My Tambis Experience
I was at Gaisano Mall's grocery store one day, just looking around. I notice a pack of colorful red fruits for a low price, on a table-like structure nearby. I decided to buy them to try them. The fruit's name is tambis. It also has several other common names in many place, such as; the Jamaican apple, wax apple, and bell fruit.
The tambis fruit I bought
These fruits interested me by their color and shape. They were very bright, and gave off a soft appearance. I expected them to be possibly soft, until I picked up the package of these fruits. The softness I am mentioning is similar to a tomato or berry. But they weren't like that. Through the package, they felt hard.
When I got back to my dorm, my curiosity kept poking at my mind. Instead of waiting later to open them, I went ahead and ripped my fingers through the plastic veil that held them on the disposable tray. I pulled a large tambis fruit out of the hole I made in the plastic veil.
I honestly didn't know how the fruit would be eaten. I couldn't tell if it was some hard shell that needed to be busted open, or if I just eat it from the outside. So, I kind of just squeezed the fruit and ripped off a piece. It was then, that, I figured out I should eat it from the outside. So, I went ahead and took a bite.
Although the fruit had a strange bell shape (like a strawberry), and odd bumps around the top part, its texture was very much like an apple. The taste was also similar an apple, but watery and without an apple's common sweetness. A hint of the taste was similar to a magnolia seed's scent, but as a taste instead of a scent. Overall, it wasn't amazing, but it wasn't bad.
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I think this is what I saw on a street vendors cart in Iligan City. At first glance I thought they were strawberries. One of my Filipino friends picked one up and gave me a closer look and then threw it back on the pile. Next time I’ll have to get some and give them a try myself.
I appreciate your food reviews here. Before my first visit to The Philippines, I received so many precautions and health advisories about so much of the food there I was reluctant to try a lot of things. On each visit however I am becomming a bit more adventurous in trying different things and with no ill effects.
Haha. I haven’t heard any warnings but only on street foods. I’m glad all I have eaten here though
Tambis was fine. Not a fav though.
When dealing with the unknown ( such as the first time I visited The Philippines, many things were still unknown or unexperienced ) I tend to lean towards the side of caution. Here are some links to some cautions and advisories specified for those going to The Philippines. Some of these links are more detailed than others.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/philippines.aspx
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/philippines.php
Here is an excerpt from the second link concerning the food. This is what led me on researching for a source of near ” Fail Safe ” sources of food in The Philippines before my first visit. I found what I was looking for when I found and extensively researched Jollibee.
I have since found that all of these precautions do not apply to every place or every kind of food in The Philippines although I do keep them in the back of my mind and try to apply common sense where applicable.
>>> ( Excerpt ) >>
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, and a large number of tropical reef fish. <<<<>> excerpt >>
Avoid swimming, wading, or rafting in bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers. Do not use fresh water for bathing or showering unless it has been heated to 150 degrees F for at least five minutes or held in a storage tank for at least three days. Toweling oneself dry after unavoidable or accidental exposure to contaminated water may reduce the likelihood of schistosomiasis, but does not reliably prevent the disease and is no substitute for the precautions above. Chlorinated swimming pools are considered safe. <<<<<