SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine coconut will take the spotlight at the coming 40th Winter Fancy Food Show slated at the Moscone Convention Center in here on January 11-13, 2015.
The healthy and natural coconut and its various applications and food by-products will be the focus of Philippine promotion by Food Philippines, a branding initiative that unifies the overseas promotional efforts of CITEM, the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This national brand positions the Philippines as one of the world’s top exporters of fresh fruits and marine products.
Famous for its coconuts with a distinct flavor and texture, the Philippines is considered the world’s leading supplier of coconut products and the second top coconut-producing country.
Food Philippines will also bring specialty food products with approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), fair trade, organic, kosher and halal certifications at the Winter Fancy Food Show, the West Coast’s largest specialty food and beverage event.
The Philippine coconut fits the global need for 100-percent healthy and natural food products, attracting both trade and businesses from around the world. The palm’s food and non-food uses diversified over the years, enabling this palm to gain the distinction of being called the “tree of life.” Among the food products from the coconut are the virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut sugar, coconut fiber and coconut meat (copra), among others.
Export statistics show that coconut products are consistently among the country’s top 10 merchandise exports. Volumes of coconut-based products exported from the Philippines averaged 1.8 million metric tons during the last 10 years. The data also show average value of those exports totaled nearly US$1.3 billion during that.
“We are very happy with the wide acceptance and appreciation of the Philippines’ specialty food products by the buyers and visitors of the last edition of Winter Fancy Food Show,” said Rosvi Gaetos, executive director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). “This 2015, we will make Food Philippines more exciting, highlighting the distinct flavor and texture of the Philippine coconut,” she added.
Coconut water is growing in popularity not only in the US, but also worldwide as a healthy beverage and an alternative to the sugar-loaded soda and energy drinks. This has drawn global attention to the Philippines, being the second-largest source of best-tasting, high-quality coconut water.
The drink has natural benefits and lack chemical preservatives. It is rich in potassium and magnesium and contains a considerable amount of vitamin B, which aims in strengthening the muscles, delaying fatigue and maintaining normal heart function. It also has the ability to clear up and moisturize the skin from within, aids in the prevention of indigestion, boosts hydration, reduces blood pressure, and dissolves urinary stones.
virgin coconut oil, considered by health experts as the crème de la crème of coconut oils, is made in the Philippines from fresh and young coconuts. According to nutritionist and Coconut Research Center president Bruce Fife, famously known as “Dr. Coconut,” in his book The Coconut Oil Miracle, health benefits of coconut oil include the prevention of heart, colon, pancreatic, and liver tumors, improving digestion, reduction of health risks associated with diabetes, osteoporosis, heart, kidney and gallbladder diseases, and prevention of obesity and overweight problems, among others.
Coconut oil is usually extracted from coconut meat through smoke drying, sun drying, or kiln drying, refining, bleaching and deodorizing. It is the most commonly used oil in food processing and cosmetics. It is the most readily digested of all the fats of general use in the world, providing about 9,500 calories of energy per kilogram.
Other by-products derived from coconut meat are coconut flour, desiccated coconut, coconut milk, and coconut chips. Philippines’ heritage food products like the country’s popular delicacies and cuisine, which are integral to the Filipino food culture, are usually made with these coconut by-products as ingredients.
Organized by CITEM and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Philippine participation in the Winter Fancy Food Show is one of DTI’s major efforts to intensify the promotion of Philippine specialty food products in overseas trade shows.
The 16-member core group of participants will bring 100 percent healthy, natural, organic and heritage foods such as products derived from coconut, mango, banana, pineapple and other tropical fruits, herbal teas, nuts, sauces and condiments, cocoa and coffee, delicacies and confectioneries, to be showcased at the South Hall, Booth No. 3029.
For inquiries and to schedule appointments for one-on-one meetings, please contact the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley at 1 (415) 773-2336/ 1 (408) 980-9637 or email pdtisf@aol.com/ptic-sv@phllippinecentersf.com.
RELATED STORY
PH food exhibitors make a splash at ’14 Winter Fancy Food Show in SF
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
To subscribe to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper in the Philippines, call +63 2 896-6000 for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu or email your subscription request here.
Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:
c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City,Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94
