By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | May 9, 2022 | Food & Drink, Culture, Women of Influence Latest,
When the weather warms up the city, the best way to cool down is with a frozen sweet treat. While all of our inventive ice cream shops are a great choice, there's a new trend refreshing and enticing the taste buds of San Franciscans, and it's called a paleta.
While Mexican paletas resemble the traditional American popsicle, this delightful confectionery differs greatly in not only their texture, but in their ingredients, flavor profiles, and history. Pepito's Paletas in the Mission is devoted to delivering the highest-quality paletas to San Francisco, and in the most creative flavors imaginable.
Completely woman-owned and operated, Pepito's is a co-op that takes great care in both their handcrafted products, and in advocating female empowerment for their community.
Their delectably artisanal Mexican popsicles source only the freshest fruits to create healthy and modernized vegan recipes while still retaining the authenticity and tradition of founder Nancy Rosales's family recipes. "A paleta is 100% fruit," Rosales emphasizes, "it's just right from the farmers' market, right to the blender."
Rosales values the importance of her loyal patrons' health not only through her ingredient's quality, but also in the way she crafts the irresistable treats. By utilizing their signature eight-hour frozen box to package and quickly deliver the goodies on the same day, Pepito's encourages sustainability with less plastic.
It was crucial for Rosales to find a way to meld both new and nutritious flavor combinations with her preservation of her Mexican culture and tradition, which she has precisely perfected in her now expansive paleta selection.
From flavors such as Abuelita's Mexican Sweet Chocolate, Tamarindo, Cajeta, Honey Aguacate, and Arroz Con Leche, to name just a delicious few, Rosales masterfully highlights classic Mexican flavors while innovating them with fresh, lighter, and vegan alternatives.
Other original and highly-recommended paletas Pepito caringly offers include their Caramelized Fried Banana, Fig Cheesecake, Caramelized Sweet Potato, Mamey, and hibiscus Jamaica.
See also: Cool Off And Reenergize With These Best Refreshing Cold Coffees in San Francisco
The inventions don't stop there, however, as Rosales proudly boasts, "We can make any flavor you want if you have a custom flavor that takes you back home. It's just the thought of knowing that it can take someone back to their country is priceless."
Being able to reach out and affect her customers personally is an aspect Rosales truly values with her company. Pepito's has become an inspiring anchor not only in her neighborhood, but for the city's larger Mexican community, culinary scene, and female business owners.
"I was looking to see someone, Latina sister, doing big things," Rosales explains, before confidently affirming "I have to be the example, I have to be in action."
Pepito's Paletas are so much more than just amazing popsicles. They tell a story, uplift and empower, and most importantly, as Rosales proudly distinguishes from regular popsicles, they "melt in your mouth" and are "just more enjoyable." To see all their impressively original flavors and for all updates, visit their main site, because your new favorite paleta is waiting for you this summer!
See also: Indulge And Refresh Yourself With These Coolest Asian-Style Shaved Ice
Photography by: Jarritos Mexican Soda/Unsplash
