A taste of cool: No standard freezer pops, Mexican paletas tempt with bold, natural flavors

Published June 15, 2011 in the Commercial Appeal

This time of year, Memphians are in search of ways to cool off. Thanks to some local artisans, ice pops are the newest, coolest treat in town.

Frequent travelers of Summer Avenue have recently added a new word to their vocabulary: paleta, Spanish for "ice pop." The cool treats are made daily at La Michoacana, which is nestled in the French Village strip mall near Graham. Rafael Gonzalez, who can be found most days at the Summer location, runs the chain of four stores with two of his brothers.

Making paletas is the family business. Gonzalez's father, who hails from Michoacan, Mexico, has been in the paleta business for 35 years and currently has three stores in Chihuahua, Mexico. Michoacan is often credited as the birthplace of the paleta...(Read more)