from the Spanish tablear (meaning: to level or to divide into small plots)
flat chocolate rounds
Tablea is manufactured in rolls which are cut crosswise to make thick coin-like shapes. The pieces are used to make hot chocolate drinks and the Filipino rice porridge tsamporado.
A popular brand of tableya in the Philippines is Sikwate, from the town of San Isidro in the province of Davao del Norte. Notice the similarity to the Tagalog word tsokolate. In fact, sikwate is the generic word that Visayan speakers use for a local hot-chocolate drink.
The company Sikwate markets its product as “Chokolate de San Isidro. Pure Dark Cocoa Tablets. All Natural. No Preservatives.” Their tagline is: Darker is better. Sikwate‘s chocolate tablets are processed from 100% premium cacao beans, roasted and then packed in traditionally crafted banana paper.
Another popular maker of tableya in the Philippines is Lola Andrea.
In the United States, you can buy Antonio Pueo Cacao on Amazon.
KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
tablíya: pinatigas na butó ng kakaw na sinangag, giniling, hinulma, at pinatuyô
tablia, tabliang, tableyang, tableang
