What Is The Taste Of Tupig?

The authentic flavor of tupig is one of its hallmarks. If you haven’t tried it, you’re most likely wondering about one thing: What is the taste of tupig?

Driving up north, I would see a lot of signs saying, “Tupig for sale.” That made me wonder as well. What is the taste of tupig?

What better way to find out than to actually taste it, right? 😀

That way, I can answer the question: What is the taste of tupig?

What Is The Taste Of Tupig?

Yummy! That is the taste of tupig.

It’s sticky, smoky, and sweet.

It goes so well with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Tupig, also known as intemtem, is a native cake from Pangasinan, Philippines. (1)

 

It is a delicious sweet treat, made from bits of shredded coconut and glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves.

It is a delicious sweet treat, made from bits of shredded coconut and glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves.

Tupig also goes by the name of “kangkanen.” (2)

However, the term tupig is more endearing and easier to remember, don’t you think?

The name, tupig, means “flattened,” which is fitting, as it resembles a flat log. 

The name, tupig, means “flattened,” which is fitting, as it resembles a flat log.

Until recently, tupig was a Christmas delicacy given to carolers. Originally a seasonal treat, it is now served year-round.

However, it has since evolved into a year-round delicacy.

Today, the delicacy is still hugely popular, served wrapped in banana leaves. 

Today, the delicacy is still hugely popular, served wrapped in banana leaves.

Tupig is similar to suman, another local delicacy that’s also made out of sweet glutinous rice steamed over an open fire.

Related Read: Tupig: Looks Like Suman But It’s Not Suman

Its grilled form gives the treat a pleasantly charred taste. It’s a handcrafted treat that tastes delicious. ❤️

It is often sold along the street and has a distinctive smell of sweet coconut and burnt banana leaves.

If you’re driving up north, you’ll see a lot of tupig. Watch out for the signs.😃

The good thing about tupig is that it uses brown sugar. As you very well know, brown sugar is a lot better than white sugar.

How Do You Make Filipino Tupig Food?

There are many varieties of tupig, as well as many different cooking methods.

The traditional way of cooking tupig is over a live charcoal grill.

The traditional way of cooking tupig is over a live charcoal grill.

Aside from rice, one of the main ingredients is coconut milk. Add to that some shredded coconut meat.

Tupig is cooked when it is browned and toasted. It becomes very chewy with a very sweetish flavor. It’s best served hot.

Tupig is cooked when it is browned and toasted.  It becomes very chewy with a very sweetish flavor. It’s best served hot.

To make some tupig, you will need some banana leaves for wrapping it.

The banana leaves also add some natural flavor to the tupig.

They make the tupig smell good as well.

You will also need some brown sugar, glutinous rice, melted butter, coconut milk, and brown sugar.

The ingredients are pretty simple and you can get them anywhere.

If you’re a Filipino living outside the country, maybe in Canada, you can still make some tupig to satisfy your craving.

You can get the ingredients in any Asian store.

Here’s a simple tupig recipe for folks who are missing this native delicacy.

Prepare three cups of glutinous rice flour and put it in a mixing bowl. No need to sift.

Then measure one and a half cups of brown sugar and mix it with the glutinous rice. Mix them together.

Add in a can of coconut milk. Then mix the batter, which will eventually be pretty sticky.

Add in the half cup of melted butter. Mix again.

Then, finally, add in the grated coconut meat for that tasty crunch. Mix again.

Watch the video below to see how to wrap the tupig.

There’s no need for you to feel homesick for tupig. You can make it even if you’re in Canada.😁

How Do You Reheat Tupig?

Reheating tupig is pretty easy. I unwrap it from the banana leaf and heat it up in the microwave. It still tastes good.

I usually buy a lot of tupig, especially if I’m up in the north.

It’s one of those food stuff I can’t come home without. Even my son loves tupig.

I have never had any issues with reheating it.

Even if I reheat it in the microwave days after I have bought it, it still tastes pretty fresh.

Tupig is best eaten hot with some coffee or tea.

Tupig is best eaten hot with some coffee or tea.

How Long Can Tupig Last?

In general, it can last up to three days. Just make sure to put it in the refrigerator.

Although some say that you can keep it for about two weeks, but I wouldn’t count on it.

I think it’s better to consume it before that to make sure it doesn’t go to waste.

Now that you know what the taste of tupig is, don’t forget to buy some or better yet, try making it at home. 😄