This is both an exciting and a frustrating time for the Philippine food industry. There is the excitement of many entrepreneurs coming forward with truly global quality products while at the same time there is the frustration of shortages from major food companies.
***
There is the excitement of many entrepreneurs coming forward with truly global quality products while at the same time there is the frustration of shortages from major food companies.
For other companies, the demand for their products is exceeding their ability to supply. Many well known brands such as Skyflakes and Lucky Me are over a month behind in supplying their orders. It is becoming common to wait four months for goods that used to take two months to arrive.
***
Australia has strict guidelines on the ingredients allowed in food products. In the Philippine food items, such as chips, are often fortified to help ensure people get sufficient nutrients. Many of these additives are not allowed in products in Australia because most people get sufficient nutrients from their daily diet. This is why some popular products such as Granny Goose are not available.
***
Now for the good news and there is a lot of it.
As mentioned at the outset of the article, there are many world class products coming from new start ups in the Philippines.
Most of the products we reviewed recently would stack up to any premium brand in the world and what is most interesting is that they are a reflection of the growing number of social entrepreneurs coming to the foreground in the Philippines.
***
JA Lees Farms has come up with an Organic Oyster Mushroom Chicharon that has impressed everyone who has tried it. It comes in Original, Garlic and Spicy flavours. http://www.jaleesfarms.com/
***
Benito from Kayumanggi Organics was very persistent that we look at their exciting range of products and hopefully Australia will be the better for it. We were attracted to their display by the sight of their Wild Ginger Tea. This led to the discovery of Rustique Cacao which is a mixture of cacao and raw coconut sugar which we can’t wait to see here in Australia. Hopefully everyone will get an opportunity to try the Golden Nectar which is a pure raw coconut nectar mixed with fresh ginger & turmeric. Benito and his team have many more products you can view at www.kayumanggiorganics.com
***
If you ever get to meet Catherine from First Harvest you will have met someone I greatly admire for her persistence and drive which I believe will do abundant good for her fellow Filipinos.
I couldn’t find the words to describe the Salted Coco Caramel so I simply stole this from their website.
“Salted Coco Caramel is First Harvest’s take on the Asian heritage recipe – the coco jam. Balanced with salt and swirled with the aromatic flavor of sesame seeds, Salted Coco Caramel brandishes a surprising flavor that is unlike the regular coco jam.” http://firstharvest.ph/
***
There are many more outstanding start up companies throughout the Philippines. I hope to be able to talk about some of the others in the future but in the meantime
why not go to the websites of these companies and check them out.
