There’s something special about pairing coffee with Filipino kakanin. The warm, roasted aroma of a freshly brewed cup complements the sweetness and texture of these traditional rice-based delicacies. Whether it’s an early breakfast, a merienda with friends, or a comforting moment of me-time, coffee and kakanin always make the perfect pair. Here are five Filipino favorites that go beautifully with a good cup of coffee.
1. Biko
Biko is a well-loved Filipino rice cake made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar. The rice is cooked until sticky and then coated in sweet coconut caramel or latik, sometimes topped with toasted coconut curds. It’s a staple in many Filipino households, often served during fiestas, birthdays, or Family Day merienda. Its rich, syrupy sweetness makes it the perfect partner for Robusta coffee, whose strong and slightly bitter flavor balances out the sugary depth of the dish.
2. Bibingka
Bibingka is one of the most nostalgic Filipino treats, especially during Christmas season when it’s sold outside churches after Simbang Gabi. Traditionally baked in clay pots lined with banana leaves, this soft rice cake is made with rice flour, coconut milk, eggs, and sugar, then topped with butter, salted egg, and cheese. The combination of sweet and salty flavors pairs perfectly with a smooth Arabica brew, whose subtle acidity enhances the buttery richness of the bibingka.
3. Palitaw
Palitaw gets its name from the Filipino word “litaw,” which means “to float.” This chewy rice cake made from glutinous rice flour is boiled until it rises to the surface of the water, signaling it’s cooked, then coated with grated coconut, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds. It’s a light yet satisfying snack commonly enjoyed during merienda. Palitaw’s mild sweetness pairs wonderfully with Arabica coffee, as the coffee’s fruity and nutty notes complement the sesame and coconut flavors without overpowering them.
4. Puto Bumbong
A true holiday favorite, puto bumbong is a purple rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes and served hot with margarine or butter, grated coconut, and muscovado sugar. It’s another Christmas classic enjoyed after Simbang Gabi, filling the air with its sweet, smoky aroma. Its earthy and mildly nutty taste is best enjoyed with a cup of Robusta coffee, which brings out the deeper roasted flavors of the rice while offering a strong contrast to its natural sweetness.
5. Suman
Suman is one of the simplest yet most versatile kakanin. Made from glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves, it’s often paired with ripe mangoes or sprinkled with sugar. Found year-round across the Philippines, suman is enjoyed as breakfast or merienda, often paired with hot coffee in the morning. Its creamy and subtly sweet flavor goes best with Robusta coffee, whose smooth and slightly acidic profile complements the suman’s rich coconut undertones.
This Ber month season, you don’t have to choose between satisfying your kakanin craving or your coffee craving—you can enjoy both in one cup. Intuit Coffee’s Kakanin Series brings your favorite Filipino delicacies to life through original handcrafted coffee drinks inspired by these familiar Kakanin flavors.
Visit Intuit Coffee at 3rd Floor, 6 Missouri St., Northeast Greenhills, San Juan, and celebrate the season with coffee that tastes like the sweet Filipino home!