July 9, 2009

Soft and silken

One of the most common street snacks in the Philippines is taho, though it probably came to us through China. It only has three ingredients: fresh soft tofu, arnibal (a syrup made from caramelized brown sugar), and tiny sago pearls. It's filling, high in protein, provides a quick dose of energy because of the sugar, and, most importantly for many Filipinos, it's cheap. This serving in a regular-sized plastic cup costs only 10 pesos (US¢20) and they're available in the smaller, water cooler-sized cup for half the price. Don't let its looks deceive you—taho is delicious! You can see a taho vendor in one of my Baguio City Series posts from last year.

taho

29 comments:

  1. LoisJuly 9, 2009 at 3:35 AM

    It looks good to me, especially after reading your description of what is in it! You certainly can't beat the price.

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  2. crocrodylJuly 9, 2009 at 3:58 AM

    Looks strange but for sure it is tasty:)

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  3. JamesJuly 9, 2009 at 4:15 AM

    Hi Hilda, first I want to let you know that I have no idea what the arch in my bridge pictures is/was used for other than a sign that says "welcome to Penn's Landing" I'll let you know if I find out.
    Secondly I am really shocked at the dollar peso exchange rate. When I was in the P.I. 10 pesos was about
    ¢.50
    Finally I would give taho a try but I would need to get past the texture of the pearls and the tofu also I think I would like it better iced. ;-)

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  4. DinaJuly 9, 2009 at 4:29 AM

    OK, I'll try it. Send one over! And the price is right.

    Today I was in Jerusalem in a neighborhood with many little parks. You see so many old folks, each with his own carer from the Philippines. It made me wonder what these young people miss from home. Maybe your taho is one of the little things.

    In Australia I always wondered about the name silken tofu. Thanks for the link that explains it.

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  5. Leif HagenJuly 9, 2009 at 4:54 AM

    Delicious photo! I'm willing to try anything once! The price is sure right!

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  6. Clueless in BostonJuly 9, 2009 at 5:56 AM

    It sounds really good and at an unbeatable price.

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  7. marleyJuly 9, 2009 at 6:09 AM

    My sweet tooth is crying out for some! It looks delicious to me :)

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  8. EG CameraGirlJuly 9, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    It looks yummy to me. Made with tofu so I bet it's somewhat good for you too. ;-)

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  9. Don and KriseJuly 9, 2009 at 7:40 AM

    OK Hilda, we'll take your word for it. If you say it's good then it must be. I'd be brave and give it a try. I also agree, the price sure is right.

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  10. LowellJuly 9, 2009 at 8:05 AM

    I'd certainly be willing to give it a try...but what are sago pearls?

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  11. BuckJuly 9, 2009 at 8:30 AM

    Food! Yay, what a great post! I get so many good ideas from you Hilda. Sago pearls sound like tapioca to me, which makes the taho sound extra good to me.

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  12. Chattahoochee Valley DailyJuly 9, 2009 at 9:03 AM

    Looks a bit like a root beer float, which is also very good : )

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  13. GeorgeJuly 9, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    Taho looks and sounds delicious. I'd like to give it a try sometime.

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  14. OlivierJuly 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    la composition donne envie d'en prendre un.
    composition gives desire to take one.

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  15. Priyanka KhotJuly 9, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    Sounds delicious and cheapness of the drink adds to the taste.

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  16. VPJuly 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM

    I am not sure about this, it looks inviting but tofu has the same appeal of cork to me. I'm curious about the sago pearls...

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  17. BergsonJuly 9, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    A real meal in a glass

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  18. B SQUAREDJuly 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    I'm with Vogon but I would give it a try if I could.

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  19. AnonymousJuly 9, 2009 at 8:31 PM

    I suppose I could get past the tofu since there is something else sweet in it. It actually looks like some kind of ice cream with caramel or butterscotch syrup.

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  20. HalcyonJuly 9, 2009 at 9:26 PM

    If you add a little cinnamon, I'm sure I'd love it. I think brown sugar and cinnamon go great together. And I don't mind tofu.

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  21. 2sweetnsaxyJuly 10, 2009 at 12:22 AM

    Interesting. Never seen anything like it. Do you have to eat the tofu or does it mix in with the rest and you drink it too? I don't know anything about tofu. :-)

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  22. UnknownJuly 10, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    €0.14 for such an energetic food! That's amazing! And it looks so tasty!

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  23. HildaJuly 10, 2009 at 6:42 AM

    James, Vogon, B, Abe, 2sweet:
    When it's all mixed up, you won't even taste the tofu — all you'll taste is the sweet arnibal. Texture won't be much of a problem either because it'll be so liquefied, you can drink it with a straw. The sago pearls are the ones that add a little texture and bite.

    Buck, Jacob:
    Yes, sago pearls are similar to tapioca pearls. Both are starches, but made from different plants. Sago comes from the sago palm and tapioca from a root crop.

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  24. Ken MacJuly 10, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    oh my, this looks scary!

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  25. AnonymousJuly 10, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    wow ka lami ana oy

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  26. AnonymousJuly 10, 2009 at 8:58 PM

    I love taho too...but I only get the small cups...

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  27. lunarossaJuly 11, 2009 at 12:24 AM

    Looks delicious, Hilda. I'd really like to try it! Ciao. A.

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  28. RachJuly 11, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    I miss taho! I remember waking up to the sound of the vendor yelling "taaahooo!" ^-^

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  29. AnonymousJuly 18, 2009 at 6:04 AM

    Every food containing strength,I love to eat. I wish some day i will taste it.

    peter


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