As summer heats up, the global gastronomic community turns its attention to cool, refreshing treats, and this year, two favorites from the Philippines have created a buzz in the TasteAtlas’s 50 Best Rated Frozen Desserts in the World. Bringing some tropical magic to the table, the quintessential Filipino desserts, Sorbetes and Halo-Halo, have secured prestigious positions on this esteemed list.
On the back of recent accolades for Filipino pork dishes and sinigang soup, this new recognition for Sorbetes and Halo-Halo underscores the diverse culinary charm of the Philippines. The beloved street cart ice cream, Sorbetes, tantalized the TasteAtlas audience to become a Top 5 favorite, scoring a stunning 4.5 out of 5 stars. Meanwhile, the distinctive, milky iced mixed fruit dessert, Halo-Halo, proudly positioned itself at No. 43, earning a commendable 3.8 stars.
According to TasteAtlas, Sorbetes, humorously referred to by locals as “dirty ice cream” due to its street origins, is a “popular Filipino ice cream flavored with ingredients such as mango, chocolate, cheese, coconut, and purple yam (ube).” The unique texture comes from carabao milk, making each scoop a delightful treat. “Although it sounds similar to a sorbet, it is not a sorbet, but a dirty ice cream,” TasteAtlas adds, highlighting the dessert’s playful local nickname.
Meanwhile, Halo-Halo, literally meaning “mixed up”, is described as a “summer dessert or a snack of mixed fruit and beans, topped with finely crushed ice and either milk or ice cream.” An intriguing array of ingredients, including bananas, jackfruit, coconut, sweet potatoes, red mung beans, chickpeas, sugar palm fruit, purple yam jam, leche flan, and even sweet corn or corn crisps make this dessert a unique, vibrant, and addictive delight.
Pinoy favorite Sorbetes ice cream ranks in the Top 5 while Halo-halo shaved iced dessert joins the Top 50 on the @TasteAtlas 50 World's Best Rated Frozen Desserts! https://t.co/7atsGkfCCI
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) June 3, 2023
The TasteAtlas’s 50 Best Rated Frozen Desserts list, released on May 31, 2023, uses a comprehensive rating system that factors in the opinions of real users while eliminating the impact of bot or biased votes. In total, 4,426 ratings were recorded, of which 3,386 were deemed legitimate by the TasteAtlas system. This democratic method of ranking aims to “promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.”
As we step into summer, this TasteAtlas ranking offers an invitation to discover and relish the diversity of the world’s frozen desserts. It also puts a well-deserved spotlight on the Philippines’ dynamic culinary scene, proving yet again that this island nation has plenty to offer to food lovers worldwide. So, when the heat is on, why not find some respite in the delightful flavors of Sorbetes and Halo-Halo?
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