The queue is always extra long and it takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to wait one’s turn. Yet people flock to this nondescript, unnamed bakery in our neighborhood before sunrise. Among those who patiently stand in line is Tony, who is impatient with everything else.
The object of everyone’s desire is the bakery’s special pandesal.
To Tony and me, it is the best-tasting among all the other pandesals in our village. Many others believe so, too. Otherwise, they would still be in bed, not in the extra long queue.
Pandesal is a yeast-raised bread bun usually eaten in the Philippines at breakfast. It is made of flour, eggs, lard, sugar, and salt. Despite the literal meaning of its name (bread of salt), the taste of pandesal varies from bland to slightly sweet. It usually costs 2.50 pesos or a US nickel.
Our favorite pandesal (approximately two bites) is neither big nor small, and neither sweet nor salty. It doesn’t look good nor does it taste good—it tastes ummmmm!
When Tony brings a bagful home, the bread buns are still piping hot. And as one bites into its fluff and texture, one feels the comfort of home.
Like the stirring of joy at sunrise, grace comes in the morning.
6 comments:
Penge naman.
mabelita loves pandesal :o)
What would Pinoys be without pandesal, the greatest survival tool. Promise me next time we have coffee, you'll bring pandesal.
Hi, Mabelita! Let's have coffee at home and I'll serve you the greatest pandesal ever baked by man.
Hi, Yay! Will do, will do.
i love philippine pan de sal. i'd go to great lengths buying that every morning when i was there. mas gusto ko yung sa tabi-tabi lang na panaderya, ok na rin yung sa pan de manila which is a bigger chain.
Hi, Louse! Nothing like Pinoy pandesal! Nice to see you on blogosphere.
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