'Tikoy' with healthy twist at Manila Hotel
MANILA, Philippines - The Chinese New Year is celebrated with much anticipation and festivity as it signals the start of a new beginning.
As part of the celebration, Manila Hotel is selling tikoy until Feb. 5 in three delectable flavors — almond, osmanthus, and sancha — and carefully wrapped in elegant flip-top boxes. Prices start at P480 net.
Tikoy or the Chinese New Year cake symbolizes the togetherness of the family and its usual circular shape represents the never-ending flow of luck.
Made from sticky rice, tikoy is said to be an offering to the Kitchen God to secure his favor so he would only report sweet things to the Jade Emperor.
But there is another reason to celebrate. Under the supervision of Executive Chinese Chef Sun Bing, the tikoy is given a fresh spin with new flavors that are sure to delight everyone’s sweet cravings.
“For the Chinese New Year, we have re-created the tikoy by using natural ingredients such as almonds, Hawthorn berries, and osmanthus flowers that have health benefits and perfectly blend with the sweet and delicate taste of the tikoy,” says Nian Liwanag-Rigor, AVP for public relations and corporate communications of Manila Hotel.
Children will surely enjoy the almond tikoy that has a light, sweet taste with a hint of almond. Almonds have 90 percent unsaturated fats and are high in protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E, making the tikoy a healthy snack.
The osmanthus tikoy, which is flavored with osmanthus flower, has a distinct tea-like taste and fragrant aroma. Osmanthus flowers contain antioxidants for clearer skin and provide relief from rheumatism.
The sancha tikoy, sweetened with Hawthorn berries, has a wonderfully blended tart and sweet taste pleasing to the palate. Hawthorn berries are used to treat angina and high blood pressure and are found to strengthen the heart.
Tikoy is sold at the Mabuhay Palace Chinese New Year Booth at the lobby of Manila Hotel until Feb. 5, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For inquiries, call 02 527-0011 local 1261.
