The Rarest Wild Raspberry Of The Philippines

Sampinit is probably the rarest and most unpopular fruit in the Philippines that you will only hear it from either the mountaineers who had already climb the abundant Mount Cristobal or the locals in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, where said mountain stand. In addition, the most popular search engines show only a few articles or posts talking up sampinit.

This fruit is only available in a short period, specifically during summer so it is kind of expensive compared to other tropical fruits. Plus, due to the way it is being harvested; it requires extra effort. Enduring the scorching heat of the sun and and getting past the thorny trees surrounding Mt. Cristobal are more than enough of that extra effort.

The locals prefer to gormandize this fruit straight from the bush which I also did when I ate some during our “take 5” on that part of the mountain where these wild raspberries sprout like grass in farms. According to our guide, sampinit is actually tastier when it is added with a bit of salt or when you let it sit on the salt for a few minutes. The reason is, the salt penetrating through its textured skin brings out more of that berry juices–slowly. The latter is a common way of eating sampinit in Laguna.

Sampinit tastes a bit sour like a ripe tamarind yet saccharine. It is smaller and more delicate compared to the commercially available raspberries.

I was fortunate I got a photo of this wild raspberry, which I now consider one of Mount Cristobal’s  most precious treasures, last 06 March 2011 when I and my hiking buddies summited said mountain.

Update: “Weed No More: A New Breed of Wonder Fruit”

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