Mango shaved ice is a popular dessert in
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
, especially enjoyed during the hot summer months. Distinct from traditional
shaved ice
Shaved ice is a large family of ice-based desserts made of fine shavings of ice and sweet condiments or syrups. Usually, the syrup is added after the ice has been frozen and shaved—typically at the point of sale; however, flavoring can also be ...
which typically includes toppings such as
tapioca pearl
A tapioca pearl, also known as tapioca ball, is an edible translucent sphere produced from tapioca, a starch made from the cassava root
. They originated as a cheaper alternative to sago in Southeast Asian cuisine. When used as an ingredient in ...
s,
taro ball
Taro ball () is a traditional Taiwanese cuisine dessert made of taro. It can be found in almost every part of Taiwan and other parts of the world selling Taiwanese desserts, among which Jiufen's taro ball is said to be the most famous.
The taro ...
s, and
grass jelly
Grass jelly, also known as leaf jelly or herbal jelly, is a Gelatin, jelly-like dessert originating in China. It is commonly consumed in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is created by using Platostoma palustre, Chinese mesona (a member of the ...
, mango shaved ice features fresh mango chunks,
condensed milk
Condensed milk is Milk#Cow, cow's milk from which water has been removed (roughly 60% of it). It is most often found with sugar added, in the form of sweetened condensed milk, to the extent that the terms "condensed milk" and "sweetened condensed m ...
, and mango ice cream atop shaved or finely crushed ice. This combination creates a refreshing and cooling treat that is favoured by both locals and tourists. According to surveys by
CNN
Cable News Network (CNN) is a multinational news organization operating, most notably, a website and a TV channel headquartered in Atlanta. Founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable ne ...
and various travel magazines, Taiwan's mango shaved ice has been recognized as one of the world's best desserts.
History and origin
The exact origins of mango shaved ice are unclear, but it is believed to have evolved as a way to utilize surplus mangoes that were not suitable for sale due to their sour taste. Farmers would soak these underripe mangoes in salt water and then marinate them with sugar, resulting in a tangy-sweet flavour.
Ingredients
The key components of mango shaved ice are fresh mango pieces, condensed milk, and mango-flavored ice cream. The mangoes are typically diced into small cubes, which are then layered over the shaved ice. Condensed milk is drizzled on top to add sweetness, and a scoop of mango ice cream often crowns the dessert, enhancing the fruity flavor and creamy texture.
See also
*
Red bean ice
Red bean ice is a drink commonly found in Hong Kong.
It is usually served in restaurants like '' cha chaan teng''. It is a popular dessert in the summer. The standard ingredients include adzuki beans, light rock sugar syrup
In cooking, s ...
*
Ice kachang
*
References
Taiwanese cuisine
Taiwanese confectionery
Taiwanese inventions
{{Taiwan-cuisine-stub