodate any fresh or seasonal fruit, such as strawberries, pineapple, and mango.

2. Beans & Legumes

Filipino foodBeans don’t seem like a dessert food, but in this dish, they fit right in. Sweetened red mung beans, as well as azuki and white beans, give this Filipino food a soft, full texture. Chickpeas are commonly used in place of or in addition to beans.

3. Vegetables & Tubers

Purple yams, which is also known as ube, are popular additions because of their sweet flavor and striking color. However, yams aren’t the only starchy topping. You may also find corn, peas, carrots, and even yellow squash in some variations of this dessert.

3. Jams, Jellies, & Caramel

A sweetened fruit spread or paste brings elements of the dish together. Kaong, or sweet palm fruit, is commonly used, but you may also see leche flan, which is creme caramel. Agar jellies, potato jam, and tropical fruit preserves add another dimension of texture to this Filipino food.

4. Cheese

Grated puto cheese is often used as a topping for halo-halo. A hefty portion of shredded cheese gives the dish a salty taste that cuts through the sweetness, creating an interesting flavor contrast.

 

If you want to try this popular treat, head to Plantation Grindz in Kahului, HI. This locally owned eatery specializes in Filipino food, desserts, and treats, offering halo-halo, pandesal, and Spanish rolls. View their complete menu online, or call (808) 873-3663 to place a takeout order. Connect with the team on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates.

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