Guapple pie, 1 slice
Guapple pie is a baked confection that is especially popular in the island of Negros in the Philippines. It is particularly known in Bacolod City and its surrounding areas, and is characterized by the use of “guapple”—a large variety of guava cultivated locally—as its main ingredient. Based on the Western-style apple pie, guapple pie consists of pastry dough filled with a guava pulp filling and baked until golden brown, offering a fruity aroma and a unique flavor. It is commonly served at traditional local bakeries and is a popular dessert among both tourists and local residents.
- Taste Rating
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Since it’s a red fruit, its appearance is a bit striking, but it has a sweet custard-like aroma and the scent and texture reminiscent of apple pie. The subtle sweetness of guava is complemented by a sophisticated tartness, resulting in a perfectly balanced taste.
- Price
- 50 Philippine Peso
- Meal Date
- 4/29/2025
- Food Travel Log
- Heading north from Bacolod to Silay in search of the ultra-rare Filipino dessert, Guapple Pie! This pastry was developed by El Ideal, a bakery with over a hundred years of history. To put it simply, it's an apple pie version made with guava. It's a custard apple pie with the sweet and tangy taste of guava added, making for a unique and sophisticated flavor. It's a shame that the pie looks a bit crumbled in this photo.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Guapple pie is a traditional Filipino confection, especially beloved in Bacolod City and surrounding towns of Negros Island. The name "guapple" is a portmanteau of guava and apple; in reality, a particular variety of guava (Psidium guajava) is distributed in the Philippines under this name. The main feature of this pie is the adaptation of the classic apple pie technique, substituting guava pulp for apples in its preparation.
Origin and History
Guapple pie originated at El Ideal Bakery in Silay City, located in the northern part of Negros Island, Philippines. This well-established bakery was founded in the 1920s and has long offered both Western and uniquely Filipino baked goods. Guapple pie was developed as a means to make effective use of locally grown guavas. Guava is one of the fruits that thrives in the warm Philippine climate, and its vibrant color and distinctive flavor make it well-suited for baking. El Ideal's guapple pie enjoys high popularity among tourists and locals alike in the area around Silay and Bacolod.
Ingredients and Preparation
Traditional guapple pie consists primarily of guava, wheat flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk. Some recipes enhance richness and mellowness by adding custard cream. The guava pulp is simmered to become jelly-like and moist, producing a distinctive balance of sweetness and tartness. Crumble toppings are often used, and the contrast between the guava filling layered on baked pie crust and the crumble is a highlight.
Flavors and Food Culture
Guapple pie offers a complex aroma and flavor, distinctly different from ordinary apple pie, achieved by combining the fruity, mildly tart taste unique to guava with the sweetness of sugar and dairy. The pie is also visually striking, with the pink of the guava filling contrasting against the golden-brown pastry. The texture combines a crisp crust with a silky yet slightly sticky filling. In Silay and its environs, El Ideal's guapple pie is enjoyed as a souvenir for tourists and as a special dessert for locals on festive occasions.
Guava and Its Nutritional Value
Guava contains abundant vitamin C and potassium, and is also known for its high dietary fiber and antioxidant content (such as lycopene and polyphenols). In the Philippines, guava has long been used not only fresh but also in juices, jams, and various sweets. When guava is used in pies, the cooking process mellows its flavor, drawing out new appeals as a dessert.
Related Confectionery and Regional Characteristics
Guapple pie represents an example of fusion between Western baked goods traditions, such as apple pie and crumble pie, and the local fruit culture of the Philippines. Many other similar sweets using indigenous fruits—like banana pies and mango pies—are also prevalent in the Philippines, reflecting a unique pie culture tailored to the local climate and region. Among these, guapple pie is distinguished by its balanced blend of "Western confectionery" charm and local character.
Current Popularity and Availability
Guapple pie is rarely found outside of local long-established bakeries like El Ideal in northern Negros Island, and its distribution even domestically and abroad is extremely limited. For this reason, it is often regarded as a "rare treat" and is a much-sought-after item for travelers visiting the region.