It’s official! Bluejay Coffee and Deli claims to make the best ensaimada in Iloilo. As this big standee advertisement greets patrons in their Amigo Plaza Mall, one’s curiosity is heightened if it can stand up to what it claims. And that’s exactly what I did .....
Months ago, I tasted their ensaimada and though it was indeed good that time, I still have reservations upon this claim then. It was a little bigger as the popular Megamelt or Muhlach, but cheesier (that is having more cheese toppings), had a bit more butter and softer on each bite despite being dense. But it was sort of deformed that time – maybe I got the one at the bottom of the pack.
But to my surprise when this reinvented ensaimada came, it was a lot bigger and looks very different from the previous one. Most noticeable was the two-tone cheese topping it had. My guess it had keso de bola and cheddar but it was never confirmed – secret of the trade I was told.
As it was reheated in the microwave oven for around 10 seconds, the mix of melted butter and the sugar granules created quite a glittering display and beckons to be eaten right away. To which I did – after taking five shots, of course. A food blogger always takes photos (most of the time A LOT) first, no matter hungry he is or the ones surrounding him are, before eating.
Finally, the time came and it was very fluffy that the whole bread goes down with each forkful I took. No I wasn’t just dreaming it, but it really melt in your mouth. The cheese topping variation created a contrast in flavour – the cheddar cheese giving it something like an “umami” taste while the “keso de bola” balanced it a little saltiness. The buttery sugar crystals (or is it the sugary melted butter) gave it the familiar ensaimada experience. Admit it, no matter how ordinary or special an ensaimada is, the butter and sugar mix gives it sense of taste recognition.
It was enjoyable with coffee – I finished my cup with no sugar in it. Then I realized the inconsistency of my first and recent ensaimada experience. The first one peeled right off the plastic - cold and compact, while the latter heated and a lot fluffier. So I got another one with instructions of serving it as it is. It was still a lot better than the previous one, but warming it up is still the best way to indulge in it. 
So can it really live up to its claim of being the best ensaimada in Iloilo? Well, I’ll leave it hanging first, since I have yet to taste test two or three more ensaimadas of the same genre. But all I can say for now is that I can finish three of these ensaimada in just one sitting and there could be room for one more! Not to mention bringing home half dozen more and enjoying it more at home!