Every summer, for only a short season, the forests of Ilocos offer abuos, the edible brood of weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), locally known as hantik.
Often called the “caviar of Ilocos,” abuos has a soft, creamy texture similar to roe, with a delicate pop when eaten. Harvesting it is another story. Weaver ants build nests by joining leaves high in the trees, and gatherers must navigate the forest and endure the ants’ painful bites to reach them.
In this episode of 82 Provinces, we follow a seasoned harvester to understand the skill and knowledge behind this fleeting harvest before bringing abuos home for a simple meal.
Special thanks to:
Archie Omnes
Anita Omnes
Erwan’s food trip in Ilocos: https://youtu.be/_WWi7oCZjj0
