ABOUT FILIPINO FOOD

Custard apple, sweetsop, sugar-apple…

Atis is a very popular fruit in the Philippines, as well as in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand.

Photo of Guimaras mangoes still waiting to become fully ripe.

* Guimaras is the name of an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region.

Photos by Grace S.

The caimito is a purple-skinned, white-fleshed fruit of the tree with the scientific name Chrysophyllum cainito. It is native to Central America and was introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. Star apple is its given name in English.

Langka or Nangka is the Tagalog word for “jackfruit.” It’s the largest fruit that grows on a tree! See the other photo!

Photo by Toyang Noresa of peeled saba bananas

Sabá is a cooking variety of banana having the scientific name Musa saba. It has been called cardava, cardaba or kardaba in English and other languages. The Indonesians call it pisang kepok. The sabá is much fatter and starchier than the typical table banana.

A popular fruit in the Philippines, associated with the Davao area in Mindanao… now in a bottled drink?

The most common variety of mango in the Philippines is what Americans refer to as champagne mango. It’s been called Manila mango, Ataulfo mango (named after its Mexican grower) and Honey mango. Filipinos call it manggang kalabaw (carabao mango) while the Philippine government refers to it as ‘Manila Super Mango.’

These fruits have been called Queensland cherries, Philippine wild cherries, Philippine blackberries, and tree currants.

Pomelos from Davao on sale in Manila. Photo by Angie Pastor.

Suha is the Filipino word for the large citrus fruit more commonly known as “pomelo” in English-speaking countries.

These batwan fruits are used as souring agents in Ilonggo cuisine.