Que Rica Pili Nuts Plain

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

These Que Ricca Pili Nuts Plain are activated pili nuts in their purest form. Activated (or sprouted) pili nuts are soaked in salt water, breaking down the phytic acid and the enzyme inhibitors to release the nut’s full nutritional potential.

These pili nuts are unseasoned, and are as natural as you can get. They have an almost smooth and creamy texture, with a pale color. Rich and buttery in flavor, it’s light-tasting, with a subtle snap but a soft chew. Some people would say it tastes somewhere between macadamia and cashew, but is unique—stronger and more tender.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

The Que Rica Pili Nuts Plain can be eaten on their own as a snack. They can also be candied, which is a popular way to enjoy them. Simply fry them in vegetable oil until they’re lightly golden, then add in some sugar, and make sure to coat all of the pili nuts in the caramelized sugar. Serve!

These plain pili nuts can also be used in baking; they’re great for cookies, cakes, and brownies. You can also chop them up and use them to top your smoothies, granola bowls, salads, and pastas.

BICOL’S BEST

Pili nuts are arguably Bicol region’s most famous product. Bicol is the largest producer of pili nuts in the Philippines, with almost 85% of the country’s production coming from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. The pili tree is a resilient tree, able to withstand most changes in its surroundings, can survive floods and strong winds, and can recover easily from typhoons. Sold as fresh whole fruit, shelled kernels, or dried nuts, pili is a popular pasalubong. Sellers have taken on different ways to make them marketable, the most popular being its candied form.

Que Rica is one such seller. The eponymous brand of Le Cordon Bleu Paris-trained chef, Rica Dakudao Buenaflor, aims to elevate regional heritage foods to new heights. She moved to her husband’s native Bicol in the early 2000s, and headed the R&D department of the Bicolano-Spanish restaurant “¿Que Pasa?” in Naga City. She also pioneered the collective called #BestofBicol, which aims to promote the region’s best.

The brand is filled with inspired and inspiring individuals, empowered to shine a spotlight on Bicol’s culinary heritage. They partner with a community of women in Gainza, Camarines Sur for their bottled products, and their pili nuts come from farmers in Irosin, Sorsogon. All of their offerings are hand-packed right at the source, ensuring quality and reflecting the respect and love the community has for its food and its customers.

Storage Instructions

Store in a dry area, away from direct sunlight. Consume within 6-8 months.