If you are among those who have a sweet tooth or if you want to satisfy a sugar craving, then the Philippines has many options for you. With several cultural influences throughout the country’s background, along with the utilization of Filipino taste and flair, different types of interesting sweets have been discovered. So, save the cakes and doughnuts for some other day, and try your hands on some of these delicious Filipino desserts and treats instead.
Halo-Halo
The notorious halo-halo is a crowd-puller. From local people to tourists, everyone loves a big glass of everything. “Halo” is the Tagalog word for “mix”. So, this dessert’s name is known as mix-mix, as it is exactly what the restaurant must do for enjoying all its sweetness. Halo-halo is a blend of crushed ice, beans, sago pearls, coconut, sweetened banana, purple yam jam, Leche flan, evaporated milk, flattened rice grains, and jackfruit.
Buko Pandan
This dessert is very simple to make and delicious. With only five things, Filipinos have survived to make a tropically right treat. Its most fundamental recipe is made of shredded young coconut, cream, gelatin, and condensed milk. The result is a creamy and sweet-smelling dessert, with pieces of pandan-flavoured gelatin. It tastes great when served cold.
Leche Flan
It is the Philippines’ version of caramel pudding. With different varieties found across the world, this won’t seem new to many. What people can expect from the Philippine version is its richness and sweetness that creates silky heaven for the appetite.
Puto
Puto is considered as a good thing in the Philippines. In fact, it is a steamed rice cake. It is enjoyed with various savoury dishes like pork blood stew (dinuguan). Apart from the white original, this spongy snack comes in different flavours, from pandan to ube to cheese, which produces a colourful display when kept in the stores for sale.
Kutsinta
It’s with these types of desserts that tourists will understand the splendid love affair the nation has with rice. Filipinos have it with every meal, and they like it so much that they even have it after a meal. Kutstinta, just like puto, is a steamed rice cake, but it is sticky and rubbery. When served with grated coconut over it, Kutsinta tastes great.
Taho
Taho is not a common dessert because traditionally, it is sold by street vendors in two aluminium buckets through a yoke. This three-ingredient snack is made by combining soft tofu, arnibal (a syrup made of water and brown sugar), and sago pearls. To enjoy this Filipino dessert, keep an ear out for the hawkers calling, “Tahooooooo”.
Turon
Most Filipino children have fond memories of Turon as anybody can make it at home. Slices of jackfruit and Saba banana are rolled in brown sugar, covered in spring roll wrapper, and then deep-fried with a little brown sugar to cover the whole roll. This crunchy sweet is also available on the street side. You can enjoy it as a mid-day snack.