It’s that time of the year again when the metro is dressed with ornate fairy lights and decorations; when traffic is at a standstill; and when Jose Mari Chan’s ubiquity rivals the global pop charts. Christmas signifies a lot of things for different people, but one thing that unites us is our passion for good holiday food. The Philippines does not fall short in its holiday food offerings as these have been long ingrained in its culture. This year, Fruitas Holdings Inc. hopes to give our classic Pinoy Christmas treats a unique spin by offering a range of products for pairing.
Puto Bumbong x 7,107 Halo-Halo Islands Buko Halo-Halo Shake
Puto bumbong, traditionally a street food item sold outside churches after Simbang Gabi, has popped up everywhere from mall kiosks to upscale restaurants. “Puto,” which means steamed glutinous rice,” and “bumbong,” which means bamboo tube, is traditionally served with shaved coconut meat, muscovado sugar and butter has always been a crowd pleaser. Pairing this steamy Christmas treat with a summer favourite, halo-halo, surprisingly works. One serving of Buko Halo-Halo from 7,107 Halo-Halo Islands, priced at PhP 99 per order, elevates the flavors of the puto bumbong and adds several layers of flavors and textures that further intensifies the experience. For puto bumbong and halo-halo, opposites definitely attract.
Bibingka x Black Pearl Classic Chocolate Shake
Much like puto bumbong, Bibingka has transcended the Simbang Gabi stalls and has been readily available all across the metro. This buttery rice cake works best with Black Pearl’s Classic Chocolate Shake with your favorite sago. The sweetness of the crushed ice bathed in chocolate flavor, as well as the chewy bite of the sago pearls, prove to be a worthy pairing for the steamy and spongy texture of the bibingka.
Black Pearl Classic Chocolate Shake, prices range from PHP 39 to PHP 69 depending on size.
Fruitcake x Fruitas Zesty Watermelon
Would it be really Christmas if we didn’t receive fruitcakes as gifts? This holiday treat is punctuated with candied and dried fruit and offers layers of flavors ranging from sweet, bitter, and spicy. To tie in the fruitcake’s complex flavors, Fruitas’ holiday offering, Zesty Watermelon juice, made from all natural watermelons and lemons, washes down the fruitcake’s complexity of flavors with something straightforward, simple and 100% fresh.
Fruitas Zesty Watermelon, prices range from PHP 60 to PHP 115 depending on size.
Christmas Ham x Shanpelino Moscato Red from La Petite Pariesienne
Served as a centerpiece for most Noche Buena spreads, the Christmas ham–smoky, aromatic, and often sweetened with glaze–works best with light to medium-bodied wines that would bring out its salty and sweet flavors. Shanpelino Moscato Red, which can be purchased in La Petite Parisienne, offers the perfect wine pairing for the holiday classic as it complements the sweetness from the ham’s glaze, and tempers the saltiness of the meat without being too overpowering. Shanpelino Moscato Red retails at PhP 590 per bottle at La Petite Parisienne.
Leche Flan x Buko Loco Ube
Don’t be fooled by leche flan’s simplicity: the egg, milk and caramelized sugar custard serves as the ideal ending to a hearty Noche Buena as it is light as it is sweet. If you are looking for a more sugary kick, try pairing this dessert with Buko Loco’s ube flavored buko juice. Adding a twist to the beloved beverage, Buko Loco made the variant creamier with milk and a dollop of nata de coco, while still maintaining a base of all-natural, pure and fresh buko juice, which only retails PHP 65 per bottle.
Fruitas Holdings, Inc. makes these pairings possible by imparting different products that integrate fun new flavors suited for the Filipino palette. Since food is significantly tied into our social interactions, spicing things up a by introducing new flavors and ways of consuming our holiday favorites provide a different and more memorable Yuletide experience. Through this, us Filipinos remain true to our openness to what is new, while still keeping our identity rooted in years-old tradition.