Kalamay
Encyclopedia
Kalamay, also spelled Calamay, is a sticky sweet delicacy that is popular in many regions of the Philippines
. It is made of coconut milk
, brown sugar
, and ground glutinous rice
. They can also be flavored with margarine
, peanut butter
, or vanilla
. Kalamay can be eaten alone but is usually used as a sweetener for a number of Filipino
dessert
s and beverages. It is similar to the Chinese Nian gao
(also known as tikoy in the Philippines) but is sweeter and more viscous.
from grated coconuts twice. Glutinous rice is added to the first batch of coconut milk and the mixture is ground into a paste. Brown sugar
is added to the second batch of coconut milk and boiled for several hours to make latík
. The mixture of ground glutinous rice and coconut milk is then poured into the latík and stirred until the consistency becomes very thick. It can be served hot or at room temperature especially when eaten with other dishes. Viscous Kalamay are often served cooled to make it less runny and easier to eat.
(the Filipino
tradition of a homecoming gift). They are often eaten alone, directly from the packaging. Kalamay is also used in a variety of traditional Filipino dishes as a sweetener. This includes Suman
and Bukayo
. It can be added to beverages as well, like coffee, milk, or hot chocolate.
Biko and Sinukmani are similar dishes which use whole glutinous rice
grains. The preparation is the same except that the glutinous rice is cooked whole and not ground into a paste. It is smothered with latík as well. In some regions (particularly in the Northern Philippines
), this dish is referred to as "Kalamay", while the viscous kind is differentiated as Kalamay-hati.
Latík can also be used with other desserts, particularly with dishes made from cassava
(it is then referred to as 'cassava kalamay).
Varieties include the following:
can vary from extremely sweet to mildly sweet. It is distinctive for being sold inside halved smooth coconut shells (the mesocarp of coconuts, locally known as bagol or paya). These containers are then sealed shut with a characteristic red crepe paper (papel de japon). This type of packaging is known as Kalamay-hati (literally 'Half Kalamay').
languages (particularly Hiligaynon
), is synonymous with 'Sugar'. Its production has been known since during the Spanish
colonization of the Philippines.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It is made of coconut milk
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is the water that comes from the grated meat of a coconut. The colour and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content. In many parts of the world, the term coconut milk is also used to refer to coconut water, the naturally occurring liquid found inside the hollow...
, brown sugar
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual molasses content, or it is produced by the addition of molasses to refined white...
, and ground glutinous rice
Glutinous rice
Glutinous rice is a type of short-grained Asian rice that is especially sticky when cooked. It is called glutinous Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa or Oryza glutinosa; also called sticky rice, sweet rice, waxy rice, botan rice, biroin chal, mochi rice, and pearl rice, and pulut) is a...
. They can also be flavored with margarine
Margarine
Margarine , as a generic term, can indicate any of a wide range of butter substitutes, typically composed of vegetable oils. In many parts of the world, the market share of margarine and spreads has overtaken that of butter...
, peanut butter
Peanut butter
Peanut butter is a food paste made primarily from ground dry roasted peanuts, popular in North America, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and parts of Asia, particularly the Philippines and Indonesia. It is mainly used as a sandwich spread, sometimes in combination as in the peanut butter and jelly...
, or vanilla
Vanilla
Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, Flat-leaved Vanilla . The word vanilla derives from the Spanish word "", little pod...
. Kalamay can be eaten alone but is usually used as a sweetener for a number of Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
dessert
Dessert
In cultures around the world, dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal, usually consisting of sweet food. The word comes from the French language as dessert and this from Old French desservir, "to clear the table" and "to serve." Common Western desserts include cakes, biscuits,...
s and beverages. It is similar to the Chinese Nian gao
Nian gao
Niángāo, Year cake or Chinese New Year's cake is a food prepared from glutinous rice and consumed in Chinese cuisine. It is available in Asian supermarkets and from health food stores. While it can be eaten all year round, traditionally it is most popular during Chinese New Year...
(also known as tikoy in the Philippines) but is sweeter and more viscous.
Preparation
Kalamay is made by extracting coconut milkCoconut milk
Coconut milk is the water that comes from the grated meat of a coconut. The colour and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content. In many parts of the world, the term coconut milk is also used to refer to coconut water, the naturally occurring liquid found inside the hollow...
from grated coconuts twice. Glutinous rice is added to the first batch of coconut milk and the mixture is ground into a paste. Brown sugar
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual molasses content, or it is produced by the addition of molasses to refined white...
is added to the second batch of coconut milk and boiled for several hours to make latík
Latik
Latík refers to two different ingredients in Philippine cuisine. In the north it refers to solid coconut curds, the byproducts of coconut oil production, used as garnishing for a variety of desserts...
. The mixture of ground glutinous rice and coconut milk is then poured into the latík and stirred until the consistency becomes very thick. It can be served hot or at room temperature especially when eaten with other dishes. Viscous Kalamay are often served cooled to make it less runny and easier to eat.
Consumption
Kalamay is a popular pasalubongPasalubong
Pasalubong is the Filipino tradition of a homecoming gift. The word is Tagalog, literally meaning "[something] meant for you when you welcome me back." It is one of the most distinctive and widely practiced Filipino traditions. Pasalubong can be any gift or souvenir brought for family, loved ones,...
(the Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
tradition of a homecoming gift). They are often eaten alone, directly from the packaging. Kalamay is also used in a variety of traditional Filipino dishes as a sweetener. This includes Suman
Suman (food)
Suman is a rice cake originating from the Philippines. It is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, and often steamed in banana leaves. It is served wrapped in buli or buri palm leaves and usually eaten sprinkled with sugar...
and Bukayo
Bukayo
Bukayo is a very sweet Filipino dessert. It is made by simmering strips of young, gelatinous coconut in water and then mixing with white or brown sugar. It can also be used as garnishing for other desserts.-External links:*...
. It can be added to beverages as well, like coffee, milk, or hot chocolate.
Biko and Sinukmani are similar dishes which use whole glutinous rice
Glutinous rice
Glutinous rice is a type of short-grained Asian rice that is especially sticky when cooked. It is called glutinous Glutinous rice (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa or Oryza glutinosa; also called sticky rice, sweet rice, waxy rice, botan rice, biroin chal, mochi rice, and pearl rice, and pulut) is a...
grains. The preparation is the same except that the glutinous rice is cooked whole and not ground into a paste. It is smothered with latík as well. In some regions (particularly in the Northern Philippines
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
), this dish is referred to as "Kalamay", while the viscous kind is differentiated as Kalamay-hati.
Latík can also be used with other desserts, particularly with dishes made from cassava
Cassava
Cassava , also called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates...
(it is then referred to as 'cassava kalamay).
Types of Kalamay
There are many variations and types of kalamay. Kalamay can be divided roughly into two types: the syrupy kind used in conjunction with other dishes, and the gummy chewy kind which is more expensive and usually eaten on its own.Varieties include the following:
- BoholBoholBohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
can vary from extremely sweet to mildly sweet. It is distinctive for being sold inside halved smooth coconut shells (the mesocarp of coconuts, locally known as bagol or paya). These containers are then sealed shut with a characteristic red crepe paper (papel de japon). This type of packaging is known as Kalamay-hati (literally 'Half Kalamay').
- Baguio Kalamay - a type of Kalamay from Baguio CityBaguio CityThe City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
, Philippines. It is also known as Sundot Kulangot (literally 'Picked Snot') because of its consistency. It is sweetened with molassesMolassesMolasses is a viscous by-product of the processing of sugar cane, grapes or sugar beets into sugar. The word molasses comes from the Portuguese word melaço, which ultimately comes from mel, the Latin word for "honey". The quality of molasses depends on the maturity of the sugar cane or sugar beet,...
which adds to its color. It is uniquely packed into halved pitogo (Sago Palm of the genus CycasCycasCycas is the type genus and the only genus currently recognised in the cycad family Cycadaceae. About 95 species are currently accepted. The best-known species is Cycas revoluta, widely cultivated under the name "Sago Palm" or "King Sago Palm" due to its palm-like appearance although it is not a...
) shells and sealed with red crepe paper in a similar manner to the Bohol Kalamay. It is the smallest known traditional packaging of Kalamay. They are sold in bundles, several of these kalamay balls are nestled inside split bamboo and tied with a string.
- IloiloIloiloIloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
Kalamay - Kalamay from the province of IloiloIloiloIloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...
and the island of Negros. It is thicker in consistency than other types of Kalamay. The city of San EnriqueSan Enrique, IloiloSan Enrique is a 4th class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,655 people in 5,417 households.-Barangays:San Enrique is politically subdivided into 28 barangays.* Abaca* Asisig...
celebrates a Kalamay festival.
- Candon Kalamay - Kalamay from Candon City, Ilocos Sur. It is sold wrapped in banana leaves or in coconut shells, though modern packaging uses polystyrenePolystyrenePolystyrene ) also known as Thermocole, abbreviated following ISO Standard PS, is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry...
containers wrapped in cellophaneCellophaneCellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose. Its low permeability to air, oils, greases, bacteria and water makes it useful for food packaging...
. Candon City also celebrates a Kalamay Festival.
- Nilubyan or Iniruban- a kind of Kalamay made from pounded green rice. It originates from Camiling, TarlacCamiling, Tarlac----Camiling is a 1st class urban municipality of the province of Tarlac in the Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 79,941 people in 15,324 households. The density is 1035.75 people per km2.Camiling is an urban municipality and one of the fastest-growing towns of...
in the Northern Philippines.
- MindoroMindoroMindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
Kalamay - a version of Kalamay from the island of MindoroMindoroMindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
. It usually contains grated coconut and is flavored with peanut butter or vanilla.
Origins
Kalamay, in many VisayanVisayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
languages (particularly Hiligaynon
Hiligaynon language
Hiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz but is also spoken in the other provinces of the Panay Island group, including Antique,...
), is synonymous with 'Sugar'. Its production has been known since during the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
colonization of the Philippines.
See also
- LatíkLatikLatík refers to two different ingredients in Philippine cuisine. In the north it refers to solid coconut curds, the byproducts of coconut oil production, used as garnishing for a variety of desserts...
- BukayoBukayoBukayo is a very sweet Filipino dessert. It is made by simmering strips of young, gelatinous coconut in water and then mixing with white or brown sugar. It can also be used as garnishing for other desserts.-External links:*...
- SumanSuman (food)Suman is a rice cake originating from the Philippines. It is made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, and often steamed in banana leaves. It is served wrapped in buli or buri palm leaves and usually eaten sprinkled with sugar...
- EspasolEspasolEspasol is a cylinder-shaped Filipino rice cake originating from the province of Laguna. It is made from rice flour cooked in coconut milk and sweetened coconut strips, dusted with toasted rice flour....
- Sapin-sapinSapin-sapinSapin-sapin is a layered glutinous rice and coconut dessert in Philippine cuisine. It is made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, water, and coloring with coconut flakes sprinkled on top. Sapin-sapin means "layers" and the dessert is recognizable for its layers, each colored separately...
- Kakanin