Tapuy facts for kids
Tapuy with biko rice cakes
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| Type | Rice wine |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Region of origin | Banaue, Mountain Province |
| Alcohol by volume | 14% - 19% |
| Ingredients | Rice |
Tapuy (pronounced tah-POO-ee) is a special drink from the Philippines. It is a type of rice wine. People in places like Banaue and the Mountain Province have made it for a long time.
Tapuy is used for important events. These include weddings, rice harvest parties, and cultural festivals. It is made from a special kind of rice called glutinous rice. Sometimes, other types of rice are mixed in. It also uses onuad roots, ginger, and a starter called bubod.
The name Tapuy comes from the Ilocano language. In other local languages, like Igorot, it is often called baya or bayah.
What's in a Name?
The name Tapuy comes from a very old word, tapay. This word meant "fermented food." Many words for fermented foods across Asia and the Pacific come from this same old word. For example, the Tagalog word for bread, tinapay, is related.
The word tapay also led to the name for large clay jars. These jars were first used to ferment foods like tapuy. In the Philippines, these jars are called tapayan.
What is Tapuy Like?
Tapuy is a clear drink. It has a strong taste of alcohol. It is usually a bit sweet. The taste often stays in your mouth for a while.
Tapuy has about 14% alcohol. It is made naturally. It does not have extra sugar or water added. It also does not contain sulfites. Sulfites are often found in other wines.
How Tapuy is Made
Making tapuy starts with carefully choosing and washing rice. Then, the rice is cooked and cooled down. After that, a natural starter called bubod is added.
The rice then goes through a natural process called fermentation. This is when the rice changes into wine. Once it is ready, the fresh wine is collected. It is then heated to keep it fresh. This process is called pasteurization.
Finally, the wine is aged. It is also filtered to make it clear. Then, it is put into bottles. The bottled wine is heated again before the bottles are sealed.
Tapuy Traditions
Once a year, there is a special event called the Ipitik festival. Rice wine makers from all over the Mountain Province come together. They bring their best tapuy to share.
This festival is a day of fun and celebration. There are contests for wood carving. Art shows are set up. Big cook-outs feed many people. Children often play gongs and dance to lively music. Tapuy is a very important part of the rich culture in the Philippines.
