Everybody loves ice cream. In fact, I have never met anyone who declined an invitation to a cone or cup of one. I am personally addicted to it that I often disregard its adverse effects on my throat and voice. In a tropical country like the Philippines, these frozen treats are non-negotiable especially during the summer months.
The Philippines is home to many exotic fruits that have found their way into the ice cream factories. It is not weird for the ice cream-eating populace to find what might otherwise be a strange flavor at a local convenience store. Take for example the mango-flavored ice cream. Mangoes thrive in tropical weather and in the Philippines, the best mangoes can be found in Guimaras. It therefore goes without saying that someone would come up with mango-flavored ice cream to ease the heat on a hot day.
So here’s a list of some of the most popular ice cream flavors of the Philippines. I suggest you try each one of these and let us know about your experience in the comments box below.
Durian
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the fruit that “smells like hell but tastes like heaven”. If you particularly don’t like the “smells like hell” part, you can always enjoy the rich, creamy flavor of durian in an ice cream. Durian is synonymous to Davao City but you really don’t have to make the trip down south to experience the one-of-a-kind ice cream flavor. All you have to do is head to a local dairy store or grocery and buy a tub!
Mangosteen
Mangosteen is famous because of its medicinal and therapeutic properties but it is also a delicious fruit. A large dairy company recently developed a mangosteen and coffee-flavored ice cream as part of the Best of the Philippines line. I am yet to try this flavor as it is always sold out. This flavor’s limited edition and it sells like hot cakes.
Chili
The entire Bicol region is world-famous for their spicy cuisine and Bicolanos’ creativity seems to know no bound. When in Legazpi City in Albay, look up the 1st Colonial Grill, a restaurant that serves some of the most bizarre ice cream flavors in the country. Do not be deceived by the pink, sweet-looking ice cream served on your table, a spoonful after and you will think your throat has gone afire.
Halo-halo
Halo-halo may very well be the Philippines’ national dessert. This heavenly concoction of ice, milk, pearls, nata de coco, beans, caramelized plantains, jackfruit slices, ube, leche flan and other tasty ingredients is a summer staple. For those who would like to take their halo-halo experience to the next level, a tub of ice cream in the same flavor should do the trick. Plus, it would be like tasting several ice cream flavors of the Philippines all at the same time! Halo-halo ice cream is sold in most dairy shops all over the country.
Avocado
Avocado is a favorite fruit shake flavor and it is a great ice cream flavor too. Some people I know, including myself, prefer avocado for its protein content. Avocado is sweet and creamy, making it a perfect component for making home-made ice cream. Among all the ice cream flavors of the Philippines, this one’s a personal favorite.
Calamansi
A citrus-flavored ice cream sounds too unconventional for me but if I’m ever offered a scoop of calamansi ice cream, I would gladly accept it. Calamansi-flavored ice cream is also served at the 1st Colonial Grill in Legazpi City and those who have had a taste of it say it has a refreshing flavor: sour but overall creamy just how ice cream should be.
Cheese
A lot of people really find cheese-flavored ice cream weird but ice cream is essentially made of milk and cheese is also made of milk. Putting two and two together, it would not sound so strange at all. Quezo Real is an extremely popular flavor in the Philippines. Can you spread it on bread since it is cheese? I did once and I made a pretty yummy ice cream sandwich!
Ube
Ube, also known as purple yam is a popular root crop in the Philippines. It is used in many local delicacies as an ingredient, flavoring, and colorant. Macapuno on the other hand is a variety of coconut with thicker, softer flesh. The flesh is cooked in sweeteners and packed in jars together with syrup. Combine ube and macapuno in a tub of ice cream and you get one of the best Filipino ice cream flavors ever created in the islands.
Mango
Tropical fruits are indeed very popular among the ice cream flavors of the Philippines. Mango being one of the country’s main products, it’s already a given that ice cream be made out of it. Tangy and sweet at the same time, mango ice cream is especially popular during the summer and is often used as topping for other desserts.
Coffee or Mocha
I mean, who does not love coffee? This is my personal favorite. I especially like Selecta’s Coffee Crumble that’s flavored with Monk’s Blend Coffee from Bukidnon. Coffee ice cream is often consumed as a pick-me-up or treat for adults because of the caffeine. We always have a tub of this flavor for extra hot days that make me feel very drowsy.
There are still plenty of other ice cream flavors of the Philippines. The list may just be endless considering there are a good number of fruits makers can always experiment on. Now that the summer months are approaching, it’s time to indulge in these heat busters more often. Raise your cones to a fun tropical holiday!
