Happyfoodies have been loyal customers and fans of Ritual Philippines since it started out in its original location, the now defunct and demolished The Collective along Malugay Street in Makati. It was a bit of a homecoming of sorts visiting them now in another location, this time along Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) in front of New World Hotel and finding more of the stuff that provokes our collective curiosities.
Now that the holiday season is upon us, it was as good a reason as any to drop by and looking around the shop. If you’re a conscientious shopper or consumer, you’d be happy to find rather unique merchandise on the floor. Not only that, your purchase is helping support local communities and coops around the Philippines instead of being siphoned off to the multinationals’ coffers. Anyway, one of the items that piqued our curiosity was the 3 bottle Philippine Vinegar Discovery set. You might say it’s weird or farfetched as far as gifts are concerned but we think it’s a nice way for a foodie to taste a sampling of the wealth of flavors our local foods has to offer. In this case, it’s interesting (and delicious) to try another kind of vinegar apart from the usual and everyday, commercially-available and bottled variety. It’s also a nice way to discover our food heritage while enjoying the experience of pairing a particular variety to the regional cuisine. The three bottle set is comprised of Sukang Iloco from Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Sukang Sasa from Infanta, Quezon; and Suka sa Lubi from Silago, Southern Leyte.
Sukang Iloco is made from fresh sugarcane and best paired with what else, bagnet, Vigan longganisa and empanada. Sukang Sasa is fermented vinegar from the nectar of the nipa palm fermented for close to a year. Pair it with your pansit habhab (noodles topped with crunchy lechon kawali) among other Quezon favorites. Last but not the least, Sukang Lubi is coconut cider. You can use it as a dip or as we discovered, as a local substitute for apple cider as a digestive aid. The set is packed in a reusable muslin bag ready for giving away (P200 per set).
Then again, Ritual Philippines is also known for other tasty curiosities — say, different kinds of sea salts; condiments; semi and unpolished rice, among many gifting possibilities (Their non-food items are interesting as well running the gamut of organic soaps, biodegradable cleaners, knick-knacks).
Ritual Philippines 2nd Floor, Languages International Bldg., 926 Arnaiz Ave., Makati Store hours: 11AM-8PM, Tuesday to Saturday Email [email protected] • Call (02) 734 5486
Facebook: /ritualph
Order online at https://ritualph.myshopify.com/
