Text 22706, 95 rader
Skriven 2007-11-13 18:26:00 av JIM WELLER (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av DALE SHIPP
Ärende: Street food 1
=====================
-=> Quoting Dale Shipp to Jim Weller <=-

 JW> One of my recent projects has been researching street food and
 JW> snacks around the world. This is one of the things i can up with....

 DS> Interesting -- keep it up.

MMMMM-----Meal-Master - formatted by MMCONV  2.10

     Title: Taho
Categories: Filipino, Snacks, Desserts, Info
  Servings: 1 text file

           silken tofu
           brown sugar
           sago pearls

Taho is a Philippine snack food made of fresh soft/silken tofu,
arnibal (brown sugar syrup), and sago "pearls" (similar to tapioca
pearls). This staple comfort food is a signature sweet and can be
found all over the country.

The history of taho is debatable, but early records suggest it may
trace its origin to China. Prior to the Spanish Occupation, Chinese
were common traders with Filipinos, thus influencing Philippine
cuisine. As douhua is fairly similar in consistency to the taho
base, it is thought that early Filipinos adopted, sweetened and used
it to create this delicacy.

Processing and preparation

Most taho vendors prepare their goods before dawn. The main
ingredient, fresh soft/silken tofu is processed to a consistency
that is very similar to a very fine custard. Brown sugar is then
heated and caramelized to create a viscous amber-colored syrup
called arnibal. Sago "pearls" are boiled to a gummy consistency
until they are a translucent white.

Marketing

The Magtataho or taho vendors are a common sight in the Philippines.
They are typically male and carry two large aluminum buckets that
hang from each end of a long wooden plank or yoke. These buckets are
made to fit the needs of a typical magtataho. One of the buckets has
a hinged lid in the center and carries nothing but the tofu base,
which comprises the bulk of the dessert; the other has a hinged lid
that divides the bucket diagonally into two compartments, with one
side containing the arnibal and the other containing sago "pearls".
Oftentimes, this bucket also has another smaller compartment near
the lid for keeping change. This contraption is carried on the
shoulders, not unlike a yoke, as the vendors ply their route.

Taho vendors peddle their product in a trademark manner, calling its
name in a full, rising inflection as they walk at a leisurely pace
either along the sidewalk or, in rural communities, in the middle of
the road. As most magtataho keep a habitual route, it is not
uncommon for vendors to call out "Tahooooo!" to attract a customer's
attention. Though vendors are most likely to ply their routes early
in the morning, it is not uncommon for a magtataho to be spotted in
the late afternoon or the evening as well. This is particularly
common in the heart of Manila, most particularly by Manila Bay.

Eating

Most magtataho carry plastic cups for their product, oftentimes in
two sizes (though vendors in residential communities tend to use
their customers' cups and price their product accordingly). Using a
wide, shallow metal "sandok" or scoop, they skim the surface of the
bean curd and toss out any excess water, subsequently scooping the
bean curd itself into a cup. Then, using a long thin metal ladle,
they scoop sago "pearls" and arnibal into the cup, loosely mixing it
in. Taho is enjoyed either with a spoon or by simply "drinking" it
from the cup. Though traditionally served warm, cold varieties exist
in supermarkets and in food stalls in cafeterias which have the bean
curd in a solid, unbroken state. These pre-packed cups tend to
contain a firmer tofu which need to be broken up and is sold either
with a plastic spoon or a wooden popsicle stick. Due to the increase
in popularity of taho over the years, its traditional form may also
be found in restaurants or at receptions with a native food theme. A
nationwide chain, "Uncle Finn's Soya" is also known for setting up
kiosks in mall openings or food courts, thus making the sweet treat
available all day.

From: Wikipedia
 
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Cheers

YK Jim


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