Aside from its magnificent tourist attractions, wonderful sights, elegant hotels and pristine beaches, Cebu is also host to a number of gastronomic treats. One of which is the masareal – a known delicacy, which originated from Mandaue City.
These sweet nibbles come in rectangular bars and are wrapped in paper. Made from peanuts and sugar syrup, Masareal is a delightful treat for kids and sweets-loving adults. In fact, this is a favorite delicacy for balikbayans to bring back abroad. Today, masareal is sold in various shapes and designs. They come in fancy silhouettes and contours.
Masareal is not readily available for our kababayans abroad. Apparently, no one exports Masareal. Guess they will just have to ask for their relatives in the Philippines to send them Masareal.
However, you can make your own Masareal by following these simple steps:
Prepare a kilo of peanuts, a cup of sugar and a cup of water. Place the unshelled peanuts in a pot full of water, and let the water boil. When the peanuts are cooked, let it cool down. Thereafter, shell the peanuts and grind them fine.
Prepare your sugar syrup by mixing the sugar and water in a pot over the stove. Once the syrup thickens, put the ground peanuts. Continue stirring the mixture until it becomes thick.
Afterwards, pour the thick concoction over a thin baking sheet. Flatten and even out the surface, and let it cool down. Lastly, cut them into rectangular strips, and voila! You now have your own Masareal.
Cebu is famous for its mangoes. Sweet, delicious, juicy – once you’ve tasted Cebu’s mangoes, it will leave you wanting for more.
Mangoes are abundant in Cebu. Cebu’s mangoes are the most recognizable in the country and have a high demand for export worldwide.
Mangoes can be eaten raw, cooked, frozen, preserved or dried. They can be used for confectioneries, ice cream, sherbet, bakery products and can be a good source of juice (I LOVE mango juice!). The demand for processed mango is increasing as can be seen in the proliferation of mango products in groceries and supermarkets.
Mangoes are great for dessert or snacks. You can satisfy your sweet tooth and also stay healthy! Mangoes are a good source of vitamins A, B and C.
So if you want to beat the summer heat, a nice, cold fresh ripe mango would enthrall your senses. Especially if you just happen to eat this by the beach! Mangoes are very succulent – its juicy sweetness and high water content makes it so refreshing to eat. They also have a chewy consistency which allows you to thoroughly enjoy its sweetness through every bite and burst of its juice in your mouth. Its sweet taste lingers.
Mangoes can be used for ice cream, salad, or as toppings for your oatmeal or cereal. One of my old-time favorites is the Mango Float. Mangoes, cream and Graham? …Aaah. Heaven.
THERE’S MORE!
Another famous delicacy Cebu is known for is the world-famous Cebu dried mangoes. In the Philippines, dried mangoes for export are mostly processed in Cebu.
Cebu’s dried mangoes are tasty, chewy, nutritious and convenient to bring along. The ripe, sun-dried mangoes are a great snack to bring to work or to outings with family and friends. Dried mangoes have also become popular pasalubongs (gifts) to share with friends and family outside the country. So if you want to share a taste of Cebu to someone in Manila or another province, or to friends and relatives living in the West or anywhere in the world, Cebu’s dried mangoes are an excellent treat. It will definitely be a thoughtful and sweet gift they will never forget.
