Puto Bumbong: A Festive Filipino Favorite

Photo Source: https://booky.ph/biz/manam-sm-north-edsa/about/

A soft, sticky purple rice delicacy steamed to perfection, topped with coconut, butter, and muscovado sugar. A holiday treat worth savoring all year round!

What is a Puto Bumbong?

• It is a well-loved Filipino delicacy which is traditionally served during Christmas. It's prepared using steamed purple glutinous rice inside a bamboo tube, so it looks quite purple and soft in the mouth with a chewy texture. The tube is referred to as “bumbong ng kawayan” in Filipino. This might have been the reason why this was named as such. This is topped with butter, fresh grated coconut, and muscovado sugar. So the taste is sweet, soft, and comforting-a must during special occasions like Christmas.

How to make a Puto Bumbong?

Key Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups sticky purple rice

• 1 1/3 cups glutinous white rice malagkit

• 2/3 cup long grain purple rice

• 6 cups water for soaking the rice

• 3/4 cups muscovado sugar

• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated coconut

• 1/2 cup softened butter

Equipment's: 

• Bamboo Tubes (bumbong)

• Steamer

• Grater

• Wooden or Stainless Steel Scraper

• Mixing Bowls

• Banana Leaves

• Small Brush or Cloth

• Serving Plates

Instructions:

1. Combine all types of rice in a large mixing bowl. Pour water. Soak for 2 days.

2. Drain the water by pouring the contents of the bowl into a large sieve.

3. Put the soaked rice in a large food processor. Start to grind the rice until it becomes very fine. Note: It took me around 10 minutes to achieve this consistency.

4. Fill your puto bumbong steamer with water halfway through. Apply heat and then let the water boil.

5. Meanwhile, fill each bumbong (bamboo tube) with powdered rice. Note: Do not compress the rice so that steam can pass easily.

6. Once the water starts to boil rapidly, arrange each bamboo tube on the steamer. Continue to cook until steam comes out of the tube.

7. Remove the tube from the steamer. Arrange the contents over a piece of banana leaf. Spread butter all over and then top with freshly grated coconut and muscovado sugar.

Conclusion:

Puto Bumbong is a beloved Filipino delicacy that brings warmth and joy to any occasion. With its chewy texture and sweet toppings, it’s a festive treat perfect for both holiday celebrations and year-round enjoyment.

References:

           Manam - SM City North EDSA, Quezon City | Booky. (n.d.). Booky Manila. https://booky.ph/biz/manam-sm-north-edsa/about/

               Merano, V. (2018, September 2). Puto bumbong recipe. Panlasang Pinoy. https://panlasangpinoy.com/puto-bumbong-recipe/