Monggo, or in English ‘Mung Beans’ (scientific name Vigna radiata) are small green beans widely cultivated and used in Southeast Asia. Part of the legume family alongside chickpeas, beans, and lentils. It is a affordable rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This is popular in Filipino cuisine, the ‘Monggo’ or ‘Pork Monggo’ being…
The Sweet Potato (Kamote) or called the scientific name ‘ipomoea batatas’, is an underground tuber belonging to the morning glory family. A staple food in many parts of the world, you might recognize them as the copper or vibrant orange, pink, or purple colored potato with a creamy texture and a sweet, earthy, warm taste,…
What is Langka (Jackfruit) ? An underutilized crop that is part of the breadfruit, mulberry and fig family. It is deliciously chewy and nutrition packed, with even lower calories than rice or corn. This tropical fruit grows around Asia, South America, and Africa, distinguished by the small dull spiked bumpy skin and vibrant yellow fibrous…
Saluyot, or in English ‘Nalta Jute’, is a leafy herbal plant you can easily find anywhere in the Philippines. While it is a common vegetable eaten by every Filipino, it is a plant that can also be found in many tropical or subtropical weather countries. The Saluyot has many medicinal uses, known for the good…
The Soursop (Guyabano), is part of the flowering evergreen tree family ‘Annona muricata’, native to the tropics and areas around Central and South America. It gained its popularity from its delectable sweet flavor and velvety texture, plus the cancer fighting health benefits. It helps give the body a good shot of immunity boosting nutrients and…
The Hito fish, also known as ‘Catfish’ in English is a ray-finned fish that got its name due to the long feelers or whiskers near the mouth that resemble whiskers. Not to be confused by the name you call a person creating a fake social media profile to trick others, like the MTV show. This…
What is Water Spinach (KangKong) ? A familiar vegetable that you can easily find in grocery stores, wet markets, served at restaurants as a main dish or side dish, or easily cooked at home. It is a herbaceous perennial tropical plant that is aquatic or semi-aquatic, known for it’s tender hollow shoots or stems. A…
The Versatile Lemongrass, Tanglad (scientific name Cymbopogon), what is it exactly? You’ve probably seen this ingredient the most Asian cooking, as a herb consumed or added as flavoring, in herbal teas, or turned into essential oils, or used as medicine. Known as a cluster of silky slim grass heads, called barbed wire grass, or fever…
Gabi (Taro) root vegetable is a edible root of a tropical herbaceous plant that is native to Southeast Asia, where it’s seen as a staple crop, these grow to around 5 feet tall, with the whole root crop, large leaves. it is popular in south east Asia, Philippines and India. It is used in some…
The Chinese Chives vegetable ( Kuchay ), Chinese leek, or called its scientific name ‘Allium tubersosum’ is part of the edible flowering plant family. This type of Chives are known for the similar traits to scallions or spring onions, being a perennial plant under the onion family that helps avert pests, which makes them great…
