For the love of corniks

I AM RELISHING the last few grams of corniks, about to say goodbye to the only genuine Philippine snack that I can have in India. I bought the crunchy corn snack by the bag during my recent travel to Manila, hoping it could last until my next home visit. Alas, it is such an addicting and delicious break from the masala-infused snacks of India, that those three bags are gone in sixty seconds.

Toasted in garlic and drizzled with salt, corniks is a truly riveting Philippine snack that ranks with Magnolia Popsicle, Choc-Nut chocolate bars, banana cue, and halo-halo as amongst the best loved childhood favorites for most Filipinos—and amongst their top all-time sinful indulgences. I have no idea where the name corniks stems from; obviously, it is a take-off from “corn”.

My Indian friends and colleagues never had the chance to try my bags of corniks. I am not sure they would enjoy the snack anyway. Last week, I discovered two staple Philippine vegetables—kangkong and pechay—being sold as specialty foods in HyperCity. I was so thrilled at the discovery that I sent an SMS to a former colleague in HyperCity.

“Thanks for carrying these vegetables! I will be their biggest consumer in India!”

What she said made me laugh. She replied, “And probably the only one.”