What is the difference between turon and lumpia? At first glance, turon and lumpia appear similar—both are iconic Filipino snacks featuring a thin wrapper fried to a golden crisp. Yet, despite their shared form, they represent two different worlds of flavor.
However, for Filipinos, there’s a delicious and clear distinction between the two. Simply put, all turon can be considered a type of lumpia, but not all lumpia are turon. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the unique characteristics of these two snacks.
What is Lumpia?
Lumpia (Filipino spring rolls), originating from the Chinese spring roll, is one of the most popular delicacies in the Philippines. Its core concept is a filling wrapped in a thin pancake, which is then deep-fried or occasionally eaten fresh.
Lumpia is a large family of rolls with a wide variety of fillings, but they can be divided into two main categories:
Fresh lumpia: Similar to Vietnamese spring rolls, these rolls have a soft, unfried pancake wrapper filled with fresh vegetables and meat, often served with a special sauce.
Fried lumpia: This is the most common form. Fillings can be either savory or sweet. Savory fillings typically include ground meat and vegetables (such as bean sprouts, carrots, and onions), while sweet fillings are primarily fruit-based.
What is Turon in the Philippines?
Turon (banana spring roll) is a specific, sweet Filipino spring roll. Its definition is very clear:
Core filling: Banana is the star attraction, typically using the Filipino Saba banana (a cooking banana with a firm and sweet texture). Sliced bananas are coated in brown sugar for a sweet and caramelized texture.
Signature Ingredient: In addition to bananas, authentic Turon almost always includes a jack fruit. The jack fruit adds a unique aroma and an extra layer of sweetness that is the heart of Turon.
Appearance: During the frying process, the outer layer of sugar melts and forms a shiny, crispy caramelized crust, giving Turon a darker and glossier appearance than the typical savory Lumpia.
Key Differences Between Turon and Lumpia
1.Turon (Banana Spring Roll)
- Filling Type: Sweet. Primarily made with Saba bananas and jack fruit, it’s a dessert or snack.
- Core Ingredient: Bananas are essential. Without bananas, it wouldn’t be a Turon.
- Texture and Appearance: The outer layer has a distinct caramelized crunch, giving it a firmer, crispier texture.
- Conceptual Relationship: A specific subcategory of Lumpia.
2.Lumpia (like meat-filled spring rolls)
- Filling Type: Mostly savory. Common fillings include pork, chicken, shrimp, and vegetables. It’s served as a main course or appetizer.
- Core Ingredient: The ingredients vary, with no fixed core, depending on the recipe.
- Texture and Appearance: The outer layer is crispy, but because it doesn’t contain a lot of sugar, it has a relatively light and fluffy texture.
- Conceptual Relationship: An umbrella term encompassing spring rolls with various fillings, including Turon.
If you’re looking to mass-produce these two products, here are some recommended equipment.