Looking For Bicol's Pili? - Gretchen Filart

Here’s a short and straight answer: Albay Pilinut Candy (formerly New Albay Central Pilinut Candy).

If there’s a nut Bicol is best known for, it’s pili. And this two-storey family business along Rizal Avenue in the Old Albay District has been dishing out toothsome pili nut confections since 1936.

Raw shelled pili from the Albay Pilinut Candy. Super fresh. No kidding.

Prices are mostly double the generic ones you’ll find in the Daraga Market and the Legazpi Airport, but as the region’s pioneer pili candy factory, I tell you, they don’t kid when they say it’s export quality. Taste and packaging-wise, you (and souvenir recipients) won’t be disappointed. A photo board on the wall showcasing celebs who have shopped for edible souvenirs here is a testimonial to that. Ya-meee Coco Martin included.

Got the yema pili (P70 per pack of 6) and the polvoron pili (P90 per pack of 8). It sounds quite a lot but the taste really does speak volumes. The pili is generous and fillings are not too sweet. If you’re unconvinced, you can always try the free candy samples first. They offer those to all customers, no purchasing obligation required.

Yema pili. Pili’s nearly as large as the cushiony yema!

Other pili candy varieties include roasted, salted, crispy with honey, as well as sesame-coated ones.

Raw shelled pili nuts are also available, and surprisingly at 50 percent less than the selling value at Legazpi Airport. Purchased 1/4 kilo for only P150. A kilo sells for only P500. But 1/4 was actually beyond sufficient already; I was able to share them as pasalubong for four people.

Or you could buy keychains and ref magnets at the Daraga Market.