The coconut has often been stereotyped in America in terms of reruns of Gilligan's Island or fruity cocktails like the piña colada. Recently, though, coconuts have had a lot more exposure, whether it's via Kim Petras songs or Kamala Harris memes. When it comes to food and drink, coconut milk and coconut water now seem to be just about everywhere. There's more to coconut-derived liquids, though, than beverages. The liquid drained from the tropical fruit can be boiled and gelatinized to make coconut jelly, the signature dessert served at Coconut Jelly King.
mango coconut jelly
This local franchise of a growing chain based in California is situated in Mekong Plaza, a quarter mile from the Sycamore/Main light rail station in the Mesa Asian District. Coconut Jelly King is one of the few tenants in the shopping center that is accessible not from inside the miniature mall but instead only via an exterior entrance, so look for the business on the outside near the north end. There is usually a prominent sandwich board sign outside on the sidewalk illustrating the shop's colorful products. Bike racks are found nearby in multiple locations at Mekong Plaza.
mango pancake
The shop's interior is decorated in soft pastels with an Instagram-friendly selfie wall. The products are all pre-packaged and displayed in a refrigerated case at the counter with an overhead menu on display screens. While everything is in glass jars or plastic containers ready to take home, there is also plenty of seating for customers who choose to enjoy their treats on site. The namesake product, coconut jelly, has a slightly sweet taste and a texture akin to soft tofu. It is offered not only in a plain format, but also in various tropical fruit and Asian flavors.
mango coconut jelly
At the most basic level, there's a distinction between single and double coconut jelly. Single is a smooth, uniform substance like a pudding or custard. Double introduces a second layer of coconut water, allowing for some textural variety. Other flavors include a separate layer of sweetness from ingredients like black sesame or fruits such as mango, pineapple,strawberry, or durian. In the case of the matcha coconut jelly, the green tea powder is mixed into the jelly itself while a serving of red beans is provided in a small separate container to maintain its freshness.
durian crepe cake
While jars of coconut jelly are the emphasis here, there are some Asian desserts and sweet drinks in other categories. Some franchises offer bubble waffles, but those are not currently available in Mesa. There are, however, pancakes and crepe cakes, both which use the same gossamer pastry in different configurations. The pancakes are small wrappers with a shape like mochi encasing a fruity, creamy filling. In the crepe cake, thin sheets of pastry are layered with the same filling in triangular slices. In both formats, mango and durian are the available flavors.
coconut mango sago
Coconut Jelly King also serves a selection of creamy drinks with similar flavor profiles in a more liquid format. Coconut mango sago incorporates small boba-like pearls in a creamy blend of tropical flavors. By default, the drink is intensely sweetened, but the sugar level can be adjusted downward as requested. Of course, there is always the option to have just a plain milk tea with boba. Not every single item here involves coconut, but the vast majority do. Coconuts are big these days, literally and figuratively, and Coconut Jelly King offers another way to enjoy them.
66 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202
https://coconutjellyking.com
No comments:
Post a Comment