Ice cream may be popular in the U.S., but around the world shaved ice is what they prefer to stay cool.
Asian shaved ice is not the same as American snow cones. Besides sweet syrup it also has other toppings including fresh fruits and some are even flavored with tea.
This is a jar of halo-halo which is made of tropical fruits and syrup. I found it to be too sweet. But I guess it’s meant as topping to shaved ice and other ingredients too.
You can find this jar at most Asian grocery stores for $1.50. Product of the Philippines.
Here’s a partial list of shaved ice around the globe:
Hawaiian shave ice
Japan Kakigori
Filipino halo halo
Mexican raspados
Korean bingsu
Taiwanese bao bing
Indian golas and chuskis
In the U.S. if you find yourself at a Filipino restaurant or Asian market, you can find halo halo. It’s a Tagalog word meaning “mix” and is made with a mixture of shaved ice, condensed milk, black beans, coconut jelly, and many other fresh fruits. It’s really like a big dessert cup or dish rolled up in one.
But in Mexico there is shaved ice vendors that offer flavors such as coconut, quince, tamarind, mango with chili,guava, and even rose petals. I think a good blend of fresh fruits with ice does make living in the tropical heat bearable.
If anyone is in the market for serious shaved iced, the best machine recommended by vendors is the Japanese made Hatsuyuki HF-500E. It retails for about $1,500. Shaved ice coming from this machine is like powdered snow, not crunchy like crushed ice or granita.
Vendors also like that the Hatsuyuki is able to make perfect shaved ice from regular ice cubes. As most machines require specially shaped blocks that require several days to freeze.
I wonder what Matsumoto’s uses for his Hawaiian shaved ice. I visited Haleiwa (Hawaii) almost a decade ago and did try the shaved ice. I think I enjoyed the ambiance more then the shaved ice itself.
On the same note as cold desserts, nothing can ever top this fruit smoothie from my childhood. On special days our dad would take us out and get us this blended drink made of sapote (mamey) with condensed milk and crushed ice. It was nothing like shaved ice and taste incredible. One day I’ll have to recreate this recipe.
Sources:
NY Times - Putting the Fresh in Refreshment, June 15, 2010
Youtube: HC-8E Hatsuyuki Cubed Ice Shaved Ice Shaver
9:19 pm on July 13th, 2010
The Filipino halo halo sounds very good. I also like Che, it’s a Vietnamese sweet dessert served in a glass over ice and eaten with a spoon, I like the different layers and always order when I eat at a Vietnamese Restaurant.
12:14 am on July 15th, 2010
Hi Nye,
I’ll have to order it next time I’m at a Vietnamese eatery.
Vietnamese Che looks just like halo halo! I guess the idea of this dessert is universal.
10:12 pm on July 31st, 2010
[...] the same note, this could easily be a topping for the Filipino Halo-Halo dessert. Just serve over crushed ice and you’ll have an even cooler [...]