Travels and Dining of Jerry around the Philippines

Tahô is a Philippine  snack food made of fresh soft/silken  tofu , arnibal (brown sugar  and vanilla  syrup), and pearl sago (similar to pearl tapioca ). This staple comfort food is a signature sweet and can be found all over the country. The Indonesian and Malaysian  equivalent of this dish is Tahu.

History

Through early records, it is evident that tahô traces its origin to the Chinese douhua. Prior to the Spanish  Colonization, Chinese were common traders with the natives, influencing Philippine cuisine .

Processing and preparation

Most tahô 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," purchased from the local market or palengke, are boiled to a gummy consistency until they are a transluscent white.

Marketing

The Magtatahô (taho vendor) is a common sight in the Philippines. A magtatahô carries two large aluminum  buckets that hang from each end of yoke. One of the buckets (the larger one) carries the tofu base; the other, smaller bucket holds the arnibal and sago "pearls".

Tahô vendors  peddle their product in a distinctive 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 magtatahô keep a habitual route, it is not uncommon for vendors to call out "Tahoooooô!" 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 magtatahô 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.

In Baguio, there is also a strawberry variety of taho, wherein strawberry syrup is used instead of arnibal. Other varieties are in chocolate and buko pandan  flavor.

Eating

Most magtataho carry plastic cups for their product, often 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 or tapioca "pearls" and arnibal into the cup, loosely mixing it in.

Tahô is enjoyed either with a spoon or by simply slurping it straight 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.