Coffee chain testing homegrown beans

CEBU, Philippines - Homegrown coffee shop brand Coffee Dream is developing a specialty blend from coffee beans produced by farmers in Tuburan, Cebu.

"We are still  testing and tasting the beans," said Coffee Dream president Glenn Anthony Soco in an interview yesterday.

If the Tuburan robusta coffee will have good commercial "bite", Coffee Dream plans to create a dedicated specialty blend that will be made available in all Coffee Dream outlets nationwide.

Although the local coffee chain has been using beans from coffee-producing communities around the country, it has yet to source coffee beans grown within Cebu province, Soco said.

Through the sample beans provided by the  town officials led by mayor Aljun Diamante,  Soco, together with members of the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) were able to taste the fresh coffee blend from the northern Cebu town.

Soco, who is also the president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said there is a high potential for the Tuburan coffee to make it in the commercial landscape.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has identified the Tuburan coffee industry as a potential driver of inclusive growth that will increase the income of the poor in the area.  Through its Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-poverty Program (ASAPP), NEDA is giving a boost to the local coffee industry by giving technical assistance on coffee production, coffee handling practices, and post-harvest facilities.

The agency also provided coffee seedlings and funds for fertilizers as well as facilities for coffee bean grinding/processing.

The Tuburan coffee industry covers 2,800 hectares in 16 barangays and benefits 900 farmers.

In a separate interview, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry likewise expressed interest to be involved in the development of coffee farming in Cebu.

CCCI president Melanie Ng said that the chamber,with its strong network here and abroad,could easily link the local coffee growers with experts and other groups in terms of market access, technological know-how, among others.

Although the chamber officers have yet to convene on this particular subject, Ng sees good opportunity for the coffee growers to improve and increase their production capacity, thereby helping the Philippine regain its position as one of the world's top coffee producers.

The Philippines produces four variety of coffee beans: the commercially-viable Arabica, Liberica (Barako), Excelsa and Robusta. Climatic and soil conditions in the Philippines — from the lowland to mountain regions — make the country suitable for all four varieties. (BANAT NEWS)