Taho

A cup of taho with arnibal and sago

Taho is a popular snack food in the Philippines, made of fresh soft/silken tofu, arnibal (a sweet syrup), and sago pearls. It is a staple comfort food in the Philippines and is often consumed for breakfast or as a snack.

Ingredients

Strawberry taho in Baguio City

Taho is composed of three main ingredients:

• Silken Tofu: The base of taho is fresh silken tofu, which is soft and smooth in texture. It is made from soybeans and is known for its delicate taste and high protein content.

• Arnibal: This is a sweet syrup made from caramelized sugar and sometimes flavored with vanilla or pandan. It gives taho its characteristic sweetness.

• Sago Pearls: These are small, chewy balls made from tapioca starch. They add texture to the dish and are similar to boba used in bubble tea.

Sago pearls used in taho

Preparation

The preparation of taho involves layering the silken tofu with arnibal and sago pearls. Vendors typically serve it warm, scooping the tofu into a cup, adding a generous amount of arnibal, and topping it with sago pearls. The ingredients are mixed together before consumption.

Cultural Significance

Taho is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. It is commonly sold by street vendors known as magtatahô, who roam neighborhoods in the early morning, calling out "Taho!" to attract customers. These vendors carry two large buckets suspended from a yoke, one containing the tofu and the other containing the arnibal and sago.

A magtatahô vendor carrying taho

Regional Variations

While the classic taho is the most common, there are regional variations that incorporate local flavors. In Baguio City, for example, a popular variant is the strawberry taho, which includes fresh strawberries or strawberry syrup in place of or in addition to the traditional arnibal.

Consumption

Taho is typically consumed warm, although it can also be enjoyed cold. It is often eaten with a spoon or sipped directly from the cup. The combination of the soft tofu, sweet syrup, and chewy sago makes it a unique and satisfying treat.

Related Pages

• Tofu
• Bubble tea
• Philippine cuisine
• Street food