Enchanted by Paletas
Chill Paletas was born from an experience we had in Puerto Rico, the “Island of Enchantment.” We were visiting our family there for the first time. They’d just purchased a farm in the mountains, where the indigenous birds are seen and the most authentic food eaten. Mofongo and pasteles made our taste buds giddy with joy, and new desserts brought us back to childhood wonder. We meandered through historical sites and took in the views of Crashboat Beach and Parque Colón in Aguadilla.
“We’ve got something more to show you,” said our family as they drove us to the place where our dreams were planted. “It’s a paleteria,” they said. “And it’s an experience.” We walked into the popsicle shop and felt a joyous vibe. Paletas of varying flavors lined a large case – some rich and decadent, others tropical fruit mixtures. We chose our paletas and they placed them into little trays to be topped with various syrup, candies, and chocolates. The guanabana was delicious, and the cheesecake was exceptional!
We loved the experience and afterward wondered, “What if we could bring this experience to Tacoma?”. We came home and got to work creating paletas that would bring a bit of the tropics together with local flavors for everyone to enjoy.
A Flavorful Journey of Family, Creativity, and Community
John and Amber Jones, a dynamic couple with a shared love for culinary exploration and a desire to make a positive impact, embarked on an exciting journey together. Inspired by their passion for trying and cooking different styles of foods, they turned their creative endeavors into a venture. With a vision of building a future for their family and sharing the experience with their community, John and Amber set out to create something unique and enjoyable.
John, a Washington native, had a penchant for new experiences and an open-minded outlook on life. His love for travel, particularly to tropical destinations, ignited the idea of bringing a taste of those sunny adventures back home. Paletas, the colorful and refreshing Mexican popsicles, became the perfect vessel to encapsulate his wanderlust and share it with the city of Tacoma.
Amber, a long-term resident of Tacoma, Washington, had always embraced the vibrant food scene in her city. From coaching gymnastics to achieving an accounting degree, she had an adventurous spirit and a deep appreciation for fusion and vegan cuisine. Seeing the rising popularity of these innovative flavors, she believed that their gourmet paletas would be a fantastic addition to the array of scrumptious options available.
John and Amber’s shared love for brainstorming and creating new flavors fueled their ambition. Their combined creativity and culinary expertise made them an unstoppable duo. They envisioned Chill Paletas as more than just a business; it was a means to make a positive impact on their community. By offering delicious, handcrafted treats made with the utmost care and attention to detail, they aimed to bring joy and satisfaction to every customer.
With their dreams set and their passion driving them forward, John and Amber embarked on the thrilling adventure of starting Chill Paletas. They knew it wouldn’t be easy, but their dedication to building a future for their family and sharing a delightful experience with their community served as unwavering motivation. They were ready to create a world of flavor, one paleta at a time, and couldn’t wait to meet the smiling faces that would soon become part of their journey.
Our Team
Owner
John
Owner
Amber
Tech Support/Market Assistant
TreJean
Our Process
Our Paletas are hand-crafted in small batches to achieve the highest quality possible. We start our process with whole fruits or cream and organic cane sugar. We add chocolate, herbs, spices, or fruit juice to enhance flavors and create delicious combinations. We never use artificial flavoring, coloring or corn syrups. As we grow, we strive to source our ingredients locally and seasonally. Our goal is to use the best ingredients available and deliver the freshest flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are gourmet paletas?
Paletas are frozen treats made with fruits, milk, herbs, and spices. Made with only natural ingredients to provide a refreshing, flavorful experience.
What makes paletas different from traditional popsicles?
Popsicles are an American pastime made popular in the mid-1900s. Using a stick to mix powdered soda and water, 11-year-old Frank Epperson made a joyful mistake. Distracted, he left it outside overnight and it froze, becoming the first popsicle. A stick of frozen water and artificial flavorings is still used to make popsicles.
“Paletas” are a creation from the Michoacan region of Mexico that is enjoyed throughout Latin America. A frozen treat constructed with pureed fruits, herbs, spices, and sometimes nuts. Served on a stick, much like popsicles, but with flavors only limited by the imagination.
We at Chill Paletas believe the greatest differences are the quality of ingredients and overall flavor.
What are the best gourmet paleta flavors?
Some of the most popular flavors of gourmet popsicles we make are Spicy Pineapple, Peach Blackberry, and chocolate-dipped Strawberry. Our personal favorite is Guanabana.
Are gourmet paletas healthy?
We make our paletas with whole, natural ingredients, with NO artificial flavors or ingredients. We aim to bring a fresh alternative to traditional frozen desserts like ice cream and bring a variety of options that can fit into a healthy lifestyle.
How are gourmet paletas made?
Our Paletas are hand-crafted in small batches to achieve the highest quality possible. We start our process with whole fruits or cream and organic cane sugar. We add chocolate, herbs, spices, or fruit juice to enhance flavors and create delicious combinations. We never use artificial flavoring, coloring, or corn syrups. As we grow, we strive to source our ingredients locally and seasonally. Our goal is to use the best ingredients available and deliver the freshest flavors.
How much do gourmet paletas cost?
Please check out our ordering page for pricing details.
What are some unique gourmet paleta flavor combinations?
We strive to bring a combination of tropical and local flavor options. Our Mango, Parcha, and Strawberry is one that we enjoy. Also, Spicy Pineapple is a wonderful sweet and spicy option.
Are there vegan or dairy-free options for gourmet paletas?
Yes, all of our fruit-based paletas are vegan. We also make cream-based vegan/dairy-free paletas in a variety of flavors.
Do your paletas contain allergens?
We make some of our paletas with commonly known allergens such as wheat. However, almost every paleta is vegan.
Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes, many of our paletas are naturally gluten-free.
Do you deliver?
Not at this time.