Camiguin
Foods
Lanzones
Mostly unknown in the West, the lanzones
( Lansium domesticum Corr.) are popular all throughout Southeast
Asia. Called duku in Indonesia and lang-sat in Thailand, they
are an exceedingly sweet and slightly sour taste.
But beware, one must be careful not to bite
into the bitter seed! Export potential is limited because
the fruit perishes easily after ripening and the skin exudes
milky latex which is messy to the hands and lips.
The 3 most common varieties in the Philippines
are "Paete", "Camiguin", and "Jolo"
cultivars. Pictured here is the sweetest of them all, the
Camiguin variety which comes from the island province of the
same name. Note the swarm of ants partaking of the sugary
nectar. That's how sweet this fruit is! Definitely one of
the favorites, ranked alongside the Cebu mangoes and the durian.
Pastel
Pastel, is a sweet delicacy from the paradise
island of Camiguin in Northern Mindanao. These are soft, fragrant
and sweet buns filled with the original yema (made mostly
of milk, eggs and sugar) or any other flavors that gives this
delicacy that makes the food melts in your mouth.
Boxes of 6 are sold at stores in Camiguin
towns or at the shopping centers of Cagayan de Oro for about
P50 and Boxes for 12 at around P120. It’s a hit pasalubong
for anyone craving for sweets and anything Camiguin or CdeO
(of course don’t forget the lanzones and the pineapple).
