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SUMAN

Suman is a Filipino rice cake steamed in banana leaves.


The main ingredient of suman is the glutinous rice malagkit which is cooked with gata (coconut milk).


Among the many varieties are suman sa ibos and suman sa lihiya.



Peel off the leaves! Dip in brown sugar or a mixture of grated coconut and brown sugar. Enjoy!


Tip:  Because rice is susceptible to spoilage, eat suman on the day it is cooked or within a day or two at most. Store in a cool place. If you place leftover suman in the refrigerator, be prepared to gnaw on the hardened rice.



Food items from other countries that are similar to the suman of the Philippines:

Zong-zi (糭子) of China: made of glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves; cooked by steaming or boiling

Chimaki (ちまき) of Japan:  glutinous rice cake wrapped in a bamboo leaf; eaten  during the Kodomo no hi Festival in May

Bánh tro (banh u) of  Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam: sticky rice wrapped in a banana-leaf pouch

Tamales of Latin America:  steam-cooked corn dough (masa) wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves