Savoring Antipolo's tasty 'kasoy'

(Photo by Darwin Pesco, OJT)

 MANILA -- Aside from its magnificent Antipolo Cathedral (also known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage), which is a must-see place for Filipinos planning to visit or work abroad, the city's tasty "kasoy" (cashew nuts) is one of the reasons why local tourists prefer to flock to this hilly destination - located some 21 kilometers from Manila.

Incidentally, "kasoy" is one of the mainstay of Antipolo's "Sumakah Festival", which is the contraction of the popular "suman" (rice cake), "kasoy" and the "hamaka", which is described as a form of transportation using the "duyan" (hammock).

"Kasoy" is derived from the Portuguese "acaju", "acajuiba" or "cajueiro" which comes from Indian words acaju or acajou, based on Doreen Fernandez’s book, “Fruits of the Philippines”.

Many "kasoy" stores are found around downtown Antipolo, near the cathedral, aside from the two long lines of stalls near the Sumulong Highway just before the Antipolo City Public Market.

For vendor Sol Retereza, 52, the delicious and exotic taste of "kasoy" is the reason why local tourists are always touring around the city.

Cashew nuts in Antipolo are typically sold at PHP50 per small glass.

Prices go up depending on the size of the container.

"Kasoy" also sell much faster during the holidays, according to 35-year-old Victor Tejano.

He also added that the "kasoy" he sells are sourced from Palawan, Batangas, and Bataan.

“Cashew nuts are so delicious that is why they continue to come back for it. Sometimes, it comes in various flavors like adobo, garlic and barbecue," 21-year-old Janeth Dungo said. Also, she added that there is a slump on selling the exotic nuts during weekdays.

“Many people return here frequently because the cashew nuts taste good. We have flavors like adobo and plain ones. These are the bestsellers,” Tina Bitong, 60, said.

She added that her product is sourced from Vietnam.

Her view on the tastiness of the "kasoy" is also shared by fellow vendor, Lucy Tolentino, 57.

“The cashew nuts here are delicious. This is what Antipolo is known for. This is what tourists are looking for when they come here,” she added. ( By Priam Nepomuceno / With reports from Darwin C. Pesco, OJT/PNA)