Glossary S
Deutsch: Sari-Sari Laden / Español: Tienda Sari-Sari / Português: Loja Sari-Sari / Français: Magasin Sari-Sari / Italiano: Negozio Sari-Sari
A Sari-Sari Store in the food context refers to a small, neighborhood convenience store or kiosk in the Philippines that sells a variety of everyday items in small or "retail" quantities. The term "sari-sari" translates to "variety" or "assorted" in English, which perfectly encapsulates the nature of these stores. They typically offer a range of products, from packaged snacks, canned goods, and beverages to household essentials and sometimes, fresh produce and baked goods. Sari-sari stores are integral to Filipino community life, providing easy access to basic necessities and serving as a local gathering spot.
Sariwang Gatas is the Filipino term for "fresh milk", which usually comes from "carabao's" (water buffalo) milk, but rarely available in urban areas. In Bulacan, "sariwang gatas from carabaos are still being used to make a popular dessert called Pastillas de Leche. In laguna, they are still being used to make "fresh cheese " which we call "Kesong Puti (literally means "white cheese) because of its pristine white color.
Bulacan and Laguna are provinces found in Luzon Island, Philippines, both are situated near the capital (Manila).
Sarriette is the French word for "Savory", a Provence herb and aromatic plant related to thyme and mint. It is classified into two (2) varieties: Sarriette des Jardins and Sarriette des Montagnes. Sarriette des Jardins have a sharp green color and has a delicate taste, while Sarriette des Montagnes are more scented. Sarriette is usually used in making marinades and as condiments.
Sarriette is also known as Provençal de Poivre D’âne.
Sarsaparilla refers to the flavor which was originally derived from the dried roots of tropical smilax vines. Today, products featuring Sarsaparilla use artificial flavors.
Sarsaparilla is native to South America, Jamaica, Mexico, and other parts of the Caribbean. It is been used throughout the world for many centuries, and in more recent history, since the 1400’s, where it was introduced into European medicine by contact with the indigenous tribes in South America.
The word Sarsaparilla, or ‘Zarzaparilla’ comes from the Spanish ‘Zarza’, meaning a bramble, and ‘parilla’, a vine. It is a woody vine that grows up to 50 meter long, and produces small flowers in black, blue or red berry-like fruits. It is the tuberous root, which is odourless and tasteless, that is used for medicinal purposes.
Sarsaparilla became popular in Europe in the mid 1500’s, and was traded mainly through Jamaica into Europe. It was prized as highly medicinal with many healthy properties. It has many properties. Detoxifying, pain relief, blood cleansing and helps to stimulate digestion. It has also been used for the treatment of arthritis and the common cold. Sexual impotence, syphilis, gonorrhoea, rheumatism, wounds , fever, coughs, hypertension, digestive disorders, skin diseases, and cancer. There are no known side-effects for Sarsaparilla, however, ingestion of large dosages may cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Sarsaparilla is becoming more widely available in health food stores, as well as tablets, capsules, and tincture products. Most of the Sarsaparilla root used commercially today comes from Mexico and Latin America as well as China.
When I was small, there was a famous drink which we can purchased cheap in my hometown in Valenzuela . Its name is Sarsi and it was always advertised as a Sarsaparilla drink. Sarsi was manufactured by Cosmos Bottling Company in Valenzuela,Metro Manila (previoulsy known as Valenzuela, Bulacan) where these Sarsaparilla/Sarsi drink were manufactured and bottled.
Sarsi is a sarsaparilla-based soft drink sold in Australia, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries