MANILA, Philippines - Among the high-quality, sustainably grown and healthy organic food (slow food) showcased in South Korea’s Slow Food Asia Pacific Festival, the Philippines’s very own organic food exports attracted the keen interest of the attendees.
Due to the strong demand for espresso coffee among Korean consumers, hundreds of international buyers and food connoisseurs marveled at the organically cultivated indigenous coffee, coffee nibs and coffee powder presented by Pacita U. Juan, president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Coffee Board Inc.
Moreover, Philippine adlai was seen as an interesting product because of its unique taste and versatility in various food preparations. Adlai, which is also known as Job’s Tear, comes from the same family of wheat, corn and rice.
It can be boiled and eaten like rice or added to stew and soups. Alternatively, ground adlai can be used as flour for baking or fermented to produce beer and wine.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has been promoting adlai as an alternative staple food to rice. Subanen farmers in the Zamboanga Peninsula are practicing cultivation of it as it may be an additional substitute food crop for the food self-sufficiency program of government.
Other indigenous organic products highlighted at the Philippines’s booth are Benguet Arabica and Batangas coffee, cocoa powder from Batangas, red long grain rice from Kalinga, heirloom rice from Ifugao, Adlai (Job’s Tear), bilimbi fruits (kamias), calamondin (kalamansi) juice, small chilis (siling labuyo), moringa (malunggay), virgin coconut oil, turmeric ginger lemon tea and flower tea.
Beijing-based Philippine agricultural counselor Victoriano Leviste led the Philippine delegation, which comprised of officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Philippine agricultural producers.
The festival was created due to the increasing number of fastfood chains. It aims to highlight sustainably grown agricultural products of small-scale farmers and to encourage the general public to embrace a sustainable and healthier lifestyle.