Beat the summer heat with the ice-cold sweetness of mango

It's the fruit we're most known for but, curiously, it remains underrated. The mango usually plays second fiddle to some trendy new flavor and maybe it's time to rediscover its comforting taste.

Although it's left out of the traditional halo-halo, this sweet fruit can soothe the scorching summer heat. Simply stick a mango in the fridge and have a chilled version of it for dessert—or, when it's really sweltering, treat yourself to a mountain of mango-flavored ice in one of these dessert places.

Rita's Mango Shaved Ice (P100/regular)

Photos: Aya Tantiangco

This is the best upgrade to sucking on an ice cube. Rita's flavored ice is a life saver in these desperate, sweaty times. It's a delicious way to beat the heat—the flavor is not diluted at all and each spoonful is a fruity delight.

Rita's has branches in V-Mall in Greenhills, San Juan and in UP Town Center and SM North EDSA in Quezon City.

Ikigai's Mango Kakigori (P180/solo)

Kakigori is Japanese halo-halo, just as Bingsu is Korean halo-halo. However, instead of crushed ice, Ikigai serves milky ice in layered thin sheets that finely melts in your mouth and instantly refreshes. On the side are fresh mango cubes and nata de coco for flavor, plus cashews for texture. To make sure you're sufficiently chilled, this also comes with a small scoop of ice cream.

They also have Mango Okinawa Kakigori, which removes the nata de coco and replaces it with more mangoes. Yum!

Ikigai is at POS Building, Scout Madriñan, Quezon City.

The Dessert Kitchen's Taiwan Style Shaved ice (P188)

Photo: The Dessert Kitchen

Quite similar to Kakigori, but with rice balls instead of cashews and with the flavor mixed right into the ice. It's almost like a smoothie, but more fruity than sugary. There's a variety of mango-flavored desserts here, too. Mango pudding is always a good idea whatever the weather! (Trivia: Taiwan shaved ice is called Baobing.)

The Dessert Kitchen is at Power Plant Mall, Makati City.

Hobing's Mango Bingsu (P145)

It needs a bit of sprucing up and some really great angles if your main goal is to post it on Instagram, but as far as refreshing goes, it's a winner. The ice is so fluffy, it almost feels like you're eating snow. The syrup tastes very sugary, but that's easily remedied by taking a spoonful of ice with mango cubes.

Hobing has branches in several malls, including Lucky Chinatown, Glorietta, SM Megamall, and SM North EDSA.

St. Marc's Mango Fantasy (P250)

A little heavier than the rest of the entries—it's soft serve ice cream topped with mangoes, mango pudding, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side ... all sitting on a bed of bread and corn flakes. It's a proper dessert and the mango pairs very well with the soft serve. (The only con is the scoop of vanilla ice cream they serve this with tastes rather synthetic.)

If you're in the mood for something more refreshing and ice-y, they have Mango Milk on offer.

St. Marc's has branches in several malls, including UP Town Center, Greenbelt, and SM Megamall. — BM, GMA News