Sakurab is either a relative of the scallion (Allium fistulosum L.) or a white variant of the wild leek ( Allium ampeloprasum). There have been journals discussing its growth patterns [1] and potential usage as an ingredient in a healthy beverage [2] with evidence to support either view. It is a traditional food seasoning in the Philippines, used in the traditional cuisines in the islands of Mindanao and the Visayas where it is commonly known as sibujing.
Sakurab resembles a scallion having bulb at its base, a white stalk, and a fan of slender green leaves as well as an intense aroma and flavor [2] reminiscent of shallots. It grows natively in the Lanao provinces of Mindanao in the Philippines, mostly commonly in cities and towns around Lake Lanao, and is sold by Maranao merchants in areas where it is desired but not commonly grown.
The most common use for sakurab is in the ubiquitous Maranao condiment palapa, in which it is used in its entirety along with chili peppers, garlic, salt, ginger, and coconut flakes (if dry palapa) or coconut milk (if wet palapa). It can be eaten in its raw form as a side dish [3] [4] [5] or added as an ingredient for another dish such as piaparan . The flavor of sakurab has been described as similar to scallions and shallots, but richer; half of one stem of sakurab is enough to cover the need for a full piece of a scallion.
Sakurab has been found to contain at least 3 times as much sugar compared to other species of Allium ampeloprasum, containing 18.33g of sugar per 210g following a Brix test while other species contained about 5.9g of sugar per 210g. [2] This makes it much easier to utilize the nutritional benefits of the plant when mixing it with fruit juices to give it a more pleasant means of ingestion. In the highest concentrations tested (250g of sakurab mixed with juices), the apple juice formulation was most enjoyed for its taste and aroma, while the lemon juice formulation was most enjoyed for its color and texture. [2]
The shallot is a botanical variety of the onion. Until 2010, the shallot was classified as a separate species, Allium ascalonicum. The taxon was synonymized with Allium cepa in 2010, as the difference was too small to justify a separate species.
Malay cuisine is the traditional food of the ethnic Malays of Southeast Asia, residing in modern-day Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Southern Thailand and the Philippines as well as Cocos Islands, Christmas Island, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
Scallions are vegetables derived from various species in the genus Allium. Scallions generally have a milder taste than most onions and their close relatives include garlic, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onions.
The Maranao people, also spelled Meranao, Maranaw, and Mëranaw, is a predominantly Muslim Filipino ethnic group native to the region around Lanao Lake in the island of Mindanao. They are known for their artwork, weaving, wood, plastic and metal crafts and epic literature, the Darangen. They are ethnically and culturally closely related to the Iranun, and Maguindanaon, all three groups being denoted as speaking Danao languages and giving name to the island of Mindanao. They are grouped with other Moro people due to their shared religion.
Noodle soup refers to a variety of soups with noodles and other ingredients served in a light broth. Noodle soup is a common dish across East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Himalayan states of South Asia. Various types of noodles are used, such as rice noodles, wheat noodles and egg noodles.
The generic term for condiments in the Filipino cuisine is sawsawan. Unlike sauces in other Southeast Asian regions, most sawsawan are not prepared beforehand, but are assembled on the table according to the preferences of the diner.
Chili sauce and chili paste are condiments prepared with chili peppers.
Siling labuyo is a small chili pepper cultivar that developed in the Philippines after the Columbian Exchange. It belongs to the species Capsicum frutescens and is characterized by triangular fruits which grow pointing upwards. The fruits and leaves are used in traditional Philippine cuisine. The fruit is pungent, ranking at 80,000 to 100,000 heat units in the Scoville Scale.
Haitian cuisine consists of cooking traditions and practices from Haiti. It is a Creole cuisine that originates from a blend of several culinary styles that populated the western portion of the island of Hispaniola, namely African, French, indigenous Taíno, Spanish and Arab influences. Haitian cuisine has some similarities with "criollo" cooking and similar to the rest of the Latin Caribbean, but differs in several ways from its regional counterparts. Flavors are bold and spicy demonstrating African and French influences, with notable derivatives coming from native Taíno and Spanish techniques.
Javanese cuisine is the cuisine of Javanese people, a major ethnic group in Indonesia, more precisely the province of Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java.
Bumbu is the Indonesian word for a blend of spices and for pastes made from these blends, and it commonly appears in the names of spice mixtures, sauces and seasoning pastes. The official Indonesian language dictionary describes bumbu as "various types of herbs and plants that have a pleasant aroma and flavour — such as ginger, turmeric, galangal, nutmeg and pepper — used to enhance the flavour of the food."
Sambal is an Indonesian chilli sauce or paste, typically made from a mixture of a variety of chilli peppers with secondary ingredients such as shrimp paste, garlic, ginger, shallot, scallion, palm sugar, and lime juice. Sambal is an Indonesian loanword of Javanese origin. It originated from the culinary traditions of Indonesia and is also an integral part of the cuisines of Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Sri Lanka. It has also spread through overseas Indonesian populations to the Netherlands and Suriname.
Pastil, or pastel, is a Filipino packed rice dish made with steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves with dry shredded beef, chicken, or fish. It originates from the Maguindanaon and is a popular, cheap breakfast meal in Mindanao, especially among Muslim Filipinos. Pastil is also known as patil, patel, patir, or pater in Maranao; and paster in Iranun.
Palapa is a sweet and spicy Filipino condiment consisting of thinly chopped white scallions (sakurab), pounded ginger, turmeric (kalawag), labuyo chili, and toasted grated coconut (niog). It originates from the Maranao people of Lanao del Sur. The ingredients are mixed together and cooked briefly or cooked until somewhat dry. It is immediately stored in sealed jars (garapon) after cooking. It can be used as an ingredient in certain dishes or used as a condiment after briefly sautéing. Palapa can also be eaten fresh as salad dressing. Palapa is an important cultural symbol of the Maranao people and is a ubiquitous accompaniment at every meal.
Piaparan, also known as pipaparan, piaran, or piarun, is a Filipino dish consisting of meat or seafood cooked in a coconut milk-based broth with grated coconut, garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric, young wild shallots (sakurab), labuyo chili, and various vegetables and spiced with palapa. It originates from the Maranao people of Lanao del Sur. Piaparan means "shredded coconut" in Maranao and is a type of ginataan.
Kuning, also spelled koning, kyuning, or kiyuning and Anglicized as yellow rice or turmeric rice, is a Filipino rice dish cooked with turmeric, lemongrass, salt, bay leaves, and other spices to taste. It originates from the island of Mindanao and is a staple food among the Maranao people of Lanao del Sur. It is related to the Indonesian nasi kuning of neighboring Sulawesi, but it does not use coconut milk. The dish is characteristically yellow because of the use of turmeric.
Acehnese cuisine is the cuisine of the Acehnese people of Aceh in Sumatra, Indonesia. This cuisine is popular and widely known in Indonesia. Arab, Persian, and Indian traders influenced food in Aceh although flavours have substantially changed their original forms. The spices combined in Acehnese cuisine are commonly found in Indian and Arab cuisine, such as ginger, pepper, coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and fennel. A variety of Acehnese food is cooked with curry or coconut milk, which is generally combined with meat such as buffalo, beef, goat meat, lamb, mutton, fish, or chicken.
