Mango Ice Cream
Mango ice cream is a type of frozen dessert with mango as its main ingredient, widely enjoyed in Taiwan and other Asian countries. In particular, the mango ice cream served at Snow King Ice Cream, a long-established specialty shop in Taipei, Taiwan, is known for its rich flavor that makes use of the freshness of green mangoes and for preserving the natural texture of the fruit. It is highly popular among both locals and tourists, and has become a representative example of fruit-based ice cream in Taiwan.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 110 New Taiwan Dollar
- Meal Date
- 5/5/2023
- Food Travel Log
- Among the 73 varieties, I was recommended the mango ice cream at "Xue Wang Ice Cream." Made from Taiwanese green mango, this simple-looking ice cream deceived me. On my tongue, it felt like pure mango fruit, so dense and fiber-rich that it seemed as if I was eating the fruit itself. The craftsmanship was evident, making the high price worth it.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Mango ice cream is one of Taiwan's representative fruit ice creams, and in particular, the mango ice cream offered at Snow King Ice Cream (雪王冰淇淋) in Taipei is known for its uniqueness and high quality. Snow King Ice Cream, established in the 1950s, is a long-standing ice cream shop famous for offering as many as 73 distinctive flavors. This mango ice cream lavishly uses ingredients centered on locally grown green mangoes from Taiwan and is characterized by its rich texture—allowing one to feel the fibers of the fruit—and its juiciness.
History and Snow King Ice Cream
Thanks to the abundance of tropical fruits in Taiwan, there are many desserts using mangoes, but Taipei’s Snow King Ice Cream has, as a specialty shop, won high praise from locals and tourists over the years. The shop owner is a highly respected artisan in Taiwan, and the ice creams—meticulously handmade and crafted with a strong focus on ingredient quality—captivate visitors with their diverse variations.
A distinguishing feature of Snow King Ice Cream is its lineup ranging from traditional flavors to creative ones, among which mango is one of its signature items. Using Taiwanese green mangoes and employing a preparation that makes the most of the fruit's natural aroma and flavor with minimal use of colorings or artificial flavors, this ice cream allows people to enjoy a taste and texture like eating chilled, fresh mango. This has earned it a devoted fan base.
Taiwanese Mangoes and Their Use
Characteristics of Green Mangoes
Green mangoes (Ching-man-go, 青芒果) are widely cultivated in southern Taiwan and are often harvested before they fully ripen. The fruit flesh is notably fibrous, with a good balance of sourness and sweetness, and besides being eaten raw, they are used in a variety of forms such as sweets, ice cream, and jam.
Role in Food Culture
Every summer in Taiwan, many different mango desserts appear. Alongside mango shaved ice and mango pudding, mango ice cream is a staple at local cafes and ice cream shops. Green mangoes are considered the ideal ingredient for infusing a rich flavor and refreshing aroma into ice cream. By mixing in plenty of the fruit pulp, a natural taste that does not rely on artificial flavorings or sweeteners has become popular.
Snow King Ice Cream pays special attention to texture as well, ensuring that the smooth mouthfeel is accented with the natural fibers of the mango. This is achieved through traditional manual methods and a cooling process with careful temperature control, resulting in a quality distinctly different from other ice cream shops or mass-produced products.
Variations and Popularity
At Snow King Ice Cream, dozens of unique ice creams are offered, themed not only on fruits other than mango but also on traditional Taiwanese food culture (for example: lychee, durian, red beans, turtle jelly, Shaoxing rice wine, etc.). Among these, mango ice cream is especially popular in summer and is loved by both locals and tourists as a flavor symbolic of Taiwan.
Even in the context of global ice cream culture, it is rare to find a style that presents the natural flavor of ingredients so boldly, making it a product that truly reflects the distinctiveness of its locale. It is recommended to experience the genuine taste of mango ice cream, which can only be enjoyed in Taiwan, when visiting the country.