Espasol (Sweet Rice Cake)

{First up, let me thank Ms. Willa of Food Trip Friday for choosing my Pinakbet as the Featured Food of the Week.}

My friend Anne hailed from San Rafael, Bulacan. She now lives in Metro Manila with her Aunt because of our work, so there were times when she would miss her family. One time she went home in Bulacan, she brought us some espasol as pasalubong, and all of us at the restaurant where we used to work loved it. It was very tasty and it had a different taste compared to those being sold on the streets. I got to ask her to buy me some for my family last Christmastime, but even if I forgot to bring home the espasol the day Anne gave them to me and it had to wait for one more day before I was able to take it home, my family still loved it despite it's already "hardened" stage, because I left it in the restaurant's chiller.

Now that we both resigned at the restaurant, we seldom see each other, but we are still good friends. Whenever she would tell me she would travel back to Manila, I would always ask to bring some espasol, and last week, she bought me two boxes.





Espasol is a Filipino cake which originated in the province of Laguna. It’s made in coconut milk, shredded coconut, sugar and glutinous rice flour and dust it with sweet rice flour. Like most native delicacies, it is difficult to stir so much love is needed when making this.

Like what's printed on the box, this was made by Tessie's. Their factory is just near Anne's place, so whenever she buys some, I am sure that she gets the freshest espasol. Each box costs about 100php, and each box has about 48 pieces inside. My family loves it so much and my mom eats it like she was eating popcorn. My brother want to share this to his girlfriend living in Cagayan de oro, but Anne said the manufacturer only makes the espasol if they have a bulk order, so it's always not certain that I can get her to buy some whenever she travels back to Bulacan. I am just thankful that this time, Tessie's had an order and their family just added some more to the order.

Jesz