Bernabest
-
INTRODUCTION OF THE PHILIPPINE CUISINE
Backed up with a rich and intricate cultural history, it is no surprise for Filipino dishes to be labeled as unique. Known as the original fusion cuisine by the rest of the world, our food continues to baffle many when it comes to our taste and palate preferences.
​
Unique as it may seem, the perception is slowly beginning to change as more and more have been satisfying their curiosity with regards to our dishes. Unknown to many, Google searches for “Filipino food” has doubled since 2012 as reported earlier this year by Bloomberg. However, the question still remains as to why many find our Filipino cuisine unique.
​
For one, Filipino dishes are unique as they draw inspiration from several influences. Our food reflects the Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Western and Pacific Islander flavors developed during our many years of colonization. Beliefs and viewpoints in the preparation of the food were largely influenced by intermingling with the Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Hindu cultures. Add to this the mix and match that happens when it comes to ingredients and methods used in cooking, describing our food in a line or two becomes a real challenge.
​
Secondly, our food is full of flavors, colors and delicious aroma. The range of diversity is quite broad from sweet to sour to salty. Letting each flavor have its own way without having to blend together and yet resulting in dishes that have that salty, sweet and tangy taste. Filipino dishes are very colorful combined with vegetables, seafood, lean meat and many more. It’s like having a full and colorful sensory experience with each meal.
Drawing from a rich cultural history and the diversity of flavors, aroma and color that make up the Filipino cuisine, it is sure to bring to the table a one of a kind experience.
-
INFLUENCES OF THE FILIPINO FOOD
Filipino cuisine is influenced by many cultures, mainly Malay, Spanish and Chinese cultures. More recently, influences from the United States, Germany and Japan have made their way into Filipino cooking.
​
Spain's culture is one of the most influential on food in the Philippines, with around 80 percent of the food cooked having its roots in Spain. American influences, not as notable as Spain's, came about with the end of World War II. Canned food was distributed at this time and fruit cocktail became popular, particularly when Filipinos added their own ingredients, namely the jackfruit (langka), coconut (buko), and palm nuts (kaong). These ingredients game it a Filipino "flair."
​
The type and flavor of food eaten varies from area to area in the Philippines. The staple food in some areas is rice whereas in others it may be cassava. Although at every Filipino meal, rice is available. The Bicol people of the southernmost portion of Luzon and western Mindanao Muslims are the only groups that extensively use hot peppers in their cooking, although hot peppers are available all over the Philippines.
​
The most popular meat in the Philippines is pork, with beef and poultry following behind. In the areas where Islam has a strong following, beef and are consumed instead of pork, with is a taboo meat. As a delicacy, the Tagalogs and the Pampanquenos eat frogs, although most Filipinos don't consume them.
​