![Cooked suman sa balete. Each grouping is about P60](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_940,h_627/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-5.jpg)
The sound of women chatting from the small structure selling food and trinkets got my attention as we were exploring the century old balete tree (banyan tree, Ficus sp.) which is a popular tourist spot in Maria Aurora in the province of Aurora. But to my surprise and delight, these women were preparing a native delicacy, suman, rice cakes wrapped longitudinally with steamed young coconut leaves.
Suman is an ubiquitous native delicacy that is found in almost all provinces in the Philippines, and perhaps, in other Asian countries as well. Most of these are sticky rice cooked in coconut milk, sometimes sweetened, sometimes not. These are then wrapped in blanched banana leaves, rolled longitudinally and folded or tied at both ends. But in other localities, like this one and another one in Taluksangay, Zamboanga City, it uses young coconut leaves for the wrapping.
In between chatting, the women are busy preparing the suman from scratch to finished product which they then sell at P60 per bunch. For the first timer, unwrapping the suman is an experience in itself, loosening the tie that wraps around the body, removing the leaf handle then unwrapping the rice cake. A bite into the slightly sweetened sticky rice is something to enjoy. For us locals, it usually reminds us of home, of family and traditions.
![Sticky purple rice is being prepared.](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-9.jpg)
![It's a communal activity with women helping out in making the suman and stories flow](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-8.jpg)
![Young coconut leaves prepared to be receptacles](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-4.jpg)
![Prepared young coconut leaves bunched up together](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-3.jpg)
![Sticky purple rice that has already been slightly sweetened and cooked in coconut milk already in the leaf receptacles](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-7.jpg)
![preparing the suman for double wrapping](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-1.jpg)
![A woman rolls the filled leaves, cover it with another leaf and ties it together](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-6.jpg)
![Filled up leaves ready for the steaming](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_lossless,ret_img,w_700,h_467/https://langyaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/suman-balete-2.jpg)
This trip to Aurora province made possible by Costa Pacifica. Check them out at their website, in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
How suman de balete is prepared: Cooked suman sa balete. Each grouping is about P60
The sound of women chattin… http://t.co/qomeETnqQO
Have u tasted this yummy suman near the century old balete tree in #aurora province?
http://t.co/IHkTI0E0g7 http://t.co/8poAlUml40