What's new at Food Expo?

The first trade exhibit we went to this year was the Philippine Food Expo, 2011 at the usual venue, the World Trade Center. We got there on its last day which was not as busy as the first two days. The crowd was thinning and therefore we had more elbow room to move around. Exhibitors at the 2011 Food Expo were mostly based outside of Manila and a lot of them are open to franchising. We noted quite a lot of new products and companies.

The following caught our attention – Sweet Sorghum Vinegar distributed by Apamin Enterprises (cell no. 0916-4663017). This is produced from the juice of sorghum stalk, naturally fermented into vinegar. It is supposed to have medicinal benefits. Kape di Mutit of Kalinga Brew (0928-6616691) is what is popularly known as civet coffee, sold in packets, ready-to-drink, just add water. For snackers, there’s Soyami Soya chips, another item professing guilt-free snack time. They come in different flavors such as chili garlic and basil. Sweet and Fit sweetener is made from a small bush called stevia which belongs to the sunflower family. This has been awarded as the best organic-based sweetener in 2009-2010.

Tilapia Crunch reminds us of the baby tilapia raised by a friend in her farm in Antipolo. The young tilapias are deboned, lightly salted and distributed by Keno Foods (tel. (044) 768-8115). The company has quite a number of outlets in the country. Ketsup Pinoy Inc. obviously produces the equivalent of catsup. Based in San Pablo City, their line also includes other sauces under a collection called Lola Panyang.

 An interesting story is behind the Organikka products. The housewife from Biñan, Laguna who formed the company, like other mothers, was having difficulty making her children eat vegetables. She decided to make them into juice, a drink that became a favorite of her youngsters and also became popular with their classmates and friends. This encouraged her to do some research on juice making, at the same time, bearing in mind that natural food is best for health. Thus was born in 2006 Organikka juice made from bittergourd (ampalaya), moringa (malunggay), carrot and squash. To make this pleasant to taste, raw honey and organic citrus are added to the formulation. Today they also sell organic pork and chicken, eggs and even vitamin C and Fiber Jam. These are available at South Supermarket or call (049) 502-0654.

At the South Supermarket and some other big stores, you’d find Wescobee cider vinegar with honey. This is an Australian product distributed here by Prestige. Honey has been dubbed the wonder tonic. Its health value has been appreciated years and years ago, even by the cave dwellers. Apple cider, on the other hand, contains acids that kill germs. Combined, they become more potent in combating some health problems. For inquiries, call 727-5287 or visit the Display Center, 3rd floor, Sakai Center in Ortigas.

Considering the Lenten season has set in, the enterprising team at Binalot has come up with a selection of fish offerings using bangus (milk fish). The variants are ala pobre, steak, lumpia, with tausi, and sisig. Prices are between P75 and P95. Each “binalot” (in banana leaf) includes rice, itlog na maalat (red egg) and tomatoes. We remember having met one of the young men involved in the company when they were just starting. They had only a few outlets then. Today, we see a lot more Binalot branches with their attractive signage. They are all conveniently located where those wanting quick, reasonably priced and substantial meals can pick up their desired meals. Bangus, in any form is always delicious.

Whether you are cooking or collecting a prepared meal, enjoy your Sunday!

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