Kutsinta
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Read for freeKutsinta (or cuchinta) is an all-purpose type of puto or brown steamed rice cake. This type of delicacy isn’t that sweet, so if you’re watching your sugar levels, you can give this a try. You won’t regret it!
In fact, this Filipino dessert is a form of “kakanin”. For perfect results, it should contain the following: lye water, brown sugar, rice flour, and annatto (atsuete) seeds.
In the Philippines, it’s a popular snack or “merienda,” and it’s usually served with grated coconut on top in all kinds of small corner shops.
When eaten with grated coconut on top, kutsinta is at once slightly sticky and chewy. The perfect combination of these textures makes it an irresistible dessert for merienda.
Kutsinta is one of those rare delicacies that’s both easy to prepare and delicious to eat!
The best kutsinta is one that’s soft and slightly sticky, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Luckily, you can make kutsinta at home, and the prep time and total cooking time are quite short.
Fun fact: Philippine president Noynoy Aquino expressed fondness for kutsinta after receiving 2 pieces from another Filipino for Christmas during his exile in Boston.
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Origin
Kutsinta was derived from the words “kueh tsin tao”, which is a Chinese phrase that means “little cake”. This food can be served as a dessert or snack.
This dessert is originally based on Chinese rice cakes, but Pinoy-style kutsinta has a jelly-like consistency. The original Chinese rice cake is more dense, chewy, and sticky.
Around the 9th century, direct trade between China and the Philippines was first recorded (at the turn of the Sung and Tang dynasty). Since then, kutsinta has existed in its original form. Filipinos then adapted it by serving it with grated coconut.
Another Chinese delicacy brought by Chinese traders at the time was “kueh putu” (steamed rice cake), which ultimately evolved into our favorite “puto.”
As a result, the well-known “puto-kutsinta” snacks are offered together.
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:
Read for free
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
