FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

"Generic" is what I call these almost brandless products that seem to be there just like the others. But this one could be an exception as it is actually very good, even better than most sold in bigger stores and with more familiar brands. I like how thin and crisp the piaya is plus it is filled just right - not too overwhelming. You got to enjoy the crunch, the flavour of the unleavened bread and the muscovado sugar filling - all complementing and not distracting your taste buds. And it's only PhP20 per packs of eights. It also comes in the ube variant but I'd still go for the original one.

I was choosing over tons of pasalubong items at Deco's pasalubong shop when these items caught my attetion. It was just ordinary to see ube, mango flavours for piayas but I did take another look when I saw a red piaya and one labeled "calamansi" Starting the most obvious flavous and clockwise, strawberry, buko pandan, mango, ube, mango-pineapple, pineapple and calamansi But I had to go back again since not all flavours were comeplete that time. Then it was picture time and eating time. Buko pandan and mango-pineapple were good. I didnt find any hint of tanginess in the calamansi.

I seem to be addicted to Panaderia de Molo's piaya after I (re)discovered it weeks ago when someone commented that they were good. These piayas seem to be the most crisp brand, you can actually hear it break, here in Iloilo City that eating them is a pure pleasure. Though I have another brand as favorite (PJ Delicacies) these piaya from Iloilo City's iconic bakeshop now ranks among my favorite and piaya itself is (again) a guilty pleasure. I could finish a pack of 8 in five minutes - lol.

I often take piaya for granted for it seems ordinary for me. But there are times I get addicted to it after having a piece that eventually becomes a pack then pack s - lol. I made another discovery lately based on a comment in a previous blog entry about my favorite piaya. If you want your piaya thin and crisp, then Panaderia de Molo has the right one for you. Not like my favorite piaya, this one is not thickly filled but for this reason it becomes more crisp which makes a very good. With much lesser filling, it "reduces" your "sugar intake" but still you get to enjoy the sweetness this Ilonggo delicacy that made this partof the country famous.

In this part of the country, piaya is among the most popular pasalubong item. Originating from the region touted as the sugar bowl of the country, this famous treat is a delight to those who have a sweet tooth. Characterized by its flat (mostly) circular sahpe, flaky outside and sweet filling, piaya is among the most identifiable pasalubong item. In Iloilo, almost all pasalubong brands have piaya in their roster of items and my favorite piaya comes from PJ Delicacies (which also happens to make one of my favorite butterscotch). The first thing I liked about it is simply it's being neatly and tighly packed in clear plastic showing the contents "inside out". This prevents the piaya from crumbling and breaking apart during handling unlike other brands. But it doesn't end there. What you see is what you get ... to taste. For something this thin you'll be surprised to see and taste how it is fully filled without compromise. And yes it do taste fresh unlikesoem brand...

I'll be sending a former officemate some Ilonggo delicacies next week. From the usual yemas and buttered toasts to boneless dilis and a "ref magnet". But one request "got" me. It was for a "thick piaya". Piayas are usually thin yet some manage bakeshops to "get some air" into these. But it wasn't that either that she wants. She wanted a fully filled thick piaya that almost resembles like hopia in one way or another. I found the answer while browsing over my blogs photos album, they've got to be these piayas from Wewin's! As if she dreamt about these piayas and craved when she woke up. (lol) Just to be sure I bought a "sample" for a taste test and for a visual confirmation if they really are these ones. Haven't received the confirmation though, but I surely loved them myself that I got to finish a pack of 5's in less than 5 minutes after more than 15 minutes of photosession.

It was its novelty that made me buy this at their stall in SM City. Piaya Crisps , so thin that they literally didn't have filling and sort of became biscuits. At first I thought it was so-so until I find myself addicted to it. Even the simple honey-molasses flavor can make you crave for this piaya innovation by Susannah's cottage industries. c/o QUEENSK9 of PEX Now, another item added to my MUST TRY list. Each pack cost a litte more than PhP25 .

More images of one of the top pasalubong items from this part of the country. More on PIAYA

Probably the most famous Ilonggo pasalubong item. Made from unleavened dough filled with muscovado sugar, sprinkled with sesame seeds then pressed while being baked. Now it comes with in many sizes and flavours. Many prefer the orginal thin variety while others the thick ones which have more filling. Then came the flavored ones like ube, mango and pandan. But they are just still molasses-filled with some color and flavoring to entice buyers. Until years ago, fruit piayas have become true to its claim. Now we find ube, mango and langka-filled piayas side by side the original ones. What's next, strawberry?