Filipino Food

Caimito

The caimito is a 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.

Guyabano

Soursop.

The Filipino name for this fruit comes from the Spanish guanábana.

Duhat

Duhat is a local Philippine fruit that’s commonly referred to as Java plum. It is dark purple to black in color, fleshy and one-seeded, with a sweet-astringent taste.

Boneless Crispy Pata

Photos by Jeric Travis of Boneless Crispy Pata.

What is pata? It’s literally the leg of a pig. ?

Curacha

In the Chavacano language of Zamboanga in the southern Philippines, curacha refers to the spanner crab or red frog crab whose scientific name is Ranina ranina.

Malunggay leaves. Photo by Angie Pastor.

Malunggay (Moringa) is known as sajina in South Asian countries like India. In English, it is sometimes called referred to as horseradish though it’s a different species from the horseradish that Westerners know.

Dayap

Dayap is the key lime familiar to Westerners, though few know that it’s actually a native plant of Southeast Asia.

Scientific name: Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle.

Pakaskas

Photo by Eva Argenos

Pakaskas is a sweet treat consisting of palm sugar that’s liquified, then put into a mold of palm leaves until the liquid solidifies.

Difference Between Alimasag and Alimango?

In general, the alimasag has thin legs (and usually a mottled or spotted shell, but not always), while the alimango has prominently large forelegs and a shell that is of a solid even color.

Tinapa

Vacuum-packed Tinapang Bangus (Smoked Milkfish) by Angie Pastor. For orders in Manila, 09369815475.

Tinapa refers to fish that has been smoked. The finished product has a discernibly yellow or even orange tint.