Sago’t Gulaman from the Philippines
Sago’t Gulaman is a drink that instantly makes you grin when the tropical heat in the Philippines won’t stop. This sweet brown sugar syrup, wobbling gelatin (gulaman), and chewy tapioca pearls (sago) are the perfect cure for a sunny day. It’s easier than you might think to recreate this real, refreshing experience at home, and it will give you a real taste of Filipino refreshment.
Making Your Refreshing Treat
Getting the Sago and Gulaman just right
The two textures of Sago’t Gulaman are what make it special. First, you need to cook the sago pearls very carefully. When you boil small tapioca pearls, they usually become entirely clear and soft, with no hard white center. After cooking, they are washed well in cold water to keep them from sticking and then left aside. Next, get the gulaman (agar-agar) ready. Agar-agar powder is mixed with water, usually with a little bit of food coloring like red or brown, and then cooked until it dissolves and sliced into little cubes as it hardens that are easy to eat. This gives the drink a fun, wobbling texture.
The Assembly and Rich Brown Sugar Syrup
The sweet taste of this meal comes from the brown sugar syrup that was produced by hand. To prepare this, you usually boil dark brown sugar until caramel-like liquid. Some recipes call for adding a the leaf of pandan while the food is being prepared to make it smell nicer and give it that special Southeast Asian flavor.
Endnote
Sago’t Gulaman is the perfect Filipino cool-down. It has a great mix of textures and a sweet taste that makes you feel good. Anyone can prepare true Filipino food at home if they know how to make the chewy sago and the thick brown sugar syrup. Just get these easy-to-find substances and have a real taste of tropical delight during the heat.
