Tamarind is a tropical fruit that may not be the prettiest or fanciest fruit. But this brown shelled ingredient is favored by many for having a sweet sour taste that just wakes you up, and adds that extra ‘oomph’ to the dish making it livelier. Plus adding so much health benefits as well. These are…

The Kalabasa squash in Filipino, or spelled ‘Calabaza’ vegetable, is a Spanish generic term for the winter squash, in English this is called ‘West Indian Pumpkin’. A tropical vegetable similar to a pumpkin. The meat has a beautiful bright orange hue, quite firm and hard raw, but turns soft and tender when cooked. It gives…

Muscovado sugar or Barbados sugar is a dark brown-colored partially 100% unrefined cane sugar that has been evaporated, leaving it to contain natural molasses, giving it a deep toffee-like taste and moist texture. While many find it the ideal low carb option, as a sweetener with higher vitamins and minerals compared to other options, sugar…

Yakult or “Yakult probiotic drink” is a popular and probably very familiar drink to many kids and adults alike. A small sweet beverage that came from Japan during the 1930’s, now spread all around 40 more countries around the world. This Japanese probiotic drink is made with milk and the fermented bacteria “Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota”…

The Upo vegetable, also called the ‘Bottle gourd’ or ‘Calabash’ (with the scientific name Lagenaria siceraria) is a nutrient-dense tropical vegetable-fruit with a high carbohydrate content. Often cooked in savory dishes usually stews, soups, or sautéed with pork or beef, or when dried are turned into traditional crafts. Loved by many for being budget friendly, it’s…

Bay Leaves from the Bay Tree or “Laurus Nobilis’ originating from the Mediterranean, are an aromatic leaf-herb commonly used fresh, dried, or powdered in cooking, with some traditions using it to repel bad energies or to attract good vibes (and money). This herb with a strong aroma, has a slight bitter yet complex taste when…

Pechay or familiarly called “Bok Choy” in English, is a biennial plant that can grow to a height of around 15-30 cm in the vegetative stage. A leafy vegetable that can be grown at home with just a container or a small pot, and is commercially a profitable vegetable that is grown in farms. Found…

The galunggong fish or the blue mackerel scad, round scad, maachili or shortfin scad. Is a staple fish in the Philippines. A very relevant fish that the price of the round scad is said to be the barometer of the Philippine’s economy. Some even joke that this should be the Philippines’ national fish. Affordable, flavorful,…

Star Anise or the dried fruit of an “Illicium Verum” is an evergreen shrub native to Southwest China and Northeast of Vietnam. More familiarly known for its dried form of pods sometimes with seeds inside, connecting in the middle to form a star-shaped spice with a distinct slightly bitter and sweet licorice flavor. You’ll likely…