Halo Halo History
Halo-halo is one of the most popular desserts in the Philippines, especially during the summer season. But did you know that our famous Halo-halo originated from overseas influence? Jump right into our featurette to know more about this beloved dessert.
Halo-Halo or “mix-mix” is of Japanese origin. Pre-war Japanese settlers introduced “kakigori” to the Filipino dessert palate. Its main ingredient was shaved ice and condensed milk. Later on, the Japanese added monggo and kidney beans, and called the dessert “mong-ya”.
When the Americans built the Insular Ice Plant and increased the supply of Ice in the Philippines, the Japanese saw this as an opportunity to sell mong-ya. It instantly became a hit among Filipinos.
Halo-Halo was kakigori or mong-ya adapted by the Filipinos to suit their preferences. After the war, locals began adding more ingredients to enrich the flavors. These include ube, ice cream, nata de coco, pinipig, caramelized banana, and Leche flan among many more.
Anatomy of Halo-Halo
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