Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (2024)

Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (1)

The first time I served this to my non-Filipino friends, I was hesitant because of its rather unappetizing look. But when I got the confirmation that they liked the taste and even wanting to try another one, I was very happy!

This biko tapol, also known as biko Bisaya, or purple biko is the Visayan version of the well-known Filipino sweet sticky rice cake–biko (pronounced BI-KOH).

It is a combination of glutinous white rice (pilit) and black/purple sticky rice known as “tapol“, simmered in coconut cream, coconut milk, and brown sugar.

The result is a dark, purplish, rice cake that may not look very attractive but tastes really good.

Biko tapol is one of those special desserts we prepare during Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the Philippines.

It’s part of our culture and beliefs to make as many sweets during these celebratory occasions to attract good luck and abundance.

This version of biko I’ll share in this post is the one I grow up eating, although occasionally my family also made the plain biko topped with coconut syrup.

This is a scaled-down version of my mom’s original biko tapol recipe which didn’t have the precise measurements of the ingredients. She usually makes a large batch requiring kilos of rice and sugar and large quantities of coconut milk.

I modified the recipe to make it available for home cooks who wanted to make biko enough to feed a small crowd.

I adopted the 4:1 ratio for the glutinous rice vs purple rice, and used an equal ratio for coconut cream and milk.

Coconut cream (akakakang gata in Tagalog) is thicker and richer compared to coconut milk.

I use canned coconut milk and cream in this recipe since I don’t have access to fresh coconut meat.

However, if you decide to extract your own, use less water to extract the coconut cream and more water for coconut milk.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Yields: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (2)
1 1/2 cups sweet rice/glutinous rice (aka pilit)
1/2 cup sweet black or purple rice (aka tapol)
3 cups + 1 1/2 cups water (for cooking the rice)
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups coconut cream
2 cups coconut milk

Tools/Materials You’ll Need:
Medium sauce pan or pot for cooking the rice
Large skillet or wok
Cooking spoon
Container for cooked biko
Banana leaves (optional)

Procedure:
1. Mix purple rice and 3 cups of water in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until most of the water dries up. Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (3)2. Rinse glutinous rice with cold water and place in same pot. Add 1 1/2 cups water and stir. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium low heat until most of the water has evaporated. Check the rice for doneness. Purple rice should be cooked al dente (not mushy) while sweet rice is about almost cooked but not quite (it should be a little nutty when you bite the grains with your teeth). Set aside.Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (4) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (5)3. In a large skillet or wok, mix together brown sugar, coconut cream, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium high heat for about 10 minutes until the liquid has thickened a little, stirring often.Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (6)4. Lower heat to medium and add pre-cooked rice. Cook until mixture gets very sticky and pulls away from the skillet. It’s done when you barely can mix it and when it gets shimmery in appearance.Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (7) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (8) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (9) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (10) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (11) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (12) Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (13)5. Remove from heat and transfer to a prepared container lined with banana leaves, then allow to cool before serving. My favorite way is shaping them into round discs using the lid of a quart-size mason jar and placing them individually in pre-cut round-shaped banana leaves for easier serving and portion control.Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (14)

Biko Tapol Recipe

Prep time

Cook time

Total time

A delicious Filipino snack made from sweet rice, purple sticky rice, coconut milk, coconut cream and brown sugar.

Author: Mia

Recipe type: Dessert, Snacks

Cuisine: Filipino

Serves: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups sweet rice/glutinous rice (aka pilit)
  • ½ cup sweet black or purple rice (aka tapol)
  • 3 cups + 1½ cups water (for cooking the rice)
  • 2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 2 cups coconut cream
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • Tools/Materials You'll Need:
  • Medium sauce pan or pot for cooking the rice
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Cooking spoon
  • Container for cooked biko
  • Banana leaves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix purple rice and 3 cups of water in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until most of the water dries up.
  2. Rinse glutinous rice with cold water and place in same pot. Add 1½ cups water and stir. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium low heat until most of the water has evaporated. Check the rice for doneness. Purple rice should be cooked al dente (not mushy) while sweet rice is about almost cooked but not quite (it should be a little nutty when you bite the grains with your teeth). Set aside.
  3. In a large skillet or wok, mix together brown sugar, coconut cream, and coconut milk. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium high heat for about 10 minutes until the liquid has thickened a little, stirring often.
  4. Lower heat to medium and add pre-cooked rice. Cook until mixture gets very sticky and pulls away from the skillet. It's done when you barely can mix it and when it gets shimmery in appearance.
  5. Remove from heat and transfer to a prepared container lined with banana leaves, then allow to cool before serving. My favorite way is shaping them into round discs using the lid of a quart-size mason jar and placing them individually in pre-cut round-shaped banana leaves for easier serving and portion control.

Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (16)

Biko Tapol Recipe - Russian Filipino Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Where in the Philippines is biko from? ›

It is also known as inkiwar in Ilocano Northern Luzon and sinukmani or sinukmaneng in the Southern Luzon area. In the Muslim regions of the Philippines, it is known as wadjit in Tausug; wadit in Maranao; and wagit in Maguindanao. A notable variant is puto maya in Cebuano-speaking regions of the Philippines.

Is Sinukmani and biko the same? ›

There are a couple of ways to make biko, otherwise known as sinukmani in the Northern region. One method is steaming the glutinous rice until partially cooked and then finishing it in a coconut milk-brown sugar syrup. The second method is cooking the sweet rice straight in the coconut mixture.

What is tapol rice in English? ›

It is a combination of glutinous white rice (pilit) and black/purple sticky rice known as “tapol“, simmered in coconut cream, coconut milk, and brown sugar. The result is a dark, purplish, rice cake that may not look very attractive but tastes really good.

Is biko and Suman the same? ›

Suman is to the Ilonggos as what biko is to Tagalogs and other places. So don't be surprised if you're given this malagkit rice specialty instead of the one wrapped in coconut leaves which is commonly called ibos in this part of the country. Here's a simple recipe for Suman or Biko.

What does biko mean in Filipino? ›

Biko is a rich, chewy Filipino rice cake made with sticky rice, coconut milk, and dark sugar. Traditionally served in a round, shallow bamboo tray lined with banana leaves known as a bilao, biko belongs to a category of sweets called kakanin, which is made up entirely of rice cakes.

What does biko mean in Tagalog? ›

Definition for the Tagalog word biko:

biko. [noun] a type of Filipino rice cake / dessert.

Is Kalamay and biko the same? ›

The sticky cakes are also sometimes referred to as kalamay, although, strictly speaking, the term only pertains to the coconut milk, brown sugar, and glutinous rice powder mixture that is sometimes spread over the biko.

What are the varieties of biko? ›

There are different kinds and colors of Filipino biko, from yellow-colored ones made with kabocha squash and pale green ones made with sweet-smelling pandan to maroon-colored sweet biko made from purple rice.

Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? ›

Can You Replace Coconut Cream with Coconut Milk? The good news about coconut cream and coconut milk is that although they may be different consistencies, they're very similar. You can use coconut cream in place of milk if you dilute it with additional water. Different coconut cream brands vary on fat content.

Is black rice good for diabetics? ›

Black rice might be an excellent dietary choice for diabetic people. The phenolic compounds present in black rice may help reduce blood glucose levels. However, if you have diabetes, you are advised to strictly adhere to your doctor's advice.

Which rice is the healthiest? ›

For example, whole grains are better for our health when compared to simple carbs – which is why brown rice or black rice are regarded as the healthiest options. You should certainly be looking into eating whole grain rice. Furthermore, some types of rice have lower levels of carbs, or lower calories, than others.

Is black rice good for kidney patients? ›

Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, black rice also protects liver and kidney from injuries.

Where did the name Kutsinta come from in the Philippines? ›

Puto Kutsinta is a very popular merienda snack throughout the Philippines and its name's origin is very much debated. According to some people, the name kutsinta is derived from a pre-colonial kitchen tool used in shaping the rice cake.

When should I eat biko? ›

Biko is often served as merienda (snack) but it is also common as breakfast or dessert. It's sometimes topped with latik, a coconut caramel. I love the consistency of the sticky rice, so dense that it's sliced instead of scooped.

What is banana leaf Filipino food? ›

What is Kamayan? Kamayan is a communal-style buffet of delicious Filipino food: it features seafood, grilled meats, vegetables and garlic rice served on fresh (or frozen and thawed) banana leaves. In Tagalog, kamayan means “by hand” — and refers to how the meal is eaten.

Where is biko from alone? ›

In Oregon, he is part of a heathen folk band, Endelos, that plays at local mead halls, pubs and festivals. Biko has longed for an adventure like Alone his whole life.

Where did the Filipino race come from? ›

What are now the Philippine Islands were probably once a part of the land mass of Asia. The original settlers may have come from interior Asia by land; one strain may even have come from Africa.

Where did rice originated in the Philippines? ›

Archeologists excavated the earliest evidence of rice in the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley around 3400 + -125 BC. In the Philippines, rice cultivation started thousands of years ago.

What is the most famous kakanin in the Philippines? ›

Puto. Arguably the most popular kakanin, this steamed rice cake is traditionally white in color, although it can also be tinged green or purple to indicate that its been flavored with pandan or ube, respectively. Like the French baguette, it is sometimes eaten alongside savory viands, most notably the dinuguan.

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