"Pasalubong" From My Father's Hometown

If you've read my previous posts, then you might be aware that my father went back to his hometown to surprise my Grandma for her birthday. It was a huge success, by the way!

In the Philippines, we have this concept of Pasalubong. It refers to "something" that a person gives to people waiting for them at home after they have traveled or stayed somewhere else. I think it could be translated to "souvenir for someone" in English.

Pasalubong can either be things or food, but mostly their food... especially a specialty from the place the person visited.

In the past, when any of us went to my father's hometown, we usually bought peanuts since it's among the place's specialties. However, Mama and I requested different things this time around.

Let's start with Mama's request. :)

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It's suman or budbud!!! It's sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves. My father bought two types: one is plain suman, and the other is budbud moron.

The plain suman, as I've mentioned, is sticky rice cake made from glutinous rice that's cooked with coconut milk, then wrapped in banana leaves.

As for budbud moron, they often use glutinous rice powder cooked with coconut milk, but it's mixed with cocoa powder or tablea (chocolate tablets). It's the one in the photo above, that's why you can see some brown on one side.

They're both really delicious, but I prefer budbud moron more. :)

It's time for my request!! :)

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I've been into brewing coffee recently, so I requested my father to buy me some dark roasted coffee beans from his hometown.

The last time the whole family went there was before the pandemic. At that time, we'd go to this local cafe for breakfast. My parents and Grandma would order some hot cocoa, but I usually get myself a cup of coffee.

Their coffee smelled really good, so I asked my father if he could find some coffee beans in his hometown. Luckily, he found some coffee beans sold per kilogram at the local market. (It's not common in my city, usually I can buy either in the supermarket or at a cafe).

The coffee beans are darkly roasted, and they smell soooo good!!!

On my father's way home, he was in an air-conditioned room on the ferry, and he said the smell of coffee filled the room. hahaha

I haven't tried brewing this yet... I haven't even ground the coffee beans, but I will do so when I have more free time. I have to catch up with my classes, so this coffee can wait. ^^

Since it's extra roasted, I'll try to brew it as it is... but I'll also try to mix it with the caramel nut ground coffee I bought last time.

It's fun to experiment with coffee! I've been into drinking coffee for quite a while now, although I used to just have instant ones.

Well, we also stock some Nescafé Tradicao Forte, which reminds me, we just ran out. XD My mom is interested in trying another Nescafé instant coffee called French Roast. Well, I'm curious as well.

When I don't have a lot of time, I just make instant coffee, but when I have some time to spare, I like to brew coffee by myself. On other occasions, we also have tea. :)



All in all, we're both really happy with Papa's pasalubong. :) Thanks Papa!!! (Sa uulitin! -- Until next time!)

I'll end this post here. Thanks for reading, and see you around! Have a good one! (^^,)/