Last week, foodie pal VernonP arrived at the ‘orfanage’ for a meeting with three boxes of pastillas he promised during one of our weekend food trips. They came nicely packed in white boxes with “Dulceria Angela†printed on the lid.
Pastillas de Leche are one of my favourite native sweets or delicacies. Pastillas (milk candy) in the
Philippines must have been influenced by the Spaniards posted here during the colonization. Pastillas, usually of milk and sugar, are boiled together until thickened, cooled and formed by rolling into mini logs that are again rolled in granulated sugar before they are individually wrapped in cut sheets of paper and cellophane. The best pastillas during my childhood used to come from Bulacan brought by my parents or relatives traveling fromManila to the province.
Dulceria Angela in Balayan, Batangas, started as a small business during the Japanese period and has been operating formally as a full time business for the past three years and run by the family’s third generation pastillas makers.
Dulceria Angela’s pastillas are a sight to see and wonderful treats to savour. Each box costs Php150.00 and contains 72 pieces of four different flavours – Pastillas De Ube, the classic Pastillas De Leche, Pastillas De Patatas, and Pastillas De Nangka each wrapped in cellophane of four different colours: green, yellow, red, and blue!
The moment you unwrap a piece, a demure nibble at the soft candy then becomes a pop into the mouth and before you know it, you’ve already consumed half the contents of the box. Yummy!
Dulceria Angela uses evaporated milk, sugar and natural flavourings for their pastillas like real ube (purple yam), nangka (jackfruit), and patatas (potatoes). There are no artificial extenders used therefore assuring consumers of only the best product.
Dulceria Angela Pastillas and Halea De Ube (another product I have yet to try) are only currently available at their Batangas store at 150 Fe Street, Balayan Batangas, telephone numbers (043) 2114265, 9217521, (0917) 3736575. It is recommended to call in advance to make reservations for items you wish to purchase and pick up.
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