Guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser, this authentic ice cream activity is one of the most intriguing ways to get acquainted with the many flavours of Ecuador. During your visit so far, you may have tried helados de paila at local heladerias or from street-side vendors. Yet this will be your first opportunity to make your own and taste several of the different varieties it’s possible to create.
The paila is a large but shallow bronze pan which can be seen in kitchens throughout South America. These wonderfully antique-looking receptacles must then be filled with fruit – traditionally, with Ecuadorian fruit such as naranjilla or passion fruit. This is then mixed with sugar and placed in the paila over a large amount of ice and rhythmically spun until the mixture begins to thicken.
The perfect group activity, making helados de paila is a great way to experience Ecuador’s exciting culture. After mastering the spinning technique, it’s time to tuck into your delightfully authentic dessert.