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RP Issues of 2013

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2013, April 15.  Edible Nuts and Seeds of the Philippines

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf 14

Se-tenant Blocks of 4, Miniature Sheets of 16;  Souvenir Sheets of 4

          

 

 

Se-tenant Blocks of Four (26,000)

10p  Kasoy (Cashew Nut)

10p  Pili (Pili Nut)

10p  Butong Pakwan (Watermelon Seed)

10p  Mani (Peanut)

 

Miniature Sheets of 16  (6,500)

 

40p Souvenir Sheets of Four (5,000)

10p Butong Mirasol (Sunflower Seed)

10p Munggo (Mongo Bean)

10p Kapeng Baraco (Coffee Bean)

10p Buto ng Kalabasa (Squash See)

 

 

First Day Covers:  Manila

 

 

 

EDIBLE NUTS AND SEEDS OF THE PHILIPPINES

 

KASOY (CASHEW NUT).  Delicately sweet yet crunchy and delicious cashew nut is packed with energy, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are essential for robust health! Cashew tree bears numerous, edible, pear shaped false fruits or “accessory fruits'” called "cashew apples." A small bean shaped, grey color “true-fruit” is firmly adhering to lower end of these cashew-apples appearing like a clapper in the bell.  Cashew nut measures about an inch in length and 1/2 inches in diameter with kidney or bean shape, and smooth curvy pointed tip. Each nut has two equal halves as in legumes. The nuts are cream white color with the firm yet delicate texture and smooth surface. Cashews have buttery texture with a pleasant sweet fruity aroma.  http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cashew_nut.html 

PILI NUT.  Canarium ovatum, commonly known as pili is a species of tropical tree belonging to the genus Canarium.  . Pili are native to maritime Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and Northern Australia. They are commercially cultivated in the Philippines for their edible nuts.  Although they are grown as ornamental trees in many areas, only the Philippines produces and processes pili nuts commercially. Production centers are located in the Bicol region, provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, and Camarines Sur, southern Tagalog, and eastern Visaya. Nutritionally, the kernel is high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, and rich in fats and protein.         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pili_nut

BUTONG PAKWAN (WATERMELON SEED).   Watermelon seeds are full of essential nutrients and various health benefits can be derived from them. Watermelon seeds have been used for various culinary and medicinal purposes.  Watermelon seeds are packed with nutrients including fatty acids, essential proteins and lots of minerals. Around 100 gram of watermelon seeds provide around 600 calories same as having 10 loaves of bread. Around 400 calories come from fats in watermelon seeds.  Watermelon seeds are good source of vitamin B like Thiamin, niacin, folate.  Watermelon seeds are rich in minerals like magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, Zinc, Iron, potassium and Copper. Watermelon seeds are also good source of dietary fibers which are essential for healthy bowel movements and digestion.  http://valuefood.info/Natural-Food/Nutrition-Health-Benefits-Fruits/health-benefits-of-watermelon-seeds.html

MANI (PEANUT).    The peanut, or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), is a species in the legume or "bean" family. The peanut was probably first domesticated and cultivated in the valleys of Paraguay.  It is an annual herbaceous plant growing 30 to 50 cm (1.0 to 1.6 ft) tall. The leaves are opposite, pinnate with four leaflets (two opposite pairs; no terminal leaflet), each leaflet is 1 to 7 cm (⅜ to 2¾ in) long and 1 to 3 cm (⅜ to 1 inch) broad.  Peanuts are rich in nutrients, providing over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Peanuts are a good source of niacin, folate, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium and phosphorus. They also are naturally free of trans-fats and sodium, and contain about 25% protein (a higher proportion than in any true nut).  Peanuts can be boiled and sold still in their shells, or fried with lots of garlic chips.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut#Nutritional_value 

BUTONG MIRASOL (SUNFLOWER SEED).  The sunflower seed is the fruit of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The term "sunflower seed" is actually a misnomer when applied to the seed in its pericarp (hull). Botanically speaking, it is more properly referred to as an achene.  When dehulled, the edible remainder is called the sunflower kernel or heart. In addition to providing linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), sunflower seeds are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, some amino acids (especially tryptophan), vitamin E, several B vitamins (especially thiamine, pantothenic acid, and folic acid).  Additionally, they are rich in cholesterol-lowering  phytosterols.  Furthermore, sunflower seeds boast a low glycemic index as well as high levels of protein and minerals including magnesium and copper. However, they are also very high in omega-6 fatty acid, which has been linked to inflammation (when consumed in excess and without omega-3 fatty acid to balance).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower_seed#Nutritional_value

MUNGGO (MONGO BEAN).  The mung or moong bean (also known as green gram or golden gram or pesalu in Telugu) is the seed of Vigna radiata,  native to the Indian subcontinent  and mainly cultivated in China, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, Bangladesh and India, but also in hot and dry regions of Southern Europe and the Southern United States.  It is used as a foodstuff in both savoury and sweet dishes.  They are small, ovoid in shape, and green in color.  In the Philippines, savory dish called ginisang monggo (known in English as 'sautéed mung bean', 'mung bean stew', or 'mung bean soup'), also known as mongo guisado or simply balatong/monggos, is made of whole mung beans with shrimp or fish.  It is traditionally served on Friday evenings, as the majority of the Filipino population are Roman Catholics and abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Ginisang monggo can also be made with chicken or pork. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mung_bean

KAPENG BARAKO (COFFEE BEAN).  Kape Barako, also spelled Baraco (English: Barako coffee) is a coffee varietal grown in the Philippines, particularly in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite. The term is also used to refer to all coffee coming from those provinces. Barako is the Filipino term for a male stud of an animal, and has become associated with the image of a tough man.  The first Barako tree was a cutting from Brazil planted in the 1800s in Barangay Pinagtung-Ulan, Batangas by the Macasaet family.  Barako coffee has strong taste, flavor, and has a distinctively pungent aroma. All coffee grown in Batangas is generically called Barako.  Kape Barako is prepared using a drip brewing device, French press, or by simply pouring hot water unto the grounds and filtering the mixture using a piece of cloth. Barako is best sweetened with honey or brown sugar.  Barako can be used to make espresso and other espresso-based drinks.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapeng_barako

BUTO NG KALABASA (SQUASH / PUMPKIN SEED).  The hulled or semi-hulled seeds of pumpkins can be roasted and eaten as a snack, similar to the sunflower seed. Pumpkin seeds can be prepared for eating by first separating them from the orange pumpkin flesh, then coating them in a generally salty sauce, after which the seeds are distributed upon a baking sheet, and then cooked in an oven at a relatively low temperature for a long period of time.  Squash/Pumpkin seeds are a good source of iron, zinc, essential fatty acids, potassium, and magnesium. Pumpkin seeds may also promote prostate health since components in pumpkin seed oil appears to interrupt the triggering of prostate cell multiplication by testosterone and DHT.   Removing the white hull of the pumpkin seed reveals an edible, green-colored seed inside.  http://dcookingmudra.blogspot.com/2007/10/buto-ng-kalabasa-pumpkin-seeds.html

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

 

  • Beans & Seeds

  • Flowers

  • Fruits

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak

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