We’re in the thick of the Christmas season, and preparations for Noche Buena and Christmas day are going frenzied. If you haven’t picked what presents to give family, relatives and friends and what special treats to add to the holiday table, these suggestions might come in handy, as World of Flavors gathered some of the most interesting finds this season.

HANDCRAFTED HOLIDAY GIFTS

Laguna’s Bitbit Filipino Deli Atbp. Presents a wide range of artisanal products that are handcrafted, using only locally sourced premium ingredients.

Its best-selling bottled products include Kesong Puti in Olive Oil (made from organic carabao’s milk, marinated in herb infused olive oil); Bangus Salpicao (locally sourced bangus cooked salpicao style); Longaniza Santa Cruz (made from high quality, safe and locally raised native pork with herbs and spices and no preservatives); and Tapang Kalabaw (made from locally raised carabao, flavored with garlic and other local spices).

Bitbit also offers Bayong Sets packed in eco-friendly bayongs made from pandan leaves from Liliw, Laguna. Available are Kesong Puti Bayong set (1 bottle Kesong Puti paired with Sourdough Toasts); Longa Pasta Bayong set (1 jar Kesong Puti, 1 jar Longaniza Santa Cruz, and locally made Mushroom pasta); and Umagahan Set (organic mixed grains, Kapeng Laguna, Bangus Salpicao, Longaniza Santa Cruz, Sukang Tagalog, and Atchara).

To order, call 0917-5440820. For complete product list, visit the bitbitfilipinodeli FB and IG pages.

GOURMET MAMON

This Christmas, Chef Dorothy Ferreria offers two gourmet mamons that are super fluffy and soft leveled up renditions of classic mamons. They come in two flavors: Ube Crème Brulee Mamon (light as a cloud ube mamon topped with a secret crème brulee formula), and Tableya Mamon (chocolate mammon loaded with chocolate inside and out, with its unique chocolate topping made with finely ground tableya).

They come in a box of 12 (P600) and a box of 6 (P300). Order via FB Messenger of Dorothy Ferreria or send text message to 0926-0151384.

SAVORY OR SWEET?

Ledelicieux Patisserie & Café in Paco, Manila, offers both savory and sweet treats this Christmas.

Must-try savories include the Chicken Pot Pie, a 9-inch round pie packed with generous chunks of chicken, mushroom, carrots, potatoes and ham cubes in a rich cream sauce, topped with a buttery and flaky golden crust.

For sweet treats, new offerings include Classic Sans Rival, Belgian Chocolate Cake and Ube Leche Flan Cake.

To order, send a message on the bakeshop’s FB page or call 0917-1272258.

BOTTLED GOODIES

Must-tries this Christmas are four irresistible handcrafted gourmet spreads from Peach & Co. Test Kitchen that are perfect for transforming everyday snacks to gourmet experiences.

These four are Honey Trail Mix (blend of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and a touch of honey for a quick snack or pick-me-up) at P190/165; Pesto Butter Cream Cheese Spread (creamy, savory blend of rich butter, tangy cream cheese, and vibrant pesto. Crafted for the discerning palate) at P309/140 grams; Hummus (high protein, fiber-rich Mediterranean dip made with chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil for healthy snacking) at P225/140 grams; and Chicken Liver Patè (rich, buttery, preservative-free chicken liver pate) at P200/140 grams. 

Order via Peach & Co.’s FB page.

THE BEST FRUITCAKES IN TOWN

Christmas isn’t Christmas until you have tasted the fruitcakes of Ju.D Lao. Inspired by the brandied flavors of European fruitcakes but tweaked to cater to the Filipino palate, Ju.D’s fruitcakes have become a tradition during Christmastime.

There are four variants to choose from — Classic Fruitcake (studded with glazed cherries, orange peel, dates, raisins and walnuts, and bathed in brandy); Golden Fruitcake (light, honey fruitcake with golden apricot, red cranberries, walnuts and candied ginger); Ju.D Blue (rich dark fruitcake made with Blue Mountain, fruit glacé, walnuts, and Kahlua coffee liquor); and Coffee Prune Cake (dark fruitcake with prunes, walnuts and Kahlua coffee liquor).

She also offers individually wrapped Chewy Chewkies (fruitcake cookies), Ginger Cookies, and Apricot Cookies in boxes of 12.

To order, call +632 8633-1188 or +632 8633-0808.