Archive for November 7th, 2008
Filed Under Cebu Food-trip Adventures
If you decide to buy some of the aforementioned Cebuano sweet delicacies, it is your option where you can buy those. Aside from the branches and display centres of these specialty bakeshops and manufacturers, their products are widely available mostly in grocery stores and supermarkets usually found in malls. These products can be located in a section that is intended solely for these kinds of products, such as pasalubongs or take-home items.
The malls of Cebu are really perfect shopping destinations, as they provide you with an endless variety of options, choices and stores you can choose from. They include in their establishments everything that you might need.
Stuffed crabs in Ayala mall foodcourt
For Cebu sweet delicacies, you can find them in groceries and supermarkets, and usually, malls always have at least one. SM City Cebu, for example, has its own SM Supermarket, which provides classy and quality yet affordable products. If you are thinking of buying those delicacies, the store provides you with a separate aisle or section that puts together all the Cebuano delicacies that are patronized and that you might buy. You can also find your favourite brands and manufacturers in this store. Aside from the supermarket found in the lower ground floor of the mall, you can also visit the Snack Exchange section of the SM Department Store, where it showcases the same delights and delicacies. This section is intended for those who are interested with foods alone and those may not have the time to line up in the queues in supermarkets.Ayala Center Cebu, meanwhile, also provides you the same convenience by having its own supermarkets. One is the Metro Supermarket and the other is the Rustan’s Supermarket (the latter is more intended for the high society). Both can provide you with the pasalubong items and the sweet delicacies of Cebu you love. The Ayala mall is a favourite of local and foreign tourists, who make sure they bring with them some delicious treats and Cebuano delicacies.
Hello…What’s your order sir?
Other malls in Cebu provide you with the same convenience and comfort by making sure they have the Cebu sweets that you want to buy. As such, E-Mall in the downtown area of Cebu City, in N. Bacalso Avenue, is also a premier shopping destination even for tourists. Aside from its various stores, it has the SaveMore Supermarket, a large store that can provide you with a wide selection of products and services. Likewise, it gives you the Cebu sweet delicacies you will surely look for. If you are near the south and find SM and Ayala a bit far, E-Mall may be the best choice you have.Other malls that also provide you with these items through their own supermarkets are the Metro Gaisano Colon, Gaisano Countrymall, JY Square Cebu, Gaisano Mactan, Super Metro Mandaue, Robinson’s Place Cebu, and many others. Branches of the manufacturers and popular brands may also be found in some malls, as in the case of Titay’s in Raintree Mall. It may also pay to note that the items you can find in the supermarkets may be a bit more expensive than the same items that you can find in the branches of the manufacturer. So if you have plans to buy in bulk, you may consider buying straight from the manufacturer through its branches and display centres, where products may be cheaper.
Filed Under Cebu Food-trip Adventures
Throughout the years, there have been several brands and companies that have established a reputation of being the pioneer in the industry. These are the trusted brands when it comes to the products that the people generally need and look for.
Today, Cebu takes pride in several of its companies and brands that are truly world-class and of export quality. Many of them started many years ago and it is both inspiring and impressive to discover how they managed to survive against all the economic and financial difficulties and struggles that came along the way. Indeed, the names of these brands have been so attached to their products such that they are the most recommended.
These brands are the trusted brands whenever we think of products we need. The good name only proves the success of each brand in capturing the hearts (and stomachs, for that matter) of the Filipinos.
Now, let us take a quick review of the most known and the most established brands of the Cebu sweet delicacies. These are the specialty bakeshops that we see in the metropolis and are offering us the sweet and yummy delights we crave for.
a. Shamrock
The Shamrock store is considered to be a pioneer in the Cebu islands when it comes to Cebuano sweets and delicacies. Nevertheless, it has been most known for or identified with otaps, for which the store first invested in. The Shamrock otap is one of the most famous for balikbayans and tourists and most recommended for pasalubongs or take-home delights.
Shamrock – where otap is the best.
The Shamrock store is already considered to be successful, as its name and image already mirrors the good reputation it has. It also has several branches already in Metro Cebu, and even exports abroad, with its world-class quality. And needless to say, the Shamrock brand is most famous for its yummy and mouth-watering otaps. On the success of its otap, the company has also ventured into several other delicacies as businesses and it proves to be equally successful. Now, the shamrock products are indeed very visible and highly patronized and marketable in supermarkets and grocery stores.You can find one Shamrock branch at the Osmeña Circle, more popularly known by the locals as the Fuente Osmeña in Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City. Additionally, there is also another that you can find in V. Gullas Street, still in Cebu City. Shamrock is highly recommended for their quality products that are also sold at reasonable prices. You can also buy Shamrock products at your favourite or nearest supermarkets and malls.
b. Titay’s
If Shamrock had its way pioneering on otap products, this time, Titay’s became popular for being a leading manufacturer of rosquillos. The main name of the company is Titay’s Liloan Rosquillos & Delicacies, Inc., coming from a family living handed down from generations to generations in the municipality of Liloan in Cebu. Having lasted until now, more than a hundred years since the business was first established, Titay’s surely deserves nothing but admiration.
It was in April of 1907 when Margarita Frasco, whose nickname is Titay (hence the name of the business), ventured into making a cookie that is now known as rosquillos. The secret recipe to the highly successful rosquillos of Titay’s was, as mentioned, passed on to the succeeding generations. Today, it is no wonder that Titay’s stands as a giant in the food industry, considering its several years of surviving against all odds and managing to be still successful and consistent at the top of whatever it does. Yet, Titay’s still stands proud of tracing its origins back to Liloan, Cebu where the legend all started. A simple proof to it is the attachment of the town name to its official company name.
At this time, Titay’s also has embraced several other delicacies as part of its growing business. Aside from their signature rosquillos, they also have sinudlan, hojaldres, galletas del carmen, otap, galletas de bato, caycay, and peñato.
Titay’s has a branch at the Raintree Mall in Mango Avenue, Cebu City. Its main office, however, can be located at Poblacion, Liloan, Cebu. For further information, you can visit the website at http://www.titaysliloan.com.
c. Masterline
The Masterline is an old bakeshop in Cebu that is most popular for selling and manufacturing favourite biscuits and crackers, such as the galletas and otap. Another popular product of Masterline is its pinasugbo, which are thick and sweetened banana slices with yummy soft caramel packed in paper wrappers.
The Masterline Bakeshop also has a wide array of several other products and delicacies. It also features otap, patatas, hojaldres, rosquillos, galletas, and many others. Masterline’s products are also inexpensive and sold at reasonable prices. You can check their branches, offices and display centres and discover more about their products and services in their several branches and offices found in the metropolis.
Masterline Bakeshop has an outlet or display center at 30 Don Gil Garcia St., Capitol Site, Cebu City and another at Unit #6 St. Patrick Square, Aboitiz St., Cebu City. You can also email for further information at rollie@masterlineph.com or visit the company’s website at http://www.masterlineph.com/. And like other brands, you can find its products sold at leading supermarkets nationwide.
Masterline surely holds some of the finest products ever. Its products are quality and yet affordable. The company has grown and is continuously growing, at pace with the increasing demands of the market.
d. La Fortuna
The Cebu La Fortuna Bakery is indeed one of the most popular and most successful bakeries and specialty bakeshops the Cebu islands have. With its strategic location and loyal customers, the store’s branch in the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City has become a landmark and a constant stopover. This branch is actually a bakery / carinderia / restaurant / convenience store, so you need not look for more.
Additionally, La Fortuna is most famous for its tikoy, masi and hopia. Nevertheless, it still produces and provides several other delights and delicacies that are fit for the Filipino’s taste. Though the company had started out as a store of Chinese products, now it is obvious that it has also ventured and explored new options by providing the native delicacies that Filipinos love. You can see ampao, polvoron, and many others that are reasonably priced, too.
A hotel, restaurant and bakery
Amazingly, Cebu La Fortuna Bakery indeed is a strong and stable business, with several ventures at hand, such as catering services and a hotel aside from its bakery. Its products are not also limited to only delicacies, as it also offers several products on delicacy, beverage, short orders, cakes and pastries. It is also noteworthy that the bakery already has its own branch in the US, proving how successful it has become.Cebu La Fortuna Bakery can be found at Borromeo Street, or at the Magallanes Street (near Magellan’s Cross), or at Capitol Corner Escario Street, all in Cebu City. To know more about the company, visit its website at http://cebulafortuna.com/.
e. Others
Aside from those specialty bakeshops and brands of Cebu sweet delicacies that are previously mentioned, you can still find several others in Cebu that are emerging and increasing in number. They are those that may still be small today, may not have their own branches yet, but still, their products can already be found and highly patronized and marketable in supermarkets.
Magic Melt today is not only limited to ensaymadas and polvorons. You can already find Magic Melt otap products and some other sweet delicacies of the same brand. They have stalls found in malls, such as SM City Cebu, but most of the sweet Cebuano delicacies they offer can be found in the delicacies section of supermarkets and grocery stores.
Conching also provides items on otap and several other delicacies. Their products also prove to be highly marketable in the supermarkets. Aside from that, 7D is a known brand when it comes to dried mangoes. Their dried mangoes are indeed one of the best in the island and even in the entire country. Besides, Gene’s Salvaro de Cebu is another example. From its name, it provides favourite salvaro products and other products on galletas, biscocho, rosquillos, otap, cookies, and more.
Filed Under Cebu Food-trip Adventures
There are so many of us who have the so-called ‘sweet tooth’. Yes, we seem to crave for sweets, delights and desserts wherever we go. Well then, if you are that type, then Cebu is a must for you to visit. With the island’s culture, food and cuisine, you will surely enjoy what Cebu can offer you and your taste buds. There is a wide selection of distinct, sweet and delicious delicacies and products for a sweet tooth like you. You can surely enjoy the sweets and delights that can leave you asking for more.
Aside from the other foods that Cebu has been known for, the sweets and delicacies it offers is sure to make every woman swoon and every guy kneeling only to make sure they get to taste these products.
So allow me to list down a number of the most popular, most mouth-watering sweets and delicacies the province of Cebu has been popular for. Nevertheless, there is still so much you can be excited about, and the list does not end just there yet.
a. Otap
The otap is undoubtedly one of the most famous of the Cebu islands, for it is known to have originated from Cebu. The otap is an oval-shaped biscuit and has a length of four to six inches long, width of two inches, and thickness of 1/8 inch. Additionally, its ingredients include the sugar, flour, shortening and most especially, the coconut. All of these are being combined in order to come up with a sweet and yummy delight – that is, the otap.
the best otap from Shamrock
The process entailed in creating otap involves two tedious baking stages. These stages are responsible for the unique texture of this pastry. The very sweet taste it contains is due to the sugar sprinkled all over its surface, which seems to appear like crumpled before being baked. Upon eating one piece of an otap, it tends to be a bit messy as some parts of the biscuit fly to the floor since it is very lightweight. It is recommended that upon biting a piece of it, you put your hand below your chin so you can catch the falling parts of the biscuit and it won’t be too messy. But its being messy and scattering is all part of the entire otap experience and thus makes the experience more enjoyable.
b. Dried Mango
Coming from the name itself, dried mango is a piece of ripe mango that has been sun dried. However, Cebu’s dried mango is known to be far distinct and very special. Its taste is said to be very distinctive and will make you crave for more. The dried mangoes of the Cebu islands are unique for their sweet and sour taste. These dried mangoes are coming from the best picked, fresh mangoes of Cebu, which has a reputation of having the best tasting mangoes in the country.
Dried mangoes are perfect for snacks and desserts. Pieces of them are chewy, moist and tasty and are in bite sizes. These delights are also recommended as they are healthy food choices. They are also packed in a way that is perfect for you to bring wherever you are – in the office, at home, to the beach, anywhere. They can be perfect for trips, hikes, outings, vacations, gatherings, and in any event you want.
All in all, dried mangoes top many people’s favourites when it comes to snacks, desserts and dried fruits. And definitely, Philippine mangoes, especially Cebu mangoes, are the ultimate most delicious ones. They are even for export quality and favourites, too, of those in abroad.
c. Masareal
The masareal is a very popular delicacy of Cebu which has originated in the city of Mandaue. Its pieces are in a form of rectangular bars and are grouped and packed in paper. The packing in paper, then is being secured by using a piece of plastic twine or string.
The ingredients of a masareal include the peanuts, which are finely ground, and sugar syrup. Together, they are mixed to create a sweet and delicious mouth-watering delight. A bar of masareal is a favourite of kids who often like sweets. Nevertheless, even adults keep on wanting for more especially with balikbayans. The masareal is most famous to come from a family living created in Doña Rosario Village in Mandaue City. It is a good variety or product that is made of peanuts, and no doubt, peanut-lovers list masareal as one of their all-time favourites.
Interestingly, the masareal today has adapted new changes and innovations, including its new shapes and sizes. Now, masareal is available in heart shapes and other fancy shapes you can think of.
d. Rosquillos
Rosquillos, simply said, are cookies or biscuits that are ring in shape. The cookies are famous because of their being crispy, light and delicious. Moreover, the rosquillos is popular because they can be made or baked even when you are at your own home. It is important to differentiate the rosquillos of Cebu from the rosquillos of Spain, which are more of olive oil doughnuts.
The rosquillos of Cebu is made of a mix consisting of the best ingredients such as flour, baking powder, sugar and egg. The baking process results to a natural crunch and thus provides the very delicious and sweet taste you love. The ring shape and characteristic of rosquillos also makes it even more attractive, delightful and enjoyable for kids to eat.
e. Bibingka
Time and again, there have been several versions of bibingka but the one of Cebu really stands out from the rest. The bibingka of Cebu, or more popularly known as bibingka Mandaue (since you can buy from there), is unique because instead of the baking powder, which is what’s most usually used, rice powder is the primary ingredient.
the best bibingka from Cebu
Of course, this is mixed together with tuba and coconut milk to come up with the bibingka mix. Eventually, the bibingka is being covered with the famous banana leaf and then placed in a clay oven under the flaming coconut husks for fuel.
f. Salvaro
The salvaro of Cebu are basically coconut crackers that are characterized by being flat and oval in shape. Additionally, these biscuits are indeed very thin (wafer-thin!) and also very crispy. Because of their coconut flavour, they are made to be more unique and distinct from other delicacies and products of Cebu.
The main ingredients of salvaro are the enriched wheat flour, sugar, sodium bicarbonate, shredded coconut, and shortening. It is also known to be a very healthy and nutritious delight for all. There are several famous brands and manufacturers of salvaro you can find here in Cebu, including Gene’s Salvaro de Cebu and Pinky’s Salvaro. You might want to check these out.
g. Ampao
No doubt one of the famous here in Cebu and in the country, the ampao is proud to be from the now-city Carcar. The ampao is the Cebuanos’ own distinct version of rice crispies. The ampao is popular for its characteristics of being crunchy, white and sweet. The ampao is also scattered with peanuts on the top, making it more favourable especially for peanut lovers. It is literally cooked rice that is laid out in the sun and being dried up. This process is responsible for the crunchiness of the food.
Rectangular in shape, the ampao is also thick and wide. The taste of the peanut on top complements perfectly the deliciousness of the rice crispies. The ampao is definitely a perfect food for everyone – regardless of age, gender, or taste buds. It is also noteworthy to mention that ampao today already comes in different colours, from yellow to green to pink, perhaps for added attractions.
h. Torta
Like the bibingka, the torta has already been made available in different variations and in different tastes in various places across the entire country. Nevertheless, the torta that comes from Cebu still remains to be well loved and well patronized by many, even those local and international tourists.
The torta is another local pride of the Municipality of Argao in Cebu. In this Cebuano version, tuba (fermented coconut wine) is being used instead of the usual yeast. The torta is large and sweet, and is often described as a ‘cupcake-like pastry’.
Making the torta involves pouring the flour in the tuba and mixing this with salt. The torta of Cebu uses a clay furnace in making it rather than those modern types of ovens widely available in the market. This feature or characteristic makes the torta more appealing and special. The torta is usually patronized as a snack or even possibly as an addition to rice.
