Chocolate Lovers' Haven: Kuuma Kaakao

Overall Experience: 8 out of 10

Before the imposition of the MECQ happened, I managed to visit Kuuma Kaakao in Tagaytay, a haven for fans of tablea and Filipino comfort foods.

Kuuma Kaakao can be found in the Hillcrest Plaza near the rotunda that connects the roads leading to Laguna, Manila, and Batangas. The place has a simple and modest interior as the scenery provides the beauty that makes this place memorable. It enjoys a beautiful view of Taal Lake, but cuts short from the sight of the famous thought-to-be Taal Volcano which a hill obstructs. Nevertheless, the breeze of cool fresh air gives instant relaxation.  

Another remarkable of Kuuma Kaakao lies in their menu – traditional Filipino comfort food. They have a series of infused tablea chocolate drinks (or tsokolate ah), flavored bibingka, puto bumbong, turon, etc. They also have pastas and rice bowl for those looking for a much heavier meal. But their price also gives this place a thumbs up – highly affordable with a Php 300 going a long way.

Try their Chocolate Cinnamon (Php 115), Pandesal + Palaman Cheese Pimiento (Php 70), Turon with a twist (Php 25), and Leche Flan Flavored Bibingka (Php 45)

Firstly their Chocolate Cinnamon seems heavy for the appetite, but a sip feels light, the taste of chocolate enjoyable without too much sweetness and guilt. It has traditional powdery and earthy feeling of tablea in the mouth alongside the soothing aroma of the cinnamon stick making it therapeutic – perfect for the cold Tagaytay breeze.

To go with their Chocolate Cinnamon, their Cheese Pimiento Pandesal + Palaman. A nice soft pandesal with cheese spread mixed with the savory taste of pimiento with bits of the cherry pepper giving an additional luscious texture to the snack.

For sweet treats, the turon with a twist, to be specific a turon with chocnut. A good combination of nutty and chocolaty flavor, mushy banana, and the strong taste of a gummy jackfruit - perfect merienda in Tagaytay.

Finally the Leche Flan Flavored Bibingka, a Christmas treat with a twist. A soft and fluffy bibingka with a smoky flavor and a not-so-sweet milky taste and creamy texture of leche flan. A good combination to the tablea drinks.

Kuuma Kakao provides a café experiences centering our traditional Filipino comfort food. From a whole road teeming with restaurants and cafés specializing in various cuisines, Kuuma Kakao stands out for its affordability, view, and unique twists to recognizable dishes. For these reasons Kuuma Kakao will be a good addition to a Tagaytay itinerary.