Paleta

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Paletas are Mexican ice pops, usually made from fresh fruit. The name comes from palo, or "stick," and the diminutive ending -eta, referencing the little flat stick frozen into each item; the stores, carts, and kiosks where they are sold are known as paleterías, and the sellers are called paleteros.

[edit] Paleta flavors

Flavors can be divided in two categories: milk-based and water-based. Milk-based flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, rum, coconut, pecan, and arroz con leche are creamy in texture. Water-based flavors such as strawberry, mango, lime, cucumber,Dill pickle, jamaica (drink), cantaloupe, pineapple, guava, and tamarind are made from juices and some include bits of frozen fruit. Although most flavors are sweetened with sugar, there are a few exceptions such as pepino con chile limón (spicy cucumber with lime).

While paletas have been sold from street carts in Hispanic communities in the United States for many years, the last decade has seen a slight growth in U.S.-based brands and marketing. For example, the Los Angeles, California-based company Palapa Azul was created in 2002 specifically to develop paletas for a wider market that would include the traditional Mexican and Mexican-American customers but also attract non-Hispanic consumers; the company introduced its paletas at the NASFT Fancy Food Show in January 2004 and went on to roll out the products in national chains such as Whole Foods Market and Costco.