Kalamay - the most popular dessert of the Philippines

Kalamay is the most famous dessert from the Philippines, which can be a great gift from this country. But even if you have no desire to bring dessert home, it is worth trying it on the spot during a vacation or travel.

Kalamai is made from coconut milk, brown sugar, and glutinous rice. Sometimes fillers and flavors are added to it to give a more "modern" taste, besides in different provinces and on different islands it is prepared a little differently. But in our opinion (the authors of the site) it is best in its natural, traditional form.

Kalamay in the Philippines

Its taste can resemble toffee, although the consistency is much more tender, and does not stick to the teeth. In fresh form, it can be similar to thick boiled condensed milk, but not so sweet, and with the aroma of coconut. Unfortunately, the consistency and taste deteriorate greatly during storage, so it is best to use it immediately after cooking. It can be stored outside the refrigerator for a week, in the refrigerator for about 10 days.

Buy kalamay in the Philippines can be almost everywhere: sold in supermarkets and on the street, can be found in shops and shops at seaports and airports especially for tourists. It is believed that the most delicious kalamai is made on the island of Bohol, and this is one of the visiting cards of the island, the locals are very proud of it. Here it is sold everywhere, including at the new airport on Panglao Island and at the port of the city Tagbilaran. It is offered in plastic cans, as well as in "branded" natural packaging made of coconut shells. The freshest dessert can be bought and tasted at one of several family-run cooperatives in the city Jagna (Jagna). There you can not only buy it, but also look at the production process in the form of a small free tour.

Calamai in a coconut shell in Jugna costs 50 pesos for about 300 grams (0.85 USD, see Philippine currency and Exchange Rate), in a plastic jar 40 pesos for about 200 grams (0.68 USD).