The beauty of traveling is that you get to discover new things and meet new acquaintances (if not friends) to share stories with.
It was rainy afternoon earlier today. I was looking around while waiting for the bus to depart when I noticed the crowd in this coffee stall.
I joined at the end of the line. While waiting for my turn, I asked the lady crew what is the erased label of the canister in the middle. I thought it is "Kalinga" but I wanted to be sure.
"Kalinga," she said. Yes, I was right!
Barako is something we at home thought as native coffee here in the Philippines but we did not really knew from which particular place. I searched and Wikipedia says barako is from Batangas and Cavite provinces. Those are in the southern part of Manila and that is an amusing discovery for me. All along, I thought barako is from the Cordillera region in the north like these Benguet and Kalinga coffee.
I've been hearing about Benguet and Kalinga coffee but I did not know the difference. We may even have had them at home with the coffee beans we've been using but since we are in Benguet then it is most probably the Benguet variety that we have had. So let's try Kalinga coffee now.
A guy ordered Benguet coffee right before I placed mine. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed this somewhere at the back of the counter.
"Behind every successfulman is a substantial amount of coffee."
That's amusing. And yes, I may have not survived some of my corporate days without coffee.
My order was ready right after the guy's coffee was served. And I laughed!
"His is Benguet coffee and mine is Kalinga. What's the difference? I don't see any." I asked the crew while the guy took his cup. I know hat's funny. As if I can tell the difference by just looking at the cups.
The crew has not yet answered and I motioned to the guy. I asked if he can put his cup down for a while. Yes, I did that to a stranger!
He smiled and obeyed. I looked back to the crew and waited for her answer.
"This one is more aromatic," she pointed to my cup.
"Oh, seriously?" I was not convinced but she re-affirmed. I almost asked the guy if I can smell his coffee...
She asked how much creamer and sugar.
"Three and one," I said. I thought I heard him said "three and three."
Mine is the cup on the right.
I took my cup and took a seat. Looking back at the stall, there ain't much option for drinks except coffee. There are also few options for sandwiches. I thought it would be better if they have more.
So how's my Kalinga coffee? I can not tell the difference from what my mother used to brew. This may be the beans that we have been having at home after all. Ah yes, that feels like home. At least I had something different from the instant coffee that is what I usually get in the city.
It was late afternoon so I ordered just small size cup. With the price of P35.00 (US $0.67), that is way better than the P25.00 instant coffee from vending machines with much smaller cup size.
The café seem so simple but with the homey ambiance, it is a surprise if more people are drawn to it.
I will be dropping by this place again and I hope it will be sunny by then; in time to try their ice cold drinks.
Jacinto's Cafe
Sison Bus Stop
McArthur Highway
Brgy. Asan Sur
Sison, Pangasinan
Philippines
Restaurant Information
Jacinto's Café
Sison, Pangasinan, Philippines
Philippine native coffee at Jacinto's Café
This post participated in the Tasteem contest Beverages with friends