How Maja Came To Be

The Origin of Maja 

By: Mira Luna Aldiano

If you grew up in the Philippines, you would know what Maja is. But for the sake of others, let’s trace down the origin of this famous Filipino Dessert and let’s find out how Maja Blanca emerged in the Philippine Culture.

What Is Maja?

Maja Blanca is a Filipino dessert comprised mainly of Coconut Milk and Corn Starch. Some people coin this dessert as Coconut Pudding, which I think made more sense. When you go to town Fiestas, Holidays, and other festive occasions in a Filipino home, you would most likely find this dessert being served.

Maja Originated from Spain and is adapted from the traditional Spanish Dessert, “Manyar Blanco”, which is a Spanish word for “White Delicacy”.

There are different kinds of Maja. The more common ones are: Maja de Ube, Maja con Maiz, Squash Maja. The most delicious and vitamin-enriched kind of Maja is the Squash Maja. It’s famous for being affordable. Squash, the main ingredient of Squash Maja is a great source of Vitamin A, or Beta Carotene which is very important for good eye sight and great skin. 

Are you allergic?

Food Allergies you might get from Maja Blanca’s Ingredients

By: Angel Bert Encoy

Photo credit: www.thisoldhouse.com

We Filipinos are fond of eating. We love to eat different kinds of delicious foods. But there are foods that would give us allergies. Some of the most common food allergens are: cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, shell fish, tree nuts, soy and wheat. The most common food allergy signs and symptoms are: tingling or itching in the mouth, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body, wheezing, nasal congestion or breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheaded, or fainting. If you have allergy on some of these foods mentioned above, you must take extra precaution on your foods.

One examples of the food recipe that may have food allergens is the most popular Filipino Dessert, Maja Blanca. It is usually served during Fiesta and Holidays. Maja Blanca has coconut milk which may trigger some food allergies. Peanuts and Tree nuts are relatively common and is estimated to occur in around 1:1000 infants and 1:200 to 1:500 adults. By contrast, allergic reactions to coconuts are relatively rare. It may be rare, but you still have to manage what you’re eating if you’re allergic to any food that has coconut. The most common symptoms of coconut allergy are: abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, and skin, difficulty in swallowing, nasal congestion and shortness of breath.

Photo Credit: northshorekids.com

Another ingredient of Maja that may cause allergy is corn. This may be difficult to manage because of the high number of food product contained in various forms of corn such as, Corn Starch, Modified Food Starch, Vinegar and Vanilla Extract. However, it is an allergen that often goes unrecognized. Its symptoms include hives or skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, indigestion, vomiting or diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, headaches, asthma and Anaphylaxis- a potentially life- threatening reaction that impairs breathing and can send the body into a shock.

Food allergies are really difficult to manage because a few of them are used in making different products that are also used in cooking different recipes. If you are not careful enough of what you eat, you might be one of the victims of food allergy. It may not be severe but for other people, an allergic food reaction can be frightening and can even pose a threat to one’s life. So be responsible and extra careful of the food that you ingest.

The Delectable and Healthy Maja

by: AngelBert Encoy

Maja is one of the most popular Filipino desserts. It is usually served with small kernels of sweet corn inside and topped with flakes of roasted coconut meat. Often, it will also have shredded cheddar cheese on top. To become more exciting and nutritious to eat, there are other flavors of Maja tjat can be cooked like Squash, Maja Blanca with Mango, Maja Ube and Pina Maja Blanca.

Maja is perfect for those people who are aiming to lose some weight. This contains just the right amount of calories and carbohydrates that our body needs. It also has Vitamin C that will help to prevent colds, protects the body’s immunity, and defends us from health risks such as: Cardiovascular Diseases, prenatal health problems, eye disease and even skin wrinkling. Of Course, Maja is cooked with Coconut Milk that contains calcium to help us build and maintain strong bones.

Maja Blanca can be cooked in different flavors, making it even more nutritious. The squash Maja has low calories; rich in vitamins that will help us prevent cancer and obesity. The vitamins in Squash help us to maintain good eyesight, healthy colon, a healthy heart and strong bones. Aside from that, it also helps us to improve digestion, reduce sweet cravings, and also contains antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Spiny on the outside, sweet on the inside, pineapples are one of the most fantastic fruits that can also be one of the ingredients of Maja. It contains high amount of Vitamin C and manganese which is important for antioxidant defenses. It is also fat- free, cholesterol-free and has dietary fiber which is essential in keeping your intestines healthy. Maja can also be cooked with mango and there are many health benefits that we can derive from it. According to a research, mango has rich antioxidants which help in fighting against colon, breast, prostate cancers and leukemia. It lowers blood cholesterol and clears skin. It also maintains healthy eye and alkalizes the whole body.

Maja Blanca is not just a great dessert, but is also nutritious. The different versions and flavors of maja are very good for our health. Now you can enjoy great food at the same time maintain your good health.