MANILA, Philippines — This season of Kakanins and sweets definitely go well with teas and coffees.
There is nothing as complementary as pairing one’s preferred brew with cakes, pastries and Bibingka (Filipino rice cake or Kakanin).
While the holiday is in full swing, there are some coffee and tea offerings in the metro that coffee and tea lovers might want to check out for their merienda in between their predictably full breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Chocnut coffee and Bibingka pairing
Chocnut and Bibingka are two indulgent Filipino flavors, and when they are paired together, they create a dance of sweet and a little bit salty on the palate.
Bo’s Coffee, the proudly Filipino brand that was started by Cebuano Steve Benitez in 1996, is introducing its Chocnut Series in partnership with the renowned Filipino confectionery brand.
At Bo’s locations, coffee lovers who are looking for nostalgia can order a cup of Choc Nut Mocha Froccino, Iced Choc Nut Latte, and Hot Choc Nut Latte to go with its popular Bibingka Cheesecake and Mini Bibingkas.
The Filipino brand added two more Filipino-inspired cakes to pair with their coffees: Puto Bumbong Cheesecake and Halo-Halo Cake. These also go well with its returning Dark Mocha Macadamia Froccino.
“We wanted to feature the flavors we all enjoy during the holiday season,” said Rachel Fallarme, Bo’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Paskong Pinoy is an annual tradition for us, and this year is no different because there's truly no Christmas like a Filipino Christmas. The warmth, joy, and togetherness we celebrate with friends and family is unmatched anywhere in the world. Our cakes and drinks are meant to bring comfort and happiness as part of this cherished tradition.”
The Filipino brand champions its own roots by sourcing its beans from local farms in the Philippines found in the regions of Sagada, Benguet, Bukidnon and Davao.
“Each cup of Bo’s coffee highlights beans from across the Philippines, from the mountains of Sagada in the North to the highlands of Mt. Apo and Mt. Matutum in the South. Our goal is to put Philippine coffee on the global map because we believe our beans are world-class,” Fallarme said.
Bo’s Coffee currently has 136 locations in the country and 20 in the Middle East. It is looking to expand by opening its first store in Greater Toronto Area in Canada in 2025.
RTD Korean-inspired coffee pouches
The Hallyu influence is still strong in the country obssessed with everything Korean — from dramas, K-pop, beauty products, and food.
Who would not be persuaded when every Korean dramas feature either or all of their nation’s products happily being used or consumed by their top K-drama stars?
It is no wonder that Filipino food processing company NutriAsia has recently introduced Korean-inspired ready-to-drink coffees, tea and ades that come in pouches.
The configuration is no suprise as pouched drinks or coffee are quite the rage in South Korea.
NutriAsia introduced its Chingu Cafe pouches, which are produced, packed and imported from South Korea.
The pouches’ friendly format (after all chingu means friend in Korean) is quite pleasing to the eyes that come in colorful design featuring adorabe characters.
Its initial variants include familiar and popular flavors, Vanilla Latte, Caramel Latte and Hazelnut Americano.
There are also pouches for non-coffee drinkers, with flavors such as Green Grape Ade, inspired by the Korean shine muscat grapes; Peach Iced Tea; and Matcha Latte.
The coffee and matcha pouches retail for P55, while the ades and tea for P40 in online shopping platforms and leading supermakets and convenience stores.
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