Take a look at the photo below of me and my son Jared. What is that I’m holding?
I would bet that the vast majority of you would say I am holding a coconut. Well, you are partially correct, but only partially.
I am holding Kalamay Hati, also known as simply Kalamay.
What is Kalamay? It’s a traditional Filipino snack that is traditionally from Bohol.
Feyma’s father was from Bohol, and as such, Feyma has a Bohol connection. During her childhood, her father brought Feyma and the rest of the family back to Bohol nearly every year. That’s the custom for Boholanos, they always bring their family back “home” during festival time, and it was no different for Feyma or her Siblings. As they went back to Bohol so often, Feyma has a real love for Kalamay.
What exactly is Kalamay?
Kalamay is, as I said, a traditional snack from Bohol. It is made with the following ingredients:
- Coconut Milk
- Glutinous Rice (ground into a flour type consistency)
- Brown Sugar
After it is cooked, Kalamay is poured in to an empty coconut shell, which has been split in half. After the Kalamay is in the coconut shell, the shell is re-sealed into one piece. After it cools down, it is ready for eating!
And, don’t be shy about eating Kalamay! It’s delicious, I promise. Because I’m diabetic, I can’t eat Kalamay too often, and when I do eat it, I have to do so in moderation, no doubt, but it is indeed delicious. Back when we first moved here, in 2000 until 2002, when we lived in GenSan, Feyma used to buy Kalamay pretty often, as it was readily available in GenSan. Since moving to Davao, you rarely see Kalamay in our house, because it is not often that you see it in the markets here in Davao. I’m not sure why, really, but it is somewhat rare here. In fact, I had forgotten about Kalamay until yesterday when Feyma came home from shopping and had a Kalamay with her.
Here’s a video of some people making Kalamay:
If you see Kalamay, buy one and give it a try. If I see them, it is usually at one of the fruit stands, so you might keep an eye out in such places.
Bob
Looks tasty, I would try that. It looks like somewhat like a sweet pudding.
It’s almost like a liquid caramel type flavor, Neal. It really is good.
Hi Bob, We visited Bohol a fewyears ago, and at the pier on the way home Iwas attracted to what was being sold as this local delicacy Kalamay
It came in a cute net bag for carrying, so I brought several. I found it overly sweet myself, but it was a much appreciated pasalubong for the family back in Cebu! Queenie
Hi Queenie – It is indeed very sweet, which is one of the reasons I have to avoid it! 😆
It does come in different containers, but I think the most common is in an empty coconut shell.
How much is the price of that kalamay?
That’s right Bob– this one had been poured into the half smoothed shell coconut, but then the empty top lid was placed back together and taped with a paper strip seal. Then the whole coconut was hung in a red palstic net bag. Made for a cute gift to carry back home. I love sweet snacks myself, but I think that Kalamay is kind of an acquired taste. 🙂
That’s right Bob– this one had been poured into the half smoothed shell coconut, but then the empty top lid was placed back together and taped with a paper strip seal. Then the whole coconut was hung in a red plastic net bag. Made for a cute gift to carry back home. I love sweet snacks myself, but I think that Kalamay is kind of an acquired taste. 🙂
Ha ha…. I misunderstood, queenie. I thought you meant it was int he red bag, but not in the coconut shell! 😆 Sorry about that.
sorry–came through twice..
Kalamay indeed is always available in Bohol. Specially, around Jagna… I get some everytime I’m in that area.
Boholano gyud ang kalamay, Mike! Pagkaon sa kalamay, pero gamay lang!
Inum kaba tuba?
Di ko inum ug tuba, Mike, kay di ko inum ug alcohol. Naginum kog tuba sa una, pero usa lang ka panahon.
Look at all the labor spent over the making of a snacks. 😉
Indeed, Roy, a lot of work goes into it! But, the results make the work worthwhile! 😆
Bob,
That looks like it would be good as a vanila ice cream topping lol. Thats for the good info. have a nice day.
You might just have a good idea there, PapaDuck! 😉
Hi there Bob! It’s great to read a nice article about Kalamay. Have you tried the one from Jagna, Bohol? I love it so much that I have written a hub about it.
Yes, I have had it, and it is quite good!
hi bob! are those for sale?is it the same as those sold in bohol?i mean in taste?
if so, how much per coconut shell?is there a way you can send it to me, through LBC, here in davao city? like i’ll pay you through lbc then you can send it to me…
my wife’s craving for those.
No, I am not selling Kalamay, I just wrote an article about it. Sorry.
yeah im sorry but maybe you have an idea how much is that kalamay if you don’t mind? i want to know the price of that kalamay because it really helps to my project us well
ok Bob tnx you..your a good writer
I’m very sorry, but I don’t recall the price.
Hi Bob
Do you know any site/place of where I can buy a kalamay here in America?
Sorry, I don’t know of any.
Oh okay! Thank you 😀
hello Bob, i dont know if this account is active,. True that kalamay is delicious,. I make kalamay, thats my business hehehe, the difference is that i put it in transparent container and top with sesame seeds.. Im here in Davao.
That’s great, len. Good luck with your business.
We used to live in Obrero, Davao city and I remember there was one vendor who goes around in a bicycle selling “kakanin” which includes a variation of the Kalamay but is somewhat purple in color. It looks like it was kalamay de ube with sprinkles ofcurdled coconut milk on top.